Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1924-06-05

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None of my folks. / amt got any.
But they was good to nee. Only
friends had. Then they dropped out
Of the sky like big black birds. They
fell almost into sur fre. The Staceys
and the BelmaAS was killed in fifty.
Obi"
"Can you ride behind me now?''
asked Dinsdale.
Here in front. I'm fraid Of the
DARK when / ride behind you. I'd feel
! them clawing at me-"
In this fashion they came to the
upper end Of the canyon and into the
dawn.
Both stared curiously at the one
survivor Of the massacre. She was
slight Of physique, thin Of face. from
horror and probably privations. She
| looked undernourished, and her coarse
gown and mans boots did not make
for attractiveness. San Juan Joe, how
ever, something Of an expert in fem
| mine appraisals, mentally decided that
| her large gray eyes and wealth OF
chestnut hair would some day trans
form her into a beauty.
"How old are you, girl?'' he asked.
Seventeen" she answered, study
| ing them with great frankness.
| Dinsdale n1umbled: Thought you
was mite of child, not more than
thirteen by the heft of YOU"
II amt very betty" she admitted.
1--WE was Ohio folks. Now they're all
dead. Wish / was with them r.
"That's no way to talk" said Dins-
dale. Troubles are all ended. Tell us
how you managed to get away from
them"
Her lips trenbled, but this time she
fought down the hysteria and managed
to explain:
s'They were so sure Of me. was
crazy from 1t all. They got to dane
ing. They began hurting the poor,
dead bodies. Oh, but that was awful r
She ceased speaking and bit her lips.
Again conquering her weakness. she
| went on:
cit was while they were busy that
/ started to walk away. was hoping
| they'd kill me quick. Before knew 1t
/ was at the turn in the road. Beyond
that the light didn't shine. began
running. guess you know the rest.
81 couldn't run very fast In these,
and she thrust forward boot. Seems
as If they didn't want to catch me at
first. They was hooting and laughing as
they come after me. That's about ALL"
"Now / know what trouble the
cards meant and who had to cut the
deuce" remarked the gambler.
They took to an old lodge-pole trail
and followed it to Pleasant valley.
Beside a spring the men halted and
produced bacon, bread and coffee. The
gambler started to cook the breakfast,
but the girl insisted on taking charge
of the coffee pot and frying pan, and
| gravely informed him:
tits for the woman to get the
meals"
San Juan stepped back and stared
Whimsically at Dinsdale. Like an old
housewife, weighted with responsible
tiles, the girl fried the bacon and made
| the coffee, then fried the bread In the
bacon fat. She had been used to hard
work After they had eaten and while
she was washing the utensils at the
spring San Juan murmured:
whats to be done with herY'
Dinsdale frowned and rubbed his
jaw, then gave it up.
"Time enough to decide that when
~ noo1ur0oH ~ ccs<5
sKitty will take care of her." mused
the gambler.
'Kitty?" repeated Dinsdale.
"Friend Of mine. Good friend, too,
| but it won't do to stick here any
longer. We're too near the canyon.
The Injuns may be sneaking round
these parts. We must be going"
They followed the road toward Gus
ter and frequently passed old prospect
holes, dug the year before, and not a
| few deserted cabins. At midday they
rounded a low hill and came In sight
Of the town, the first to be laid out
! in the Black hills and now an excel
lent example of 'sbu'sted" boom. In
| 1875, when white men were taboo in
! the hills, 1t had been a magic town,
with a main street half a mile long
and crowded with business houses and
disreputable resorts. Now it's mer-
chants and gamblers and it's painted
women were hunting their profits In
Deadwood City. There were some hum
dred and fifty inhabitants, mostly men,
| In the town, with row after row Of
dwellings left to the ravages Of squir-
rels and kindred mischief workers.
San Juan took his companions to a
hotel, where the girl was given room
while the men ordered dinner. When
she rejoined them they nodded APP
| proval. Although her pale face and
thin features made her look all eyes,
there was no ignoring her neatly
brushed hair, fine as spun silk. She
glanced shyly at them and said:
IT amt thanked you Cor what you've
| done for me-"
"Never mention It." said San Juan,
bowling CALAMITY. "Now we'll eat"
He ushered them into the dining
room, pulled out a chair for Lottie
| Carl and seated her with quite the
| grand manner.
The fare was bountiful, and Lottie
Carl found that the tragedy had not
killed her appetite. They had finished
and the gambler was cutting the end
from a cigar when a man rushed into
| the room and hoarsely cried out:
UVN;Id RIPS hoop shot Dnnp RI