Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-03-12

foreseeing glory for himself even II
death paid for 1t. he. was coming alone.
Every instinct reached its highest
tension In Jeems as danger ap-
preached which he would be able to
touch with his hands in another mo
ment or two. He removed himself
gently from Toinette's embrace and
prepared his arms and body for action
Their eyes had grown more accus.
toned to The gloom. and Toinptte
could see him as he crouched forward
and gathered himself for the struggle
which would mean life or death for
them. Suddenly ste understood that
Ii would not be struggle When the
Seneea's head appeared Jeems Ratchet
would smash Ii in. She could see the
Ratchet. Ii was poised to strike.
There wonld he no cry--no NOM
only that terrible. hidden sound. She
listened TO the doomed man slowly
coming.
The feathers Of his tnft appeared
first. then the long black scalp lock.
the hair-plucked head, pair OF shout
derR Jeems put all his strength be-
hind the appraised Ratchet. He knew
there must be but one blow-well
placed In the middle of the skull. That
would end 1t. lie almost closed his
eyes and the Ratchet descended little,
an overwhelming sense OF the horror
OF the thing holding back his stroke.
1t was not simply killing: 1t was MUIR
der. The Seneca turned his head and
looked up. Ills eyes were trained for
use at night. and he saw more clearly
than Jeems. He saw the white face.
the Ratchet. the death behind it, and
he waited. transformed to stone. No
voice came to his lips and no move
ment to his cramped body in this mo-
ment OF shock and stupefaction when
he must have realized that all the
power OF his forest gods could not
help him. The pupils of his eyes
gowed darkly- lie did not breathe.
Conscious OF his impending end. he
was amazed bur not terrified. Ills
fine countenance did not shrink from
the steel about TO sink into his brain.
For second more the blade did
not fall. and In that second Jeems'
eyes and those OF the savage met
steadily. Then the Ratchet clattered
to the rock floor. and with a protest
IT Irfn xxsIo mr. nIv .ouk
done. Jeems clutched at the Seneca's
throat The Indian WAS at a disad-
vantage, and though his powerful body
strainfd and fought to loosen the chok-
that In q short time he was limp and
unconscious.
The Seneca's adventure, and the
comhat--if It could be distinguished
by that name-had not terminated
moment too soon for those concealed
under the rocks. The trail hunters
we're now aWnre that the placing Of
the arrow had heen a riise to delay
| them and began swarming hack to the
ridge Half dozen warriors gathered
in fierce and animated debate close
about the racks.
If Toinette's nerves We're on the
point of breaking, then Odds were In
no better condition when the Senecas
returned to Tie ridge Ills heart was
hreakin. In IFS suhiection to. inactivity
and stiffness Now he looked again ON
victory. His master was triumphant
as the Indians returned. and crowded
about the rocks Defiance rose. 10 ,hi5
soul In an Overwhelming food lie
hated the smell outside lie hated the
creatures who made It. Without
warming. his passion. broke loose In
the bowling rage Of a beast gone mad.
Tolnette's arms and Jefms' hands
/ were futile In their efforts to stop It.
The Seneca on the stone floor moved
little.
outside there fell an awful stiffness.
Then Odd realized whit he had done
and grew quiet. They could feel
rather than hear yelvet-footed, voice
less Gordon gathering about them In
ring OF death
ITO be continued1