The Adair County news., 1922-04-11

"And rode away"
81 think so; am not sure. I-cared
for nothing then but you; thought
perhaps he had killed you"
Shelby struggled to his feet, his
strength returning, although he
scarcely could swallow, and every
word he uttered panied him.
''That devil will be back; the Hole
is to get away before he can gather
bunch Of his kind together"
"Get away? Where"
up the bluff; the place in which /
Rid last night. But wait; my revOl-
yer is inside the cabin"
he started back, and Olga followed
closely. Standing upon the step, and
looking down the valley, his head now
above the level Of the surrounding
weeds, Shelby's teeth clinched tightly
to keep back an oath, and his eyes
darkened.
There's no time left" he said grim
ly, pointing, "Laud has got his gang
already; we're sure up against it
now"
Even as she stood beside him,
straining her neck to see, the ca
dence of a wild whOop came echoing
to them from the distance; Laud and
the Indians were coming across the
fiat, riding straight for the cabin, and
lashing their ponies as they came.
"Are-are they after usY' she
sObbed, grasping his arm, "are-are
you sure?'
mo doubt of it; that's Laud a lead
in 'em. Them Injuns will do what
ever he says. Come in quick; we got
to fight it out here. | reckon there
amt much chance, but I'm likely to
get some o that outfit. Hurry, Olga
there amt no time to lose"
He crashed the door shut, and flung
the bar into place; then dragged for
ward the heavy bench and braced it
as best he could. He had to feel
along the floor to recover his lost
weapon, and before he could straight
en- up again. the wild chorus of yellS
rang out close at hand, mingled with
the sound of horses crashing reckless.
~ through the maze of weeds, almost
to the very door. He was the fignrIn1
man now. cool and eager. He looked
straight into her eyes.
"YOu are not frightened, little girl?"
"Oh, yes | am; but-but | am not
going to break dOwn-yOu-yOu don't
need to be afraid for me-"
I'm not; know the real thing
when l see it. You'll stay till HI
freezes over Only see here first--t'u
you know who these devils are out
there%
"Sioux Indians, amt they?"
"Ay, and the worst of the tribe;
| outcasts, hell hounds, and the white
man with 'em is no better. There
amt gOin' to be no mercy in this fight.
Whatever happens, don't you let 'em
take YOU Maybe they'll get me first,
but if they do, you keep a shot in
your gun. You know what / meanE
The lines about her mouth hard
ened; there was a semblance of the
old sullen look in her eyes.
81 know, Tom Shelby" she said
steadily. dad Calkins used to tell
me that before ever met you. l amt
goin' to be made prisoner"
He gulped in his throat, his lips
grim and hard-set.
Maybe you'd shake hands" he
asked doubtfuIly. Seems to me I'd
rather like it if you did"
"Of course 1 WILL" and she thrust
out both hands to him in sudden eager
ness. "Why shouldn't 1, Tom Shelby?
I like you"
In the darkness she could scarcely
see his face, but she felt the grip Of
his fingers and caught the eag& tre-
NOR in his voice.
81 sure am glad you said that" ne
admitted, as helpless to express him
self as a child. 81 sorter wanted you
to for-for long while. HI! That's
Laud out there now"
He stepped over beside the door,
whipping both revolvers from his belt
and holding one in each hand. A small,
round hole had been dug through the
adobe plaster between the logs and he
bent down with his eye to the opening.
A tall, rangy white man, with dirty
skin and scraggling red beard was
nearest at hand; and beyond him
crouched an Indian naked to the waist,
his face blackened and chest disfg-
ured with gaudy paint. There were
others behind these scattered out in
fan shape, but Ae could only make