The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-03-31

robust constitution cast off the mala-
rial poison. Meantime he used every
word and phrase, every grunt and GEES
ture Of Indian dialect that he could
recall, in the iterated and reiterated
attempt to make Long-Hair under
stand what he wanted
When night came an again the band
camped under some trees beside a
swollen stream. There was no rain
falling, but almost the entire country
lay under a flood of water, Fires Of
logs were soon burning brightly on
the comparatively dry bluff chosen by
the Indians. The weather was chill.
but not cold. Long Hair took great
pains, however. to dry Beverley's
clothes and see that he had warm
wraps and plenty to eat. Hamilton
large reward would not be Forthcoming
should the prisoner die. Beverley was
good property, well worth careful at
tention. To be sure his scalp, in the
worst event, would command a suffi-
cient honorarium, but not the great
est. Beverley thought of all this
while the big Indian was wrapping
him snugly in skins and blankets for
the night, and there was no comfort
in it, save that possibly if he were re
turned to Hamilton he might see Alice
again before he died.
A fltful wind cried dolefully in the
leafiess treetops, the stream hard by
gave forth a rushing sound, and far
away some wolves howled like lost
souls. Worn out, sore from head to
foot. Beverley. deep buried in the
blankets and skins, soon fell into a
profound sleep. The fires slowly
crumbled and faded; no sentinel was
posted, for the Indians did not fear an
attack, there being no enemies that
they knew Of nearer than Kaskaskia-
The camp slumbered as one man.
At about the mid-hour Of the night
Long Hair gently awoke his prisoner
by drawing a hand across his face,
then whispered in his ear:
Damn, stilll''
Beverley tried TO rise, uttering 4
sleepy ejaculation under his breath.
mo talk" Kissed Long Hair. "Still,'
There was something in his voice
that not only swept the last film Of
sleep out Of Beverley's brain. but
made It perfectly clear to him that a
very important bit Of craftiness was
being performed just what its nature
was, however, he could not surmise.
One thing was obvious. Long-Hair
did not wish the other Indians TO
know Of the move he was making.
Deity he slipped the blankets from
around beverley. and cut the thongs
at his ankles.
"sdn"' he whispered. Come
long"
Under such circumstances a com
petent mind acts with lightning
celebrity. Beverley now understood
that Long-Halr was stealing him
away from the other savages and that
the big villain meant to cheat them
out Of their part of the reward. Alons
with this discovery came q fresh
gieam of hope. It would be far easier
to escape from one Indian than from
nearly a score. All. he would follow
LonE-Hair. Indeed he would. The need
cd courage came with the thought,
and so with immense labor he Crept
Al the heels of that crawling monster.
It was a painful process, for his arms
were stiu fast bound at the wrists
with the rawhide strings: bur what
was pain TO him? He shivered with
JOY. thinking Of what might happen.
The voice of the wind overhead and
the noisy bubbling Of the stream near
by were cheerful and cheering sounds
to him now. So much can mere
shadow OF hope do for a human soul
on the verge Of despair Already he
was planning or trying to plan some
way by which he could kill Loug-Hair
when they should reach a safe dis
lance from the sleeping camp.
But how could the thing be done?
4 man with his hands tied. though
they are in front OF him, IS IN no
excellent condition to cope with a free
and stalwart savage armed to the
teeth. Still Bcverley's spirits rosa
with every rod Of distance that was
added to their slow progress.
Their course was nearly parallel
with that of the stream, but slightly
converging toward It. and after they
had gone about a furlong they reached
the bank Here LOng-Hair stopped
and, without a word, cut the thongs
from Beverley's wrists. This was as
founding; the young man could scarce
" realize It, nor was he ready TO act
Swim water" Long-Hair said In a
cultural murmur barely audible
Swim, damnp'
Again It was necessary for Bever-
Iey's mind to act swiftly and with
prudence. The camp was yet within
hailing distance. A false move now
would bring the whole pack bowling
to the rescue. Something told him
TO 90 as Long Hair ordered, so with
scarcely a perceptable hesitation he
scrambled down the bushy bank and
slipped into the water, followed by
Long-Hair, VINO seized him by one
arm when he began to swim, and
struck out with him into the boiling
and tumbling current.
Beverley had always thought him
self a master swimmer, but LOng-Hair
-b0vr-ed him bFq mistake The giant