The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-05-11


the Indians were coming across the
fiat, riding straight for the cabin, ana
lashlng their ponies as they came.
"Are-are they after us? she
sobbed, grasping his arm, "are-are
you sure?"
mo doubt of it; that's Laud lead
in 'cm. Them Injuns will do what
ever he says. Come in quick; we got
to fight it out here, reckon there
amt much chance, but I'm likely to
get some O. that outfit. Hurry. olga;
there amt no time to ose.'
He crashed the door shut, and flung
the bar into place; then dragged for
ward the heavy bench and braced it
MS best he could. He had to feel
along the floor to recover his lost
weapon. and before he could straight
en- I'D again, the Wild chorus of yells
rang out close at hand, mingled with
the. sound of horses crashing reckless
" through the maze of weeds, almost
to the very door. He was the fighting
man now, cool and eager. lie looked
straight into her eyes.
"You are not frightened, little girl?
"Oh, YES l am; but-but l am not
going to break down-you-you don't
need to be afraid for me-"
I'm not; | know the real thing
when see it.. You'll stay till h-
freezes over Only see here first-do
you know who these devils are out
there"
"Sioux Indians, amt they?"
GAY, 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 shot IN
your gun. You know what l mean|
The lines about her mouth hard.
ened; there was semblance of the
old sullen look in her eyes.
81 know, Top Shelby" she said
steadily. dad >Calkins used to tell
me that before l ever met you. amt
goin' to be made prisoner"
He gulped in his throat, his lips
grim and hard-set.
Maybe you'd shake hands? he
asked doubtfully. Seems to ME ia
rather like it if 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 tre-
NOR in his voice.
81 sure am glad you said that" he
admitted, as helpless to express HIM
self as child. 81 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 his 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 disfg-
ured with gaudy paint. There were
others behind these scattered out in
fan shape, but he could only make
them out indefinitely. Laud stood Sc
close to the door his face could not
be seen, but he held rifle 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, maddenAd NV ths- s;,a.,ce
I'VE saw yer go back inside an we've
got yer this time. Come on, now;
won't ask you again!"
ION what terms?"
Shelby asked this more to prolons
delay than anything else. The fel
lows knew they were there. and it wa.
useless to pretend otherwise.
"Terms-h-lw and Indian Joe
burst out into loud laugh. "Heal
the cock crow, Hanley. Wen max,
terms when we get bands on yer, vel
darn sneaking spy. Only I'll say this
yer'll get 1t harder If yer hang on aftel
we do get yer-an', by God! Well ge
yer, sooner or later"
well take chances. Laud, and tn,
fun is not going to be all on one side.
ut won't, hey! So yer gon' tie
fight? All right; but there's NOR
O. this outfit comm, an yer blame,
idiot; If we can get yer no other wa,
l reckon we can burn yer out. Com
l on, now; save time and and open up |!
He struck hard and angrily with hi
:, gunstock, but the stout wood held
!, Shelby made no answer, again bendin
: low and peering out through the mai
row opening. The obstinate silenc
must have maddened the fellow, 70
:. he suddenly reversed his weapon an
: fired. The ball crashed through tn
y wood. leaving q Jagged hole. and In