The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-04-15

some way, escaped. There would be
no charred bones, no singed flesh, TO
tell OF dead bodies consumed in the
flames; they would not even hnd
Macklin'S remains. And Laud was no
fool. The truth, in some form, would
come TO him at once; he would know
they had got safely away; nor would
he ever stop until he again found
them. And he would suspect her;
perhaps had seen her face when she
fired that fatal shot. Her only chance
lay now, before this revealment came.
She was cool, resourceful; had
shrewdly thought u every step. If
she was still unsupported, no one
would stop her. She had always been
free to leave the valley. Often she
had taken early rides, and none of the
ordinary guards would consider her
going forth as at all strange. Or
course. the Hole was filled now with
strange fugitives-IndianS hiding from
the soldiers, suspicious OF every white
face. These might cause trouble, but
SIZE UllSl ldhe Una ClulNC' 49,
but one way to save Macklin's life
the doctor at Gerlasche. Shelby had
told her so, and nothing else remained
fixed in her mind. Mother of God, she
would save him
There were three horses In the little
stable shack back Of the cabin. She
crept cautiously up through the fog,
unable to see in the gloom, but To-
eating the animals by touch. One
was still moist from riding, LaudS
pony, no doubt. The next was her
own, having scarcely stamina for such
a trip, but the third was the bay
Juan had always been so proud OF.
She led the animal out, saddled and
bridled him in the darkness, and then,
mounting in the gray dawn, with a
prayer In her heart for help and
guidance she rode slowly out into
the trail. A fire burned in front of
the little house beside the falls, a
mere flicker Of half-burned logs, with
two men lowering over it. One of
them started up, at sound Of the
horses hoofs and gripped a rife. He
was white, a Tapping hat brim shadow
ing his face; the other, an Indian,
wrapped in a blanket, merely lifted
his head, and stared modify. Her
heart gave a sharp bound, but she
refined up carelessly. as the fellow
stepped into the trail. He peered
curiously into her face.
HI, young woman, you're out ID
early, amt you? What's upT
There was nothing vicious In his
greeting, and her heart quit its pound
ing.
SIN after a doctor, SAM" she said
swiftly, believing boldness the best
card to play. my brother has beer
shot"
"Sure, I heard that, only they told
me he was dead he amt, hey3 Had q
rumpus with Injun Joe, didn't he?"
eyes; 1 Just heard about It. He
must have the doctor right away"
"Where the HI you aim to find
one?"
"Over at Gerlasche. There Is an
army surgeon there"
"Sure, but I'm bettin' the cuss won't
come, less he brings the whole army
long with him. He'd have ter mosey
in we're blindfold If he did,"
"Just the same he'll come, If / find
heem," she said grimly, "for I'll bring
heem, dead or alive. Who's out there
on the trail?
".Red' Haines, an Stumpy, long
with a couple of Sioux. The boys are
a bit jumpy just now with all them
sojers scoutin' the Bad Lands. Maybe
they'll try ter stop yer. but yer tell
'em l said it was all right. Say, what
was goin' on last night-shootin, ter
beat HI up the canyon, an there
was quite a fire, tooT
"Row over the girl Macklin brought
In" she explained calmly, IAN the
old cabin got burned"
"Some more O. Injun Joe's cussed-
ness, / reckon"
Eyes, he was in 1t we'll, Adios SAM"
She rode forward, never even ven
turing to glance back. Thus far ev-
erything had gone easier than she
could have hoped. There were no or
ders out against her, and these night
guards were not even aware Of what
had taken place. She guided her
horse under the veil Of falling water,
and up the steep bank beyond, out
into the valley Of the Cottonwood.
There was little danger Of meeting
anyone now, she needed to avoid, and
once beyond those watchers at the
head of the trail, the way would be
open. She came upon these just be-
low the crest, grouped for shelter
under the ledge Of an outcropping
rock. Haines had been drinking and
was In a good humor, listening 10 her
story with a broad grin, and dismiss
ing her willingly enough.
ITO HI, o. course yer kin CO." he
said thickly. "Yer brother pulled me
out o. the Sowskin onct. He's a d-n
good scout Of q Mex. Go to 1t, girl;
you know the trail?"
"Yes. along the edge Of the Bad
Lands"
"Sure; better keep In the irst gully,
er yer might run inter a sojer out