The Arvada enterprise., 1920-04-22


to Kirby until thsss he'd been hastily
completed. The door and window were
barred, TIE powder and siuss brought
up from below, tie rides loaded and
pfimed, the few loopholes bstween the
logs opened. and pail 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 ~ eager a. 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. could
not deny his story-those approaching
Indians alone were proof that he fed
from q real danger; and yet-and yet.
to my mind he could not represent
anything but treachery. I possessed
but one desifs-to kick the cringing
cur.
I stood at 4 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 ride
shot. Assured BY their attitude that
the attack would not be made immedi-
ately, ventured to turn my face
slightly, and take dnal survey Of the
room behind. Tin had stationed him
self At the other side Of the door. his
eyes glued to narrow opening. both
hands gripped on his gun. Eloise and
the colored girl. the one dry-eyed and
alert, the other prone on the floor cry
ing. were where I had told them to
60. 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
lo0p-hole In the window shutter. What
I 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 ~ instantly
averted.
"Where was 1t you met those In.
dams, KirbyT I Questioned sternly.
"Down the valley"
LAST nightr'
This morning; they surprised % In
camp"
I'm campi there were others with
you, then. Who were theyf the party
you had trailing us1'
yes" q decidedly sullen tone creep
Ing into his voice. Five Of them: one
was q Winnebago."
"And Rale was along. I presume.
What became Of the othersr
He shook his head, but with no show
Of feeling.
That's more than I know. Things
were hot enough for me without both.
ering about the rest. I never saw any
Of them again, except Rale. He was
killed In the light. About an hour
after that I shot the buck who was
guarding me, and got away On his
horse"
what Indians were thsyr'
"Sacs mostly: some Foxes, and may.
be . Winnebago or two"
"Was Black Hawk with themT
II don't know-I never saw Black
Hawk"
I felt firmly convinced that he was
deliberately lying. and yet there was
nothing In his story which might not
be true. No doubt II was prejudice,
personal hatred, and distrust which led
me to come to this conclusion. Well,
true o. not, I meant to 80 that he
fought now.
An right, but advise you to keep
your eyes outside." I said sternly.
Don't b staring about the cabin any
more"
Il was looking for something te
eat"
rs that sol Well. you better stand
1t for awhile without eating. What IL
Il. EloIser'
"Plsase let me hand him some foodf"
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. 1t 10 more
than you deserve. Kirby"
He made no response. and I watched
him closely % he endsavored to eat
what she pro6ered him. and felt con.
WINGED that II 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 expressioo
Of any FACET was the Wild. uureason.
ing terror Of an animal.
what 10 II, my boyr'
tits him. seh." he whispered, his
lips trembling 20 could scarce catch
the words. tibet Teller thar. Hes
he's the one saw las night With Black
Hawk"
"Are Jon sursr'
Yes, sch; I know hin. saw him