Mohave County miner and our mineral wealth., 1922-09-08
ANlllustrated by RHLivinSst'

Barbara'S face was pale and she was breathing hard. She had not looked at Grey. but Harry had been watching him covertly and he did not look com fortable. Erskine paused.
 "What!" shouted Harry. "You told both that you would fight with the whites against both! What'd they do to you?"
 Erskine smiled.
 "Well, here I am. I jumped over the heads of the outer ring and ran. Firefiy heard me calling him. I had left his halter loose. He broke away. l jumped on him, and you know noth- ing can catch Firefly."
 Didn't they shoot at you?'
 Of course" Again he paused
 "Well," said Harry impatiently, "that isn't the end"
 q went back to the camp. Crooked Lightning followed me and they tied me and were going to burn me at the stake"
 Good heavens breathed Barbara.
 How'd you get away"
 "The Indian girl, Early Morn, slipped under the tent and cut me loose The white woman got my gun, and Firefly you know nothing can catch Firefiy." The silence was intense Hugh looked dazed, Barbara was on the point of tears, Harry was triumphant, and Grey was painfully flushed. ..'
 And you want to know what I am going to do now?" Erskine went on. 'Tm going with Capt. George Rogers Clark--with what command Sare you, MT. Grey?" >,l.
 That's secret" he smiled coolly. 'I'll let you know later," and Barbara, with an inward sigh of relief, rose quickly, but would not leave them be- hind. Hr "But the white woman?" questioned Harry. "Why doesn't she leave the
 "Early Morn-a half-breed-is her daughter" said Erskine simply. \
 "Oh" and Harry questioned no further.
 "Early Morn was the best-looking Indian girl I ever saw" said Erskine, and the bravest." For the first time Grey glanced at Barbara. "She saved my life" Erskine went, on gravely, "and mine is hers whenever she needs it." Harry reached over and gripped his hand.
 As yet not one word had been said of Grey's misdoing, but Barbaras cool disdain made him shamed and hot, and in her eyes was the sorrow of her in- justice to Erskine. In the hallway she excused herself with a courtesy, Hugh went to the stables, Harry disappeared for moment, and the two were. left alone. With smoldering fire Erskine turned to Grey.
 ''It seems you have been amusing yourself with my kinspeople at my ex- pense." Grey drew himself up in naughty silence Erskine went on: "I have known some liars who were not towards"
 "You forget yourself" A
 "No-nor you" .s&
 You remember a promise I made you once?' ...
 Twice" corrected Erskine. Greys eyes flashed upward to the crossed rapiers on the wall.
 Precisely" answered Erskine, "and when?'
 At the first opportunity"
 From this moment I shall be wait- ing for nothing else."
 Barbara, reappearing, heard their last words. and she came forward pale and with piercing eyes:
 Cousin Erskine, I want to apolo- gize to you for my little faith. hope you will forgive me. MT. Grey, your horse will be at the door at once. ] wish you q safe journey-to your com. mand." Grey bowed and turned-furi- ous.
 Erskine was on the porch when Grey came out to mount his horse.
 You will want seconds?" asked Grey ,...
 'They might try to stop us-no"
 "I shall ride slowly" Grey said. Erskine bowed.
 "I shall not"
 Nor did he. Within half an hour Barbara, passing through the hall, saw that the rapiers were gone from the wall and she stopped, with the color fled from her face and her hand on her heart. At that moment Ephraim dashed from the kitchen.
 Miss Barbary, somebody gwine to git killed. I was wukkin' in de ole field an Marse Grey rid by cussin' to hisself. Jist now Marse Erskine went tearin' by de landin wid a couple O swords under his arm." His eyes too went to the wall. "Yes, bless Gawd, dey's gone!' Barbara flew out the door.
 In a few moments she had found Harry and Hugh. Even while their horses were being saddled her father rode up.
 "It's murder" cried Harry, land Grey knows it. Erskine knows noth- ing about a rapier."
 Without word Colonel Dale wheeled his tired horse and soon Harry and Hugh dashed after him. Barbara yallGd back to the house,