The Raymer enterprise., 1920-04-22

There we're but few preparations to
be made. and / gave small attention
to Kirby until these had been hastily
completed. The door and window were
barred. the powder and slugs brought
up from below. the rides loaded and
primed. the few loopholes between the
logs opened, and q pain Of water placed
within easy reach. This was all that
could be done.
Kennedy made use Of the fellow. or
dering him about almost brutally. and
Kirby obeyed the commands without
an answering protest. To all appear
ances he was as eager as we In the
preparations for defense. But he could
not command him; to even address the
fellow would have been torture. for
even then ! was without faith, with
out confidence The very sneaking.
cowardly way In which he acted did
not appeal to me - natural l could
not deny his story-those approaching
Indians alone were proof that he fed
from real danger: and yet-and yet.
to my mind be could not represent
anything but treachery. / possessed
but one desire-to kick the cringing
cur.
! stood at a 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 rife
shot. Assured by their attitude that
the attack would not be made immedi.
ately, ventured to turn my face
slightly. and take nnal survey Of the
room behind. Tim had stationed him
self at the other side OF the door, his
eyes glued to q narrow opening. both
hands gripped on his gun. Elolss and
the colored girl. the one dry-eyed and
alert, the other prone on the floor cry
Ing. were where had told them to
60, into the darkest corner. The boy
I did not see, nor even remember. but
Kirby stood on the bench, which en-
abled him to peer out through the
ioop-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. were as instantly
ayerted.
"Where was 1t you met those In
dams, KlrbyT questioned sternly.
Down the valley"
Last nightf'
This morning; they surprised rs in
camp"
I'm camp! there were others with
you. then. Who were they1 the party
you had trailing usT'
"Yes," q decidedly sullen tone creep
ing into his voice. "Five OF them; one
was Winnebago."
"And Rale was along, / presume
What became Of the others?"
He shook his head, but with no show
Of feeling.
That's more than know. Things
were hot enough for me without both.
ering about the rest. / never saw any
Of them again. except Rale. He was
killed In the fight. About an hour
after that l shot the buck who was
guarding me, and got away on biz
horse"
"What Indians were they1"
"Sacs mostly; some Foxes, and may
be Winnebago or two"
"Was Black Hawk with themT
Il don't know-I never saw Black
Hawk"
/ felt firmly convinced that be was
deliberately lying, and yet there was
nothing In his story which might not
be true. No doubt 1t was prejudice
hatred. and distrust which led
me to come to this conclusion. Well,
true or not ! meant to see that he
fought now.
IAN right, but advise you to keep
your eyes outside" said sternly.
Don't be staring about the cabin any
more"
Y was looking for something te
eat"
"Is that soi Wen. you better stand
1t for awhile without eating. What II
1t. Eloisef'
"Please let me hand him some food I"
/ hesitated. conscious that disliked
even the thought Of her serving the
fellow In any way. yet unable to resist
the eager plea In her eyes.
VERY well. II you wish to-; only
keep down out Of range; those Indians
may try for the loopholes. It Is more
than you deserve, Kirby"
He made no response, and l 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.
4 hand grfpe at my sleeve timidly,
- ~ encounter the