Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-05-03


any of our plans slip, you'll be caught
with the rest of us. You know what
chance a drunken Usage d stand be-
fore a judge, don't YOU? Well--take
care then---take care."
The Indian rode silently. They
ominous warning further depressed
him, and the fear weighed heavier.
What il they were caught? Would
they hang him?
And what of Hardy? He was de-
pending on Streak TO stop Gilbrignt--
and Streak was going back TO kiheka
at trot, abandoning his great chance,
delaying the break with Kennedy. II
Hardy failed as well, Lon Gilbrieht
would ride. to his death at Crooked
Ford. 1t was certain as the hills
Then Kennedy uttered a snarl that
shot a chill through him.
All Don't think I'm not on to you"
he jeered, voice laden with baleful ac.
cusation. Don't think haven't found
out some things.
What was that note you took to
Hardy from Sears?"
Il don't know
Don't know. Don't know. You
drunken pup-take that"
And he swung his qurt vicously.
1t aimed at Little Foots hanging
head, but the movement of his horse
under him spoiled Kennedy's balance.
The singing lash cut sharply across
the face of the big sorrel horse.
With snort Of pain and surprise
the beast recoiled. rising high on his
hind legs and whirlng about. Little
Foot rose in the stirrups and fell for
ward into the name with shout OF
anger
And. catching the earth with his
forefeet again, the splendid animal
gathered and sprang-to be away
from that thing which had stung him
without reason.
Once. twice. thrice-he leaped. No
OBTAINING hand on the bits. No word
I
headquarters far forward and flung
his heels out with vigor that shot
his sleek body through the night,
swifter and swfter.
For the first tine in his life the
sorrel had been struck a cruel blow,
and from his fright, his anger. deyel.
oped such speed as Little Foot had
never seen before.
They seemed not TO touch ground
so smooth was the running of the
horse; it was like flying, only faster
than the birds, infinitely faster, it
seemed to the Indian boy.
For a breath he remained inert
passive, letting the sorrel have his
will. Then he raised his shoulders
and his mouth opened in surprise
"Hyah!" he cried "Hyah,"
Why face consequences now? Why
fear Kennedy this moment? What
could that gray do? What could any
other animal on the reservation dc
beside this thing which slipped and
rippled and raced under him?
In flash those dreams of satiated
vanity were all back. And more: He
had defied Kennedy, though by sheer
accident; this break had come when
face to face, and about it was some
thing notwithstanding that had
been lacking before.
"Hyah. Streak go." he cried
and sat back in the saddle to laugh
wildly into the night.
He was safe for the moment he
might yet fail, Hardy's plans might
crumbe, but surely Kennedy could be
defied now. In the night hours hi,
chance of delverance from the white
man remained
And Kennedy, after racing his gray
horse scant hundred yards, pulled W
with cruel jerkings and sharp oaths.
He was outpointed. His grip or
the Indian had slippedand he won
dered, he wondered! A clammy doubt
crept up in him as he sat there on hi
motionless horse, waiting, listening
considering.
! Had Fate turned against him? Was
his veil of secrecy punctured? Hat
some one seen, some one OWNED his
trickery?
He whimpered aloud at the thought
and, lashng his mount with the qpir
that had set Little Foot of again, hi
rode hard for town, fearful Of whn
might wait, yet powerless to tarry.
His refuge OF deception, once
pierced disintegrated with friehtfu
rapidly. As he swung into the mafr
road Just beyond the Indian camp an
other rider stormed toward him. 1
was Hardy he recognized thu
swinging gait of the big bay single
fOoter and with cry of disma,
Kennedy ripped open his coat.
Was the whole world against hin
now? Had his luck completely van
ished? Was he cornered?
He stopped not to consider tha
Hardys errand might be one unrelat
ed to him. He was keyed for snap judg
ment, and formed it.