The Holbrook news., 1921-07-01

dDOV0 tue IeVel or IEe 5uTTOuuulHs 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 a wild whoop came echoing to them from the distance; Laud and the Indians were coming across the flat, riding straight for the cabin, and flashing their ponies as they came.
 "Are-are they after us?" she sobbed, grasping his arm, 'are-are you sure?"
 "No doubt of it; that's Laud lead in 'em. Them Injuns will do what ever he says. Come in quick; we got to fight it out here, I reckon there ain't much chance, but I'm likely to get some O that outfit. Hurry, Olga; there ain't 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 best 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 girl"
 "Oh, yes I am; but-but I am not going to break down-you-you don't need to be afraid for me-"
 'Tm not; I know the real thing when I see 1t. You'll stay till h-l freezes over. Only see here first-do you know who these devils are out thereP'
 Sioux Indians, ain't they?"
 "Ay, and the worst of the tribe; outcasts, hell hounds, and the white man with 'em is no better. There ain't goin' to be no mercy in this fight Whatever happens, don't you let lem take you. Maybe they'll get me first, but if they do, you keep shot in your gun. You know what l meanT
 The lines about her mouth hard ened; there was a semblance of the old sullen look in, her eyes.
 q know, Tom Shelby" she said steadily. Dad Calkins used to tell me that before ever met you. l ain't 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 I'd rather like 1t if you did,"
 "Of course I will," and she thrust out both hands to him in sudden eager ness. "Why shouldn't l, Tom Shelby? I 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.
 q sure am glad you said that" he admitted, as helpless to express him. self as a child. "I sorter wanted you to for-for long while. H-l! That's Laud out there now"
 He stepped over beside the door,
 
 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 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 so close to the door his face could not be seen, but he held a rifle in his hands, pounding with the stock on the wood, as he angrily demanded admit tance.
 Come on out of there, yer big fool" he roared, maddened by the silence. ''We saw yer go back inside an we've got yer this time Come on, now; I won't ask you againr'
 'On what terms?"
 Shelby asked this more to prolong delay than anything else. The fel- lows knew they were there, and 1t was useless to pretend otherwise.
 "Terms-h-l!" and Indian Joe burst out into a loud laugh. Hear the cock crow, Hanley. We'll make terms when we get hands on yer. yer
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