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

i've heard of the brute. Judging
from the way you looked then, he Is
no friend of yours"
"No, senior l hate heem he keel my
brother; now he try to keel this man
| tell you 'bout-he an two more
AmericanoS."
1.-Two more! This is becoming in
tereSting, Sergeant. Let's have the
straight story, senorita. You want Us
to help these peoples that it?'
Isl senior; 1t is nothing TO me what
you do. l care for them not at all ;
they not my people any more. There
are many-Indians a lot; they hide
there"
But, who are these Americanosf
They belong to the gang?"
mo, senior. One was a woman,
senior; young, pretty woman; she cap
tured and brought there. Eet was
her husband that try to save her. He
follow an git in some way, like the
Mother Of God help. HeeS name was
Shelby"
SIitlby ! III AiiC o'A Nul W
getful Of the officers presence in his
surprise. what Shelby2 Was his
other nam TomY
Isl. senor," and she turned her eyes
on him. You know this Tom Shell
by"
do I! Of course I do. You re-
member him, Major Hays. He was
with us once in 'C' Troop then later
detailed with the scouts. He's up In
this country, l know. l ran into him
down at Ponca when l came through
there. Why, that was his wedding
day, and l saw the bride"
"You say those renegade devils have
got them both there In the HoleT
broke in the major, 'p~risoners?"
"They got away now; they hide In
a cave" she explained.
"And you will show us the way inT'
"Senor, the doctor he will care for
this man if / do?"
II pledge you my word he Will"
"And you keel Indian Joe Laud,
SenOr?"
wen surely do our best"
'Then l show you-yes; who that
man thereT'
Shaunessy wheeled about to face the
fellow she pointed at, gripping him
with one hand, and dragging him forth
from among the circle Of soldiers.
"This Is the bird they gave us for
a guide" he said shortly. You know
him?"
"He," she gave vent to a bitter
laugh. THAT fellow Dull Knife; bad
Indian, horse thief. Why they give
you heem?"
81 knows. Whatn l do with
the cuss, majorY
"Have a couple Of men hold him
under guard. We seem TO be on the
right track now; senorita, where lis
this Wolves holeT"
"Over there, not far; across the
mesa. You come, ! show you. That
be better first, senor-just you an
some others, so you can tell what
to do. Maybe eet be better we 60
afoot, SO we be not SEEN"
"On foot! You don't mean we are
so near the placer
"Si, senior; l show you"
A little handful followed her lead
between the sand ridges out upon the
open plain the major, a lieutenant,
the sergeant, and three men. She led
them along q slight depression, suffi-
GENTLY to partially screen them from
observation. The steady fall Of snow
had ceased. although there were oc-
casional flurrles, driving sharply into
their faces. Overhead the clouds hung
low and gray. Hays swore under his
breath, half convinced he was be-
ing made a fool Of. Twice he started
to speak, but held his tongue. The
girl never turned her head, but moved
straight forward.
She came to a slight ridge, and
stopped suddenly, pointing.
"'Tis there, %senor," she said simply.
EVOLVES hole"
The %astounded officer stood motion.
less, his mouth open, his eyes star.
ing at the sight so Unexpectedly re-
vealed. For an instant he could not
believe what he saw. Almost under
his feet the precipice fell away into
that tremendous gorge, the mantle of
snow emphasizing it's depth, but bring
ing out the black rocks In stern con-
traSt.
Good God" he exclaimed, "what
a gulf! And not a sign to make you
dream Of its existence. I'd have sworn
ten feet back this plain was a dead
level for thirty miles. But how in
heavens name do we eve get down
thereY'
There Is something going on, sir,
up yonder In that canon" spoke up
the lieutenant eagerly. Listen. Those
are rifles popping, and I can see white
pufs Of smoke through the glass.
There's a fight going on down there"
I'D II you amt right, Boyd;
they are certainly popping away rather
lively. Cornered Shelby likely, and.
ne Il ,nr,nN,Ln. ~ La I'm ...x. x-t%l.