The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1921-01-22

above the level of the surrounding
weeds, Shelby's teeth clinched tightly
TO keep back an oath, and his eyes
darkened.
There's no time left" he said grim
ly, pointing, "Laud has got his gang
already; we're sure up against 1t
now"
Even as she stood beside him,
straining her neck to see, the ca
dence Of wild whOOp came echOing
TO them from the distance; Laud and
the Indians were coming across the
fiat. riding straight for the cabin, and
flashing their ponies as they came.
"Are-arc they after us?" she
sObbed, grasping his arm. "are-are
you sureY'
NO doubt of it; that's Laud a lead
in 'em. Them Injuns will do what
ever he says. Come in quick; we got
to fight it out here, l reckon there
amt much chance, hut Tn likely TO
get some O. that outfit. Hurry. Olga ::
there amt no time to lose"
He crashed the door shut, and flung
the bar into place; then dragged for
ward the heavy bench and braced it
as besr he could. He had to feel
along the floor to recover his lost
weapon. and before he could straight
en- up again, the wild chorus of yells
rang out close at hand, mingled with
the sound of horses crashing reckless
ly through the maze of weeds. almost
TO the very door. He was the fighting
man now, cool and eager. He looked
straight into her eyes.
You are not frightened, little girlT'
ooh, yes am; but-but l am not
going to break dOwn-yOu-yOu don't
need TO be afraid for me-"
I'm not; l know the real thing
when I see it. You1l stay till HI
freezes over. Only see here tirSt-dO
YOU know who these devils are out
there?"
Sioux Indians, amt theyT
"Ay. and the worst of the tribe;
Outcasts, hell hounds, and the white
man with 'em is no better. There
amt gOin' to be no mercy in this fight.
Whatever happens, don't you let 'em
take you. Maybe they'll get me first,
but if they do. you keep a shot In
your gun. You know what ! meaD|
The lines about her mouth hard
ened; there was a semblance OF the
old sullen look in her eyes.
Il know. Tom Shelby" she said
steadiIy. dad CaIkins used tC tell
me that before ever met you. l amt
goin' to he made prisoner"
He gulped in his throat, his lips
grim and hard-set.
Maybe you'd shake hands," he
asked doubtfuly. Seems to me I'd
rather like it il you did"
"Of course ! WILL" and she thrust
out both hands TO him in sudden eager
ness. why shouldn't l, Tom Shelby?
l like YOU"
In the darkness she could scarcely
see his face. but she felt the grip of
his fingers and caught the eager ire
NOR in his voice.
81 sure am glad you said that" he
admitted, as helpless to express him
self as a child. Il sOrter wanted you
to for-for long while. H! That's
Laud out there now"
He stepped over beside the door.
whipping both revOlvers from Cts belt
and holding one in each hand. A small.
round hole had been dug through the
adobe plaster between the logs and he
bent down with his eye TO the opening.
A tall. rangy white man, with a dirty
skin and scraggling red beard was
nearest at hand; and beyond him
crOuched an Indian naked to the waist,
his face blackened and chest disfig-
ured with gaudy paint. There were
others behind these scattered out in
fan shape, but he could only make
them out indefinitely. Laud stood so
close to the door his face could not
be seen, but he held rife in his
hands, pounding with the stock on the
wood, as he angrily demanded admit
lance
"Come on out of there, yer big fool"
he rOared. maddened by the silence.
1--WE saw yer go back inside an we've
got yer this time. Come on, now; !
won't ask you again! ~
"On what termsT"
Shelby asked this more to prOlOng
delay than anything else. The fell
lows knew they were there. and it was
useless to pretend otherwise.
'TermS-h-lw and Indian Joe
burst out into a loud laugh. "Hear
the cock crow, Hanley. Well make
terms when we get hands on yer, yer
! Izs1m