Washington telegraph., 1921-03-18
CHAPTER XlV-continued.

"All right" he grInned cheerfully,
'come along then; only you keep down
out Of the way, and let me do the
sniping There! now you lost me
shot Did you see that buck dodge
between those two rocksH He'll try
that trick again presently"
Olga came back, creeping out eau
tiously and finding a place slightly
behind where he lay. She held to
one weapon, laying the other on the
rocks, together with belt filled with
cartridges.
Shelby barely swept his eyes toward
her, his whole attention concentrated
on what was occurring below. Some
thing was taking place down there,
but exactly what could not Immediate
ly 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 a white man, through a
rift In gully, but the tieeting view
gained was not convincing. Never
theless he had no doubt but what
there were white men present. The
method of attack was too bold, and
determined, for savages alone; II was
not the Sioux idea of war. Besides
the one man who would have a 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 a desire
to gain possession Of Olga. Shelby
wondered what the fellow might know.
Could he be aware Of the escape Of
Macklin1 and that Pancha had ridden
forth In search for help1 II he did
that might account for his desperate
eagerness to overcome what resistance
they could offer before she returned.
Yet probably not for II he did know
the coward in 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
iy by Shelby and the girl, armed with
revolver or two, and having a lin
tied supply Of ammunition. He saw
little peril in the adventure, and fig
ured that quick, sharp rush, his war
1ors leaping from covert 10 covert,
would win an easy victory. He would
keep up a steady rifle fire from be-
hind the rocks, forcing the defenders
TO keep under cover, and then sudden
ly send charging party to end the
affair
Shelby smiled grimly at the mental
picture, never turning his head AS he
spoke 10 the silent girl beside him.
Allows MacklinT"
"Dead, l think. Tom. He didn't
seem TO breathe even family"
'The poor devil; 1t will be mighty
sard on Pancha though. You got your
gum"
YES"
"All loaded, / reckon; II not you
better fill II up. There is goln' to be
h--l to pay presently. When l say
20. you let drive Keep down out o.
sight TIL then, hut when you begin to
pumn. make her act like a gatlInI"
but can't those, riGemen see you
there?"
We'll, II doesn't look much like they
can, the way they are pepnerin' that
rock. Nice little tune the bucks are
playln'. That's what makes me think
something's up; they aim TO keep US
down out o sight so we won't glimpse
what's comm 'Taint Indian nature
to waste lead that way. Laud's back
= there somewhere playin' this game.
think ] got sight Of the sneakin cuss
minute ago. but he was out of
range"
you believe they intend to try and
get up hereY
That's my present notion; they
don't look for much trouble either
1t IS up to us TO give that outfit the
surprise Of their lives"
She reached out her hand and found
his, MS it rested on the belt of cart
ridges.
"Tom I"
yes" he answered without remov-
Ing his gaze from the trail below.
Don't worry about me-" she said
earnestly you know what ! mean !;
dent think about me when they do
come. I'll take care of myself all
right"
He cast quick glance into her
face.
"Sure, know you will. You are
trump, good pardner. thought
that for = long while. You won't
forget what | told you"
"I'll not forget"
There was moment of Silence and
then she spoke again. sharp little
catch in her voice which she could
not restrain.
"Tom !"
yes"
II don't know what Is going to
happen. Il am not afraid. but
but it seems to me IL would like
TO have you kiss me once more first
you only have once, you know"
Shelby turned his body about, leav-
ing his cooked revolver lying on the
stone and caught both her hands
eagery.
"I,nrd I'm clad TO hpnr Won say