The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1920-05-06

widening in horror. "When do you sup
pose this happened? how long ago?"
within twelve hours certainly ;
probably o o after dawn"
l caught the rein of her horse, and
Elsie, who was now wide awake, and
trembling with fear, pressed forward,
close to my side, moaning and casting
her frightened glances backward. Ken
nedy was already started in advance of
us on foot, leading his animal, and
seeking to discover the quickest pas
sage to shelter: On a narrow terrace
the deputy halted us.
II reckon maybe this yere is as gud
as eny place fer ter STOP" he said
rather doubtfully. It'll be mighty dark
in an hour, an then we kin go on !;
only my boss is about did up. Whut
We say, Cap?"
1--WE are probably as safe here as
anywhere in the neighbOrhood. Is that
all you have to report, Tim?"
He lifted his hat, and scratched
gently his thin hair.
"Only tibet them Injuns went south.
l done run onto their trail after yer
left-it wus plain as the nos on yer
face. Thar must'r bin a slew o. 'em,
an sum a ~,hossback; they wus a
strikin' straight across yonder, an I
reckon they fetched a prisoner long,
sumbody wearin' boots enyhow, fer 1
saw the tracks in the mud" He hest
tated, as though something was on his
mind, glancing toward the girls, and
lowering his voice. Il amt so very
dern tired, an reckon I'll scout round
a bit. Them red devils might'r v
looked a rifle er two back thar in the
timber, an I'd sure like ter git my fin
gers on one"
l nodded i~ndifferently, too complete
ly exhausted myself to carr what he
did, and then dull-eyed watched him
disappear through the trees. No one
spoke, even Eloise failing to question
me, as I approached where she and
Elsie had flung themselves on the
short grass, although her heavy eyes
followed my movement, and she made
an effort to smile.
"One can easily see by your face
how tired you are" l said, compassion
ately, looking down at her. 81 am go
ing to sleep for an hour or two, and
you had both better do the same. Tim
is going to keep guard"
She smiled YEARLY at me, her head
sinking back. l did not move or
speak again; indeed l had lost con-
seriousness almost before I touched the
ground.
1 could not have slept long, for there
was a glow Of light still visible in the
western sky, when a strong grip on nv
arm aroused me, causing me instantly
to sit up. Tim stood there, a battered,
old, long rifle in his hand, and beside
him q boy of eighteen, without a hat,
tousled headed, with an ugly red
wound showing on n cheek.
mighty sorry fer ter wake We, Cap"
the deputy grinned. "This yere young
chap is one O. them ~sojers; an it
strikes me, he's got a d. queer tale
ter tell"
l glanced backward across my Shout
der toward the others. Both girls were
sleeping soundly, while beyond them,
down the slope, the three horses were
quietly cropping away at the heritage.
I managed to rise.
Lets move back to the spring.
where we will not wake them up" 1
suggested. Nov we can talk"
My eyes sought the face of the lad
questioningly. He was a loose-lipped,
awkward lout, trembling still from a
fright he could not conceal.
"You belonged to that squad killed
out yonderg" q
YES, sch; / reckon Use the only one
whut amt died." he stammered, SO
tOngue-tied | could scarcely make out
his words. Il Wus gone after waiter.
an when them Injuns begun fer ter
yell, / never dun nuthin' but Just run,
an hid in the BUSH"
II understand. What is your name?''.
ASA Hall"
We'll; Asa, I suppose those were
militiamen; you belonged to the com
panyr'