The Dolores star., 1920-04-16

completed. The door and window were
harred the powder and slugs brought
mn from below. the rides Loaded hho
primed, the few Ioopholes between the
logs opcned, and pail of water placed
wItbin easy reach. This was all that
could he done.
Kennedy made use of the feiiow. or
derinr him about almost hrutnllS ana
Kirby obcyed the commands WITHOUT
nn answering protest. To All appear
unccs he was as eager as we IN tbe
preparations for defense. But he couid
not commund him; to even address the
fellow would have been torture. for
even then was without faith, with
out confidence. The very sneakihe'
cowardly way in which he acted dih
not appeal to me as patural. couiu
not deny his story-those approaching
Indians alone were proof that he hed
from a real danger; and yet-and yet
to my mind he could not represent
ANYTHING but treachery. ] possessed
but one desre-to kick the cringing
cur.
| stood at loophole watching the
approaching savages. They had halted
Just below the big Tree, and four or
five half hidden by the huge trunk
were in consultation. well beyond rlhe
shot. Assured by their attitude thnt
the attack would not be made immedi-
ately, ventured TO turn my face
slightly. and take final survey OF the
room behind. Tim had stationed him
a -, 81 h 10
eyes glued to narrow opening. both
hands eripped on his gun. Eloise ana
the colOred girl, tae one dry-eyed and
alert, the other prone on the floor cry
ing, were where | had told them to
90, into the darkest corner. The boy
| did not see, nor even remember, but
Kirby stood on the bench, which en-
abled him to peer out through the
loop. hole in the window shutter. What
| noticed, however. was, that instead
OF keeping watch without, his eyes
were furtively wandering about the
room. and, when they suddenly en-
countered mine. We're rs instantly
averted.
where was it you met those In.
dams, kirby?" l questioned sternly.
Down the valley"
Last nightY
This morning; they surprised us in
camp"
in camp, there were others with
you. then. Who were they? the party
you had trailing us?
"Ycs," decidedly sullen tone creep
ing into his voice. Five of them one
was Wnnebago."
And Rale was along, | presume
What became of the others?"
He shook his head, but with no show
Of feeling.
That's more than I know. Things
We're hot enough for me without both
cring about the rest. l never saw any
OF them again. except Rale. He was
killed in the fight. About an hour
after that | shot the buck who was
guarding me. and got away on his
horse"
"What Indians were they?"
"Sacs mostly; some Foxes, and may.
be IL Wnnebago or two"
Was Black Hawk with them?"
II don't know never saw Black
Hawk"
felt firmly convinced that he was
deliberately lying, and yet there was
nothing in his story which might not
be true. No doubt 1t was prejudice,
personal hatred, and distrust which led
me to come to this conclusion. Well,
true or not, I meant to see that he
fought now.
"All right, but I advise you to keep
your eyes outside" I said sternly.
Don't be staring about the cabin any
more"
II was looking for something tc
| eat"
''Is that so? Well, you better stand
It for awhile without eating. What Is
! it, Eloise?"
"Please let me hand him some food? ?"
I hesitated, conscious that l disliked
fellow in any way. yet unable to resist
the eager plea in her eyes.
VERY well, if you wish to; only
keep down out of range; those Indians
may try for the loopholes. 1t is more
Than you deserve, Kirby"
lie made no response, and watched
him closely as he endeavored to eat
what she proffered him, and felt con.
vinced that it was hard work. The
man had lied about being hungry; he
was not in need of food, and my deep.
rooted suspicion of him only famed
up anew.
A hand gripped at my sleeve timidly,
and | turned quickly to encounter the
eyes of Asa Hall. Never did / read
such depth of fear in the expression
of any FACET was the wild, unreason.
Ing terror of an animal.
What is 1t, my boy?"
It's him. seh." he whispered, his
lips trembling so l could scarce catch
the words. Tibet feller thar. He's
he's the one l saw las night with Black
Hawk"
Are you sure?'
| sab. lrv 1t.