The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-06-29
CHAPTER XVI.
The Rock Platform.

SnelDy nau no llllle 10 tlllHk, UT W
even comprehend clearly what con-
fronted him. There was second in
which he rammed a handful of cart
ridges into his empty gun; and then
they were on him, dozen Indians
swarmng up the face Of the rock, and
rlutchns for a hold on the parapet.
He fired blhdly straight into their
faces, aware that another revolver
cracked close beside his ear, yet with
no opportunity to glance about. He
saw assailants topple backward,
clutching fingers release their hold,
rifles flung high in air, and roll down
the slope Savage yells blended into
cries of death agony. He felt the clip
Of a ball in his shoulder and staggered
back from the blow; tOmahawk
grazed his wrist, and the quick slash
Of knife ripped open leg of his
trousers, red stain discOlOring the
opening He had glimpse of fierce, in
furiated faces. of waving scalplocks,
of naked chests and arms. Fingers
clutched at him, and he kicked him
self free. Both guns empty, he bat
tered away with the butts, smashing
at every face he saw, no desire left
but to kill. before he also was dragged
down. He knew nothing of Olga,
where she was, what she was doing
he only realized that he must stal
there, and fight until they got him
she would keep one shot; she had
pledged that.
And the devils made it, creeping far
out over the gulf, and drawing them
selves up beyond reach of his arm.
One fell, going down with howl OF
terror; second was struck by
speeding bullet, dead ere he vent
whirlng back into the air-but the
third made it, creeping up onto the
narrow platform, with others surging
behind, knives gripped in their teeth.
Shelby hurled his empty pistol into
the face of the nearest before the fell
low could attain his knees, and grasped
discarded rifle which dangled over
the stone coping. With one bound he
was at the edge swinging this weapon
as q woOdsman might an AK, driving
the iron stock against every head that
appeared. He staggered back, breath
less, half blinded by a wound over his
eye, aware only that the front of the
rock was swept clear that not Il say
age was left for him to strike at. Size
touched him, and he whirled, thinking
it another enemy.
"Don't, Tom, don't!" she begged.
"Merciful heaven, you are all blood.
Look out there! are those soldiers?"
He held up the flap of skin, and
stared where she pointed. Across the
white snow covering the valley below
riding stirrup to stirlup in a wild
charge, two lines of cavalry were
sweeping straight toward the foot Of
the bluff. He knew what they were
at a glance; their lines steady even at
a gallop, the squirting officer in froAt.
the glitter of carbines. the silence, left
no doubt. No Indians rode like that.
He watched them. grasping her tightly
to him now, scarcely able to speak.
| Once only, he gave utterance.
"AIy God See those fellows ride"
"They are soldiers?"
Eyes, yes! Good Lord, lassie, but
that looks like old Hays leading 'em.
Its the Sixth. the SiXth-a squadron
| of the Sixth !"
He staggered to his knees, but still
held himself up, peering over the cop
ing. She knelt beside him, half sup
porting him against her shoulder. The
charging hOrsemen swept in out of
sight below, but they could hear them
crash through the underbrush and
splash their way across the stream.
Then there echoed up to them the
ringing cheer of white voices, and the
dull bang of the carbines
How they made that ascent it is
doubtful If trooper knows; but they
did, creeping from rock to rock, drag
ging themselves along gullies, hauling
their bodies up by sheer strength of
arm springing from point to point
inch by inch, foot by foot. fighting as
they advanced, firing at every skulk.
ing figure in their front. skirting preci.
pieces. leaping across chasms, clingipc
desperately to every rock or shrub
their carbines splitting vlclously, eager
only to get at hands grips with the
zoe. High above, Shelby and Olga
caught glimpscs Of toiling figures, of
ieaplhg Jets of flame, of fierce strug-
| To
10 escape. Sharp-voiced rifles an,
sWered the carbines, and dead sol
uier hung dangling over the edge OF
ROCK; another nursed Il bleeding
arm in the shelter of cedar. But
the unhurt came on. Some among
them had stumbled onto the trail. 70,