Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-01-15


search that scoundrel for weapons.
Don't ask questions; do what ] say"
He made short work Of II. using no
gentle methods. MI n
"wal', the gent wasn't exactly harm
less" he reported, grinning cheerfully,
"considsrin' this we're knife an cannon.
Now, maybe ven tell me whut the
his upr' n
Kirby stood erect, his dark eyes
searching our faces, his lips scornful.
"And perhaps, Mr.. Lieutenant
Knox" he added sarcastically. you
might condescend TO explain to me
also, the purpose Of this outrage"
"With pleasure" but without lower
ing my rifle. "rhis boy here belonged
to the company of soldiers massacred
yesterday morning. You know where
mean. He was the only one TO escape
alive, and he saw you there among the
savages-free, and one of them"
"He tells you that7 And you accept
the word of that half-witf"
"He described your appearance to
us exactly twenty-four hours ago. l
never thought Of you at the time, III
though the description was accurate
enough, because 1t seemed so impos-
sible for you to have been there. But
that isn't all, Kirby. What has become
of the emblem pin you wore in your
tie? It Is gone, see."
His hand went up involuntarily. 1t
is possible he had never missed 1t be-
fore, for look of indecislon came into
the mans face-the first symptom Of
weakness had ever detected there.
ut must have been lost--mislaid--"
at was; and chance to be able to
Here Is your pin, you incarnate devil.
I found 1t caught In those blankets
yonder. This is not your first visit to
this cabin; you were here with Indian
murderers."
Its id lie"
But Kennedy had him, locked in
vise-llke grip. 1t was well he had, for
the fellow had burst Into a frantic
rage, yet was bound so utterly helpless
as to appear almost pitiful. The
knowledge of what he had planned, of
his despicable treachery, left us mer-
CHESS. In spite of his struggles we
bore him to the floor, and pinned him
there, cursing and swapping like q
wild beast.
"Tcar up one of those blankets"
called back over my shoulder to Hall.
Eyes, into strips, of course; now bring
them here. Tim. you tie the fellow
yes. do a good job; I'll hold him. Lie
still, Kirby. or shall have to give you
the butt of this gun in the face"
He made one last effort to break
free, and, as my hand attempted to
close on his throat, the clutching ting-
ers caught the band OF his shirt, and
ripped it wide open. There, directly
before me. scar across his hairy, ex-
posed chest, was a broad. black mark,
q tribal totem. ! stared down at it,
recognizing It's significance.
"By Heaven, Tim, look at this !"
cried. HE is ans Indian bimself--a
| black Sac"
do not know what delayed the
attack Of the savages. unless they were
waiting for some signal which never
came. I passed from loophole to loop
hole. thus assuring myself not only
that they still remained, but that the
cabin was completely surrounded, al
though the manner in which the war
riors had been distributed left the
great mass of them opposite the front.
The others evidently composed mere
guard TO prevent escape. No move
ment / could observe indicated an i'm
mediate assault; they rather appeared
TO be awaiting something.
Those T saw were all dIsmounted,
and had advanced toward the cabin as
closely as possible without coming
within the range of guns. They had
also sheltered themselves rs far as
possible behind clumps OF brush, or
ridges of rock, so that found 1t diff
cult to estimate their number. Only
occasionally would yenturesome
warrior appear for moment in the
open, as he glIded stealthily from the
protection of one covert to another.
| No doubt some were brought within
range Of our rifles, as these efforts
| were usually made to more advanced
positions, but I forbade firing, In the
vague hope that, not hearing from
| Kirby, the chiefs might become dis.
| couraged and draw off without risking
an open attack.
This was more a desperate hope
rather than any real faith possessed
| Beyond doubt the Indian chief knew
or thought he knew. our exact strength
before he consented to use bis war
riOrs in this assault.
If the band had trailed US to thii
spot, 1t had been done through the
influence of Kirby, and he had. beyond
| question, Informed them as to who
we were, and the conditions under
which we had fed from Yellow Banks
The only addition to our party since
them was the rescued boy. They would
have little fear Of serious loss In ar
attack upon two men. and two women
unarmed, except possibly with pisto
or two, even though barricaded be
hind the log walls Of cabin. And
with ono Of their number within, anJ
attempt at defense would BE- but q
farce. This same gang had alread,
sacked the cabin, taking with them. ..
they believed, every weapon Il. con
tained. In their haste they had over
looked the cellar below. They had nj
thought Of It's existence. nor that NJ
awaited them rifles In hand and witt
an ample supply Of powder and lead