The Clio messenger., 1921-06-02


known that he had been adopted into
the tribe and never failed to have .
hand In their deviltry. Army officers
claimed he possessed more influence
over them for evil than any chief. and
Shelby had heard him mentioned with
Sitting Bull as leaders In the ghost.
dance. If true, then he must know
how far to venture, and just when to
draw aside so as to save himself. That
must be ito him war meant only an
opportunity to plunder. The final re
suit was clearly Indian defeat; he
would keep out, but In the meanwhile
profit all he could.
The trail led downward at a rather
steep grade, In spite Of continual curv-
ing. The sure-footed horses moved
faster than the cattle, and before the
outfit 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 hui
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 so much just then, as on the mad
chance he had assumed in this adven-
ture. What could he accomplish? What
hope was there that he would ever
emerge again alivef He was going
forward blir6sy. led by fare, with not
even a 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
respondent Of success with every step
Of advance.
II was already dusk when they at
tained the level OF the valley, and the
overshadowing bluffs rose high On
either hand, leaving them ploddHng
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-
dently been blasted out. This passage
abruptly ended In a wide, stone cause.
way. turning sharply to the left, and
running beneath waterfall, where the
broad stream leaped over a ledge OF
high rock. 1t was task to get the
cattle through. yet once started, they
plunged forward, following each other
with fright, never pausing until they
scattered out over the plain below.
Laud drew up his horse in front Of .
small log structure, so concealed at
the edge of straggly grove. that, Ia
the gloom, Shelby was not even aware
of its existence until v,ices greeted
them.
Back again, Joel Where yer pick
up that bunch"
"Up on the Cottonwood; easy pick
In" and Laud flung one leg over 10
saddle in posture of rest. "Where's
Kelly? Oh, Dan; bring me out .
drink. Anything new%
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," he answered
drawlingly, "most O. the Injuns have
struck out; amt morn a dozen bucks
left, I reckon. They tell me they're
raisin' HI already over Ponca wayt
maybe yer heard about it?"
Laud nodded, wiping his lips with
the back of his hand. "Whar's Matt
Hanley7"
"Oh. he an Slagin cum In bout Ave
hours ago, I reckon, an went on NJ
| to the cove"
"Have enything with 'emr'
"Not thet / see-they didn't. did
they, Jim?-just travelin' light"
didn't say enything about anothes
| gazabo2"
"Not that know about. They act
ed like they was both plum tired out
and wanted ter go asleep. Just took
drink apiece, and mosied along"
Laud let fall an oath.
| "All right then, but ID II IN
ride down to the cove tonight. Wen
20 up to your shack, Juan. and BUNK
| down. Come on, both o. YER"
Because you are . woman,