The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-04-15
CHAPTER v
Buddy Runs True 10 Type

Tho Tomahawk OUTFIT worked from
dawn until dark. and oonbcd the
foothills OF the snowies hurricdiy
As fast as the cattle were gathered
they wcro pushed hastily toward the
Platte.
Buddy would be up and on his
horse In the clear starlight before
dawn. with cup Of coffee swallowed
10 heartcn him for tho chilly ride
after the cmuda. He must ride In
silence until he had counted evcry
dark. moving shape and knew that
the herd WAS complete. then ease
them quietly to camp.
on the fourth morning he rode
anxiously up the valley. fearing that
the horses had been stolen In the
night He came upon the scattered
fringe OF the rcmuda cropping stead.
liy at the meadow grass.
Buddy clrcled them. CHANGING now
and then at tho ridge beyond the
valley. II seemed somehow unnat.
ural-lowcr. with the stars showing
along Its wooded crest In a row. Then
suddenly he knew that the stars were
little breakfast camp fires lie re
allied that the dance was over. The
Indians had crossed the ridge yes
terday. and had eampod there to
walt for the dawn.
Bob Birnie was eating br-akfaE,
with hts men when Buddy rodo up
TO the cabin and told the ncwA
"I'u go SEQ for myself" said Bob
Brine. You boys saddle up and bs
ready To start. IL it's Indiana. we'll
head for Laramie and drive every.
thing before Us as we so. But the
lad may be wrong"
Speedily he was back. and the
/ scowi on his face told that Buddy
had not been mistaken.
They're coming off the ridge al
ready" he announced grtmly.
'-There'ii be too many for US to hold
off. I'm thinking. Get yc a fresh
horse. Buddy. and drive III. horses
down the creek fast IA ye can"
Here they come turn the bunch
loose and rider' called Bob Blruio aa
shrill. yelling warwhoop. like the
yapping Of many coyotes. sounded
4
tho creek. "Yuh all right. Buddy7"
"Yeh-f'm a.comin'." shrillcd bud.
dy. hastily looping the htigo. Just
then the sharp Etaccato Of rife
shots mingled with the whooplng OF
the Indians.
Buddy was reaching for the saddle
horn when the horse ducked and
Jerked loose. Before Buddy realized
what was happening. the herd and
all the riders were pounding away
down the valley. the men firing back
at the cottonwoods.
In the dust and cianor Of their
departure Buddy stood perfectly stiIl
for minute. trying To grasp the fun
| Significance OF his calamity. Step
and-a-Half had packed hastily and
departed ahead OF them all. His
father and the cowboys were watch.
I ing the cottonwood grove many rods
20 Buddy's right and they would not
glance his way. Even n they saw
back--tho there was not man
among them who would not have
wheeled in his tracks and returned
Tor buaoy IN inc very lace OF COL
orou ana ms oand-
ne rlane Tor the creek. lie stopped
ousout ceHar that hah peen
punt INTO the creek oahk above nigh
"aer marx
Ihe pace haa oeen cruheiy celed
WIN spnt poles overlapping ono an
other' Inc roof had sight slope.
IN uhe Inionle Oh the tny atuc thus
FORMED buhdy managed 10 worm his
oouy hru hoie IN the gaoie next
10 ,he creek
re "rsglen BACK 70 me enh next
inc caoin ana lay there very nat and
quIet' pe'plhg out thru a crack. An
inoidii hhn s"erFeo ana rlnden Do
NINA tle capifi' ana was peerinR IN
al oirectoilS 10 see II anyone mad
Iennaineo' buuuy was aDsoiutely Ger