The Meridian times., 1921-02-11
CHAPTER xIv--contlnued
, ID


Hcome along, then only you keep down
sui Of the way, and let me do the
sniplng There now you lost me a
shot Did you see that buck dodge
between those two rocks? He'll try
that trick again presently"
Olga came back, creeping out eau
tionsly and finding place slightly
behind where he lay. She held TO
one weapon laying the other on the
rocks. together with a belt filled with
cartridges.
Shelby barely swept his eyes toward
htr, his whole attention concentrated
on what was occurring below. Some
thing was takIng place down there,
but exactly what could not immediate
~ be determined. He had perceived
men moving beyond range, lodging
along from rock TO rock mere glimpses
of dark figures, yet plainly enough
Indians. Once he was almost sure he
distinguished white man. through a
rift in gully, but the heeting view
gained was not convincing. Never
theiess he had no doubt but what
there were white men present. The
method OF attack was too bold, and
determined, for savages alone; It was
not the Sioux idea of war. Besides
the one man who would have real
object In this assault would be Laud.
Beyond all question 1t was he who
was behind the effort, urged on by
personal hatred. as well as. desire
10 gain possession OF Olga. Shelby
wondered what the fellow might know.
Could he be aware OF the escape Of
Macklini and that pancha had ridden
forth In search for help? II he did
that might account for his desperate
eagerness TO overcome what resistance
they could offer before she returned,
Yet probably not, for IL he did know
the coward 10 him would cause him to
seek flight before he could be cornered
In this place. II was far more likely
that he believed himself opposed mere
N by Shelby and the girl, armed with
revolver or two, and having linn
tied supply OF ammunition. He saw
little peril In the adventure, and fig
ured that a quick, sharp rush, his war
,iors leaping from covert TO covert,
would win an easy victory. He would
keep up steady rifle fire from be-
hind the rocks, forcing the defenders
90 keep under cover. and then sudden
" send a charging party to end the
affair.
Shelby smiled grlmly at the mental
picture, never turning his head ms he
spoke TO the silent girl beside him.
'How's Macklln7"
Dead, | think, Tom. He didn't
seem TO breathe even family"
"The poor devil; 1t win be mighty
hard on Pancha though, You got your
gum"
.Yes."
''All loaded. / reckon: IL nor you
hetter OIL II up. There Is goln' to be
h--l to pay presently. When / say
SO. you let drive. Keep down out o.
sight TIL then, but when you begin to
punn make her act like gatling."
"But can't those riflemen see you
theref"
Well, It doesn't look much like they
can, the way they are pepperln' that
rock, Nice little tune the bucks are
playin'. That's what makes me think
something's mp; they aim to keep us
down out W sight, so we won't glimpse
what's comm. 'Taln't Indian nature
70 waste lead that way. Lauds back
There somewhere playln' this game. i
hink got sight of the sneakln' cuss
minute ago. but he was out OF
range"
You believe they intend TO try and
get up herer'
That's my present notion; they
don't look for much trouble either.
Il Is up 10 us to give that outfit the
surprise OF their lives
She reached out her hand and found
his, as il rested on the belt of cart
ridges.
"Tom r.
Yes" he answered without remoy.
Ing his gaze from the trail below,
Don't worry about me- she said
earnestly, You know what mean;
don't think about me when they do
eome. IN take care Of myself, all
right
He cast quick glance into her
face.
Sure. know you win You are
. trump. good pardneR | thought
that for a long while, You won't
forget what told You"
"t'll not forget.
There was a moment Of silence and
then she spoke again, sharp little
catch IN her voice which she could
not restrain.
'Tyml'
Yes"
I'll don't know what is going to
happen. III am not afraid. butt
but M seems TO me I'll would like
20 Inrn unl1 kis. mo nrnn ..,...-. a..