Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-04-29
CHAPTER xvI-continued

NJ iEA6Ahs b9 a supreme EiAutts AhS
under man reached the knife beneath
his back with the hand OF a pinioned
arm. With heave the hand was free
and the blade turned into the body
above him. But in flash the right
hand Of the Iroquois shifted from the
throat to the menacing wrist There
was a wrench-a groan as the bone
snapped, and the knife slipped to the
snow.
Again, like the fangs OF a wolf. the
long fingers of Michel clamped on the
throat OF the man In whose bulging
eyes shone the fear Of the death
which neared.
"Dis ees for herr" snarled the head
man, as he struck with his free hand
the purpled face 'Dees ees for me r.
and he struck again.
Slowly the bloodshot eyes Of the
assassin. who had so confidently shot
from the ambush. filmed; for the last
time his mouth gaped wide for the
air denied him by the wise on his
throat-with CULVER he relaxed on
the snow.
Picking up his rife and slipping his
hands into the rabblt-skin mittens
which hung from his neck ~ thongs,
Michel bent and closely scrutinized
the knotted feature OF his enemy.
Satisfied with his work, he rasped !.
"Bo'jo'l Tete-BouleI You are poor
shoti You max no more trouble cen
dis valleyl" and started for camp.
He found his friends at breakfast.
Silently he accepted the dipper OF
steaming tee and the heaped plate Of
fried moose and beans. and began TO
eat.
"WeIl. what luck. Michele Are they
still leaTlngg" asked Steele. when his
eyes suddenly focused on the shoul-
der Of Michers capote. ~Where'd you
get that tear?"
The face of the IroquoIs was wood
en-. II meet old frien' cen de bush.
Ah-hahY'
Curious, Steele rose and examined
his friends shoulder. "Why, there's
caked blood herel Yon have been shot
att he cried. ''Take or that coat I"
EN- flemish de moose and bean,
laughed the stole. "Hees gun shake
wen he frel p
To his relief Steele found that the
bullet had grazed the shoulder blade
of his friend. barely breaking the
skin. When the scratch was dressed,
Michel gave him the story Of the am
bush.
With the sting Of the bullet across
HIS shoulder. the cool-headed Indian
had sensed that he was not badly
hurt, and made the only move that
would check a swift second shot from
a concealed foe-dropped as If killed
or MORALLY hurt. Sprawled on his
fare, a knee drawn up to give pur-
chase for lunge, he had waited for
the man In ambush to approach within
reach. Had there been two. 1t would
have been knife fight, with the odds
heavily against the man compelled to
start from the soft snow.
Good old Mlchelr' applauded Steele.
as the Iroquois finished. 'sThey can't
beat you'll He was scared when he
fred. Had you ever seen this Indian
before?'
MieheIis black eyes snapped tan
talizingly, as he played on his chiefs
curiosity.
Wal, he look lax man l see one
tam"
Traded once at Waring River, you
meanY'
"Ah-hahi he come to de post"
"WhenT
-He was dere dis summer. He got
leg lax bow ov snowshoe. Hees eye
look LAX de mink. He"
'sYou mean-good LordI It wasn't
rete BOuie7" cried the surprised Amer
lean.
"Ah hah !" admitted the head-man.
blowing a cloud of smoke from bis
mouth "Eet was Tete-Boule t'ink
Charlotte be happy squaw. now"
rHe found your trail leading 20 the
lake aud took a chance you would
acktrack-which you did" Delight
sdly Steele shook the hand Of the In
liam until the sore shoulder pro-
ested
Tomorrow hight we so to de pos. y
yes Egreed Steele, his eyes re
lecfing the joy OF victory. hard won
Send one of the boys for David at
nee"