Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-12-12
CHAPTER XVI.
We Accept a Refugee.

We Accept Refugee.
I looked again at the thing with a
fresh curiosity, yet with no direct
thought of any connection. The un-
disguised terror manifest in her face,
however, caused me to realize the sud-
den suspicion which this discovery
had aroused.
'That means nothing" I insisted,
taking the pin back into my own pos
session. 'It is probably the emblem
of some secret order, and there may be
thousands Of them scattered about.
Anyhow this one never belonged to Joe
Kirby. He could never have been here.
My guess is the fellow is back at Yel-
low Banks before now. Forget it,
Eloise, while we eat. Then few
hours sleep will restore your nerves;
you are all worn out"
We had nearly completed the meal,
seated around what remained of the
shattered table. The boy Asa sat at
the very end of the table, facing the
open door, eating as though he had
not tasted food for a week. From the
time Of sitting down he had scarcely
raised his eyes from off the pewter
plate before him; but at last this was
emptied, and he lifted his head, to
stare out through the open door. Into
his face came a look of dumb, in
articulate fright, as his lips gave ut
terance to one cry Of warning.
'Iooki Look'
With swift turn Of the head saw
what he meant-a man on horseback,
riding at a savage gait up the trail,
directly for the cabin, bent so low in
the saddle his features could not be
discerned. but, from his clothing, un-
questionably white. was without the
door, Tim beside me rifle in hand,
when the fellow swept around the base
Of the oak, still staring behind him, as
though in fright of pursuers, and fog
ging his straining horse with the end
of a rein. He appeared fairly crazed
with fear, unaware in his blind terror
of the close proximity of the cabin.
Hold onl" 1 yelled, springing for
ward, my arms thrown up, directly in
the animals course. "Stop, you fool "
I know not whether the frantic
horse checked itself, or if the rider
drew rein, but the beast stopped, half
rearing, and I gazed with amazement
into the revealed face of the mamie
was Joe Kirby. Before l could speak,
or move. he burst into words.
"Youi Knoxi My God, man, who.
ever you are, don't refuse me shelter p
shelter? From what?" my hand
closing on a pistol butt.
indians Be merciful, for Gods
sake. They are there in the valley
they are after me. just escaped
them-they were going to burn me al
the stakew
1 glanced aside at Tim; his rifle wa:
flung forward. Then I looked quickly
back at the man, who had already
dropped from his horse, and seemed
scarcely able to stand. Was this true
had he ridden here unknowing whom
he would meet, with no other though
but to save his life? Heaven know
he looked the part-his swarthy fac
dirtied, with a stain of blood on on
cheek, his shirt ripped into rags, bare
!. headed, and with look of terror Il
his eyes not to be mistaken. Villai
and savage as knew him to be, 1 stil
: felt strange wave of pity sweep m
pity and tenderness, mingled wit
hatred and distrust.
> Kirby" I said, and strobe in bt
tween him and Tins leveled weapon
/, There is no friendship between US
+ now, or at any time. 1 believe you
n be a miserable, snarling dog; but
n would save even a cur from Indian to
J. ture. Did you know we were here%
@ "No, so help me God. 1 saw tt
$ cabin, and hoped to find help"
| "The savages are following you"
q "Yes-yes; seel Look down thel
q there are half a hundred Of IL
q devils, and-and Black Hawk"
1. "By the holy smoke, Cap. he's rigl
10 there they are!" sung out Kenned
a pointing excitedly. "The cuss amt
a- lyin'. What'll we do?"
,s / saw them also by this time, n
a mind in q whirl of indecision. VIII
ID should we do? What ought we to d,
We should have to fight to the death.
r there was no doubt of that. An 6
tempt to get away was manifestly IL
possible. But what about this ren
m gade, this Internal scoundrel, this he
N hound who had been trailing US to
,e and destroy? Should we turn him ba
IS now to his deserved fate. or should '
ii offer him the same chance for life ,
had? He might fight; he might a
~ one rifle to our defense; he might he
US to hold out until rescuers can
2" And dthen-then-aftert that-we cot
m settle our score. Tins voice broke
re silence.
he II reckon we amt got much tim
90 he said grimly. Its one thing, 'er
ty other. I'm fer givin' the d. begg
be chanct. 1 can't turn no white m
IT. over ter Injuns-not me. Kirby's {