Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-12-19

awaited them rifles in hand and with
an ample supply Of powder and lead.
Whatever might be the final result,
surprise Of no pleasant nature was
awaiting their advance.
Convinced, as 1 had become, that
Black Hawk was actually with the
party, although was unable to obtain
any glimpse of him, felt there was
small chance Of his departure, without
making at least one effort to capture
the cabin. That was his nature, his
reputation-that of bulldog to hang
on, tiger to strike. More, even, this
band of raiders must be far south of |
the main body of the Hawks follow
ers, and hence in danger themselves. |
They would never remain here long,
facing the possibility of discovery, of |
having their retreat cut off. If they |
attacked the attempt would not be |
long delayed.
Still there was nothing left to do
but wait. We were already as COM
pletely prepared as possible with our
resources.
The main assault would undoubtedly
be delivered from the front, directed
against the door, the only point where
they could hope to break in. Here
Tim and myself held our positions, as
ready as we could be for any emer-
gency, and watchful of the slightest
movement without. Tim had even
brought up the half-keg of coarse pow
der from the cellar, and rolled it into
one corner out of the way. His only
explanation was, grim reply to my
question, that sit mought be mighty
handy ter hav' round afore the fracus
wus DONE" There was no fear in
Eloise, no shrinking, no evidence of
cowardice. Not once did I feel the
need of giving her word of, encour-
agement-even as / glanced toward
her it was to perceive the gleam of a
pistol gripped in her hand. She was
of the old French fighting stock,
which never fails.
| Against the log wall few yards
away, Kirby strained at his blanket
bonds, and had at last succeeded in
lifting himself up far enough so as
to stare about the room. There was
none of the ordinary calm Of the
gambler about the fellow now-all the
pitiless hate, and love of revenge
which belonged to his wild Indian
blood blazed in his eyes. He glared
at me in sudden, impotent rage.
"You think you've got me, do your
he cried, scowling across; then an ugly
grin distorted his thin lips. "Not yet
you haven't, you soldier dog. I've got
some cards left to play in this game,
you young fool. What did you butt
in for anyway? This was none of your
affair. D you, Knox, do you know
who she is? 1 mean that white-faced
chit over there-do you know who
she is? She's my wife; do you hear
my wifel I've got the papers. d.
you'll She's mine mime; and / am
going to have her long after you're
dead-yes, and the whole d. Beau
caire, property with her. By G.! you
talk about fighting-why there are fifty
Indians out here. Wait till they find
out what has happened to me. Oh,
I'll watch you die at the stake, you
sneaking white cur, and spit in your
facet"
''Kirby," I said sternly, but, quietly,
stepping directly across toward him
you are prisoner, and helpless, but
am going to tell you now to hold
your tongue. Otherwise you will never
see me at the stake, because I shall
blow your brains out where you lie.'
"You dare not do"
"And why not? 1t will rid the girl Of
, you, and that means something to me
and her. Just try me, and see."
: He must have read the grim mean
J ing in my face, for he fell back agains
i the log, muttering incoherently, hi.
dark eyes wells Of hate, his face {
, picture of malignancy, but utterl!
, helpless-the lurking coward in him
unable to face my threat. I left hin
and stopped above her.
: "We shall be busy presently; the de
: lay cannot be much longer. I an
:, afraid that fellow may succeed some
, how in doing us harm. He is craze,
enough to attempt anything May
I trust you to guard him?"
a Her eyes. absolutely fearless and dl
rect. looked straight up into mine.
eyes, he will make no movement
e shall not see. Tell me; do you believ
e there is hope?"
r "God knows. We shall do our bes
= If the worst comes-what?"
y 'Do not fear for me; do not let an
e memory of me turn you aside fror
/ your work." she said quietly. 81 kno,
: what you mean and pledge you I sha
{ never fall into his hands. TIT car
t. not be wrong, I am sure, and-and
{ must tell you that. II could no
Steven, for-for love you."
= My eager hands were upon hers, m
u eyes greedily reading the message r,
vealed so frankly in the depths of he
- own. She only was in my thoughts
. we were there alone-alone.
3 They're comm, Cap" yelled Kel
- nedy and his rifle cracked. "By G.
- they're here"
= With one swift spring / was back
!. my deserted post and firing. Nevt
. before had been in an Indian battl
but they had told me at Armstror
~ ~ that the Sacs were fighting men.
:. knew it now. This was to be no pla
IN at war but grim, relentless struggl
+a They came en- masse, rushing reckles
~ ly forward across the open spac
10 pressing upon each other in headlor
m desire to be first, yelling like fiend
IS. guns brandished in air, or splitting fir
10 animated by but one purpose - Il
battering of a way into that cabin.
70 know not who led them-all 1 sa
d was a mass of half-naked bodi,
W. bounding toward me, long hair strea1
tn ing, copper faces aglow, weapons gil
r. tering in the light. Yes, 1 saw more
the meaning of that fierce rush; IL
is instrument of destruction they broug
he with them. 1t was there in the cent
I'd of the maelstrom Of leaping figure
no protected by the grouped bodies, ha
er hidden by gesticulating red arms
IS. huge log, borne irresistibly forwa
ce on the shoulders of twenty warrior