The Raymer enterprise., 1921-06-02

noe q Sioux b blood, yef II was wen
known that he had been adopted into
the tribe and never failed to have .
hand In their deviIry. Army oflicers
claimed be possessed more influence
over them for svil than any chie9. and
Shelby had heard him mentioned with
Sitting Bull - leaders In the ghost.
dance. II true. then be must know
how far to venture and Just when 10
draw aside 20 a. to save himself. That
must be ito him war meant only IN
opportunity to plundef. The final re-
suit was clearly Indian defeat: hs
would keep out; but In the meanwhile
prodt all he could.
The trail led downward at q rather
steep grade. In spite Of continual curv.
Ing. The sure-footed horses moved
faster than the cattle. and before the
out6t reached the level Of the valley
the three riders had closed In on the
Indian drivers Shelby knew them at
once as young Sioux warriors. and was
again able to distinguish plainly the
brand on the flank Of the steers bring.
Ing up the rear Of the herd. They
were unquestionably his own stock.
and, In spite Of his rage, he could not
be entirely Indifferent to the grim hu-
NOR Of the situation-he was being
guided Into Wolves hole BY the very
men who had robbed him.
Yet his thoughts did not dwell upon
this 50 much Just then. as on the mad
chance he had assumed In this adven-
ture. What could be accomplish7 What
hope was there that be would ever
emerge again alive7 He was going
forward bllndiy. led BY fate, with not
even q plan Of guidance. He must
work alone, In the midst Of enemies.
desperate men to whom human. life
was valueless. and where any incau-
tious word or act would instantly ex-
pose him to discovery. In spite Of
the fact that he was believed dead.
Macklin would recognize him at a
glance. and the very claim that he was
a friend Of Hanley's exposed him to
discovery. In some way he must avoid
them both. and yet no plan presented
itself to promise escape. he could
only drift helplessly, becoming more
despondent Of success with every step
Of advance.
It was already dusk when they at
tained the level Of the valley. and the
overshadowing bluffs rose high on
either hand. leaving them plodding
through the gloom. Yet even here they
had not attained the full depression
of the Hole, which required another
sharp descent along the border Of the
stream. where ledge Of rock had evi.
IDENTIFY been blasted out This passage
abruptly ended In wide, stone cause
why. turning sharply to the left, and
running beneath q waterfall, where the
broad stream leaped over q ledge Of
high rock. It was a task to get the
cattle through. yet once started, they
plunged forward. following each other
with fright never pausins until they
scattered out over the plain below.
Laud drew up his horse In front Of q
small log structure, 20 concealed at
the edge Of straggly grove, that IN
the gloom, Shelby was not even aware
Of it, existence until voices greeted
them.
Back again. joel where'd yer pick
up that bunchr
up on the Cottonwood; easy pick.
in'." and Laud fung one leg over his
saddle In q posture Of rest "Where's
Kellyi Oh. Dan; bring me out q
drink. Anything newr
The tall, raw-boned frontiersman
who responded. puffed at his pipe, and
out through the open door Of the cab
In there suddenly streamed light re-
vealing his features, and the indistinct
outlines Of others idling near by.
"Well. not much, joe" be answered
drawlingly, "most O the Injuns have
struck out: amt morn a dozen bucks
left, l reckon. They tell me they're
raisin' hl already over Ponca way;
maybe yer heard about 1T"
Laud nodded. wiping bis lips with
the back Of his hand. "Whar's Matt
Hanley7"
"Oh, he an Slagin cum in bout five
hours ago. ! reckon, an went on up
to the coveS
"Have enything with 'emr'
mot thet ] see-they didn't. did
they. Jimf-just travelin' light"
Didn't say enything about another
gaxabor
"Not that I know about. They act.
ed like they was both plum tired out
and wanted ter 90 asleep. Just took q
drink apiece, and mosied along"
Laud let fall an oath.
"All right then, but ID II I'll
ride down to the cove tonight Wen
90 up to your shack. Juan. and bunk
down. Come on. both o. YER"
"Bseauss you are . woman,