The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1921-01-13


the tribe and never failed TO have q
hand In their devIltry. Army officers
claimed he possessed more Influence
over them for evil than any chief. and
Shelby had heard him mentioned with
Sitting Bull nv leaders IN the ghost |
dance. If true, then he must know |
how far to venture, and just when to
draw aside so as to save himself. That |
must be ito him war meant only an
opportunity to plumber. THE final re-
suit was clearly Indian defeat; he |
would keep out, but In the meanwhile |
profit all he could.
The trail led downward at q rather |
steep grade. In spite OF continual curv-
Ing. The sure.fOOted horses moved
faster than the cattle. and before the
outfit reached the level of the wiley
the three riders had closed In on the
Indian drivers. Shelby knew them at
once as young Sioux warriors. and was
again able TO distinguish plainly the
brand on the flank OF the steers bring
Ing UP the rear of the herd. They
were unquestionabiy his own stock.
be entirely Indifferent to the grim hui
NOR OF the situation--he was being
| guided into Wolves hole by the very
men who had robbed him.
Yet his thoughts did not dwell upon
this so much just then. as on the mad
chance he had assumed In this adven-
ture. What could he accomplish? What
hope was there that he would ever
emerge ngaln alive7 He was going
forward blndly, led by fate, with not
even q plan Of guidance. He must
work alone, In the midst Of enemies.
desperate men to whom human life
was valueless. and where any inc1u-
tious word or act would instantly ex-
pose him to discovery. In spite of
the fact that he was believed dead
Macklin would recognize him at Il
glance, and the very claim that he was
a friend Of Hanley's exposed him to
discovery. In some way he must avoid
them both, and yet no plan presented
itself to promise escape. He could
only drift helplessly. becoming more
respondent OF success with every step
of advance.
1t was already dusk when they at
tanned the level Of the valley. and the
overshadowing bluffs rose high on
either hand. leaving them plOddng
through the gloom. Yet even here they
had not attained the full depression
Of the Hole. which required another
sharp descent along the border Of the
stream. where a ledge Of rock had evil
! IDENTIFY been blasted out. This passage
abruptly ended In wide. stone cause
way, turning sharply to the left. aud
running beneath u waterfall. where the
broad stream leaped over a ledge OF
high rock. II was task to get the
cattle through. yet once started. they
plunged forward. following each other
with fright, never pausng until they
scattered out over the plain below.
Laud drew up his horse 10 front Of a
small log structure, so concealed at
the edge Of straggiy grove. that. In
the gloom, Shelby was MOI even aware
of Its existence until voices greeted
them.
Back again, Joel where'd yer pick
up that bunch?"
"Up on the Cottonwood; easy pick
, in" and Laud flung one leg over his
saddle In q posture Of rest. "Where's
I Keliy2 Oh. ban; hiring me out
e drink. Anything newr'
D The tall, raw-bOned frOnttersnar
! who responded. pulled at his pipe. and
/. out through the open door Of the cab
I In there suddenly streaued light re
r vealing his features and the tndistinc
}. outlines OF others iding near by.
e well not much. Ioe." he answered
drawlingly. "most o the lnluns have
4 struck out; amt iSorn dozen bucks
i left, | reckon. They tell me They're
3 raisin' HI already over Ponca way
= maybe yer heard about III"
o Laud nodded. wiping his lips witt
e the back of his hand. "Whars Mat
|" Hanley?"
n "Oh. he an Slagin cum In bout fv
e hours ago. ! reckon, an went on III
2 to the cove"
" "Have enything with emf"
lie "Not tibet see-they didn't. Ill
ii they. Jim?-just travelin' light"
n. "Didn't say enythlng about anothe
gazabo?"
mot that I know about. they ac
Il. ed like they was both plum tired on
nj and wanted ter go asleep. Just took
er drink apiece. and mOsied along"
Laud let fall an oath.
"All right then. hut ID " !
Re ride down to the cove tonight. We
60 up to your shack. Juan. and bun
down. Come on, both O YER"