Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-02-24
CHAPTER XIV-continued.


"cOme along. then; only you keep down
out of the way, and let me do the
sniping. There! now you lost me a
shot! Did you see that buck dodge
between those two rocks? He'll try
that trick again presently"
Olga came back, creeping out eau
tiously and finding a place slightly
behind where he lay. She held to
one weapon, laying the other on the
rocks together with belt filled with
cartridges.
Shelby barely swept his eyes toward
her. his whole attention concentrated
on what was occurring below. Some
thing was taking place down there,
but exactly what could not Immediate
ly be determined. He had perceived
men moving beyond range, lodging
along from rock to rock, mere glimpses
of dark figures, yet plainly enough
Indians. Once he was almost sure he
distinguished a white man, through
rift in a gully, but the fleeing view
gained was not convincing. Never
theIess he had no doubt but what
there were white men present. The
method of attack was too bold, and
determined, for savages alone; it was
not the Sioux idea of war Besides
the one man who would have a real
object in this assault would be Laud.
Beyond all question it was he who
was behind the effort, urged on by
personal hatred, as well as a desire
to gain possession of Olga. Shelby
wondered what the fellow might know.
Gould he be aware of the escape of
Macklin? and that Pancha had ridden
forth in search for help? If he did
that might account for his desperate
eagernesS to overcome what resistance |
they could offer before she returned. |
Yet probably not. for if he did know |
the coward in him would cause him to
seek flight before he could be cornered |
in this place. 1t was far more likely
that he believed himself opposed mere
Iy by Shelby and the girl, armed with
a revolver or two, and having linn
tied supply of ammunition. He saw
little peril in the adventure, and fig
ured that a quick, sharp rush, his war
.iors leaping from covert TO, covert,
would win an easy victory. He would
keep up d steady rifle fire from be-
hind the rocks, forcing the defenders
to keep under cover, and then sudden
~ send a charging party to end the
affair.
Shelby smiled grimly at the mental
Oiptnrn tIIrp lie, hr |
spoke to the silent girl beside him.
"How's Macklin?"
Dead, l think, Tom. He didn't
seem to breathe even family"
"The poor devil; it will be mighty
lard on Pamela though. You get your
gum"
"Yes."
"All loaded, 1 reckon; If not you
,etter fill it up. There is goin' to be
III to pay presently. When I say
10, you let drive. Keep down out o. ,
light till then, but when you begin to
,umn make her act like a gatling."
But can't those riflemen sec you
here"
well it doesn't look much like they
an, the way they are pepperin' that
ock. Nice little tune the bucks are
layin'. That's what makes me think
up; they aim to keep us
own out O sight, so we won't glimpse
what's comm. 'Tain't Indian nature
0 waste lead that way. Lauds back
here somewhere pIayin' this game. I |
hink | got sight of the sneakin' cuss |
minute ago, but he was out of |
ange"
You believe they intend to try and
ct up here?"
That's my present notion; they /
ont look for much trouble either. I
is up to us to give that outfit the t
lrprise of their lives" T
She reached out her hand and found \
Is, as it rested on the belt of cart Z
dyes.
Tom" II
yes" he answered without remov- \
e his gaze from the trail below. VI
Don't worry about me-" she said II
you know what mean; II
mt think about me when they do y
'me. I'll take care of myself, all H
ght.' N
He cast quick glance into her w
ce. Hl
"Sure, l know you will. You are a
trump, good pardner. l thought
at for long while. You won't
rget what told you" 7
an not forget"
There was n moment of silence and ge
en- she spoke again, sharp little ha
tch in her voice which she could tn
It restrain. pl;
"Tom!"
eyes"
IL don't know what is going to
ppen. IL am not afraid, but
/ 1t seems TO me II would like
have you kiss me once more first Ing
you only have once, you know" inl
Shelby turned his body about, leav- the
: his cooked revolver lying on the we
,ne, and caught both her hands hui
gerly. too
II ord I'm clad IN hpor vnu eoy 10