Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1934-02-01
XI-Continued

SaH sAiP oH Hit Btt pHeA
SAFE
She. drew a deep breath. "Wha
are you going to dor
Find Firehear, and ask her to
help u.s."
do you think" Mans throat filled,
but she went on bravely. that Its
worth the risk? They may be laying
for you"
"I1l be careful. Anyway, It's our
only chance for complete victory
He listened and watched a moment
more. Nan. hold up one of the
robes between mo and the lamp. I'm
going to make a hole. and sneak
away"
She obeyed without protest: soon
the aperture would admit his body.
PUT the clods back when | get out,
so they won't see the light" he d.
rected. IF they find the hole any
way, and learn that I'm not here. let
some Hight through. That will be a
signal of danger"
Apparently he meant to 60 on his
perllous errand without q word of
farewell. and she made no move to
stay him. But at last, when his spear
was ready In his hand. he swayed
toward her with hungry lips.
Good luck. Eric" she whispered.
her mouth moving against his.
~yH
"Good luck. sweetheart. Don't
worry about me. Just sit tight till /
get back. and II you need me. yell at
the top Of your lungs. I'll keep an eye
out anyway, and II | see they're about
to attack. I'll come-a-running.t
At once he slipped through the
aperture. lowering close to the turf
wall. he surveyed the ground. Luck
seemed to be with him. Two of San
domar's gang stood on guard, but they
were In front of the hut door, and by
ducking into the shadow of the next
house he thought he could steal away
unseen. Not d pebble ratified under
his feet as he crept down the village
row to the chapel.
Bright moonlight spread before the
entrance, but Eric crossed 1t boldly.
He found F~ireheart kneeling before
the ikon, lost In some old service
passed down by a long-dead priest.
She sprang to her feet. trembling.
why you nc with white girl, in new
house?" she demanded
I'm In trouble" Eric answered
gravely. i've come to you for help"
The squaw's lip curled. "You come
TO Fireheart? She just ugly squaw.
Why you no 60 to white girl? She
your wife. she help you plenty
i want You to help her. too. The
trouble has come to us ALL"
AMe-help white girl?" Her voice
had a metallic rattle. "Fireheart no.
love h~er-no-love you, too. You get
out trouble best you cam
Eric turned to 20. I'D hoped you'd
be a friend to me. as I'VE been a
friend to all your people"
The squaw's hand leaped out, like a
salmon striking. and clutched his
wrist. 4What trouble come? Fire
heart feel good to know. sandomar
maybe steal wife7"
"%Sandomar has found out the little
gun won't shoot"
Little gun no shoot?" Her slim
breast swelled.
1T hasn't been any good since the
night I.shot Swede."
HAnd you boss whole lsland-Sando-
mar Aleut - everybody - with pre-
tend7s
Yes. but they've found me out.
Snndomar means to kill me and take
Man." Briefly, grimly, be explained
the whole situation.
Her somber gaze stole again and
again to his face. The tendons stood
out on her dark, ~unlovely hands.
"You go back Horizons hut?"
fright now"
Then | 60, and call hunters here.
! tell 'em about little gun-they be
plenty mad. They no like you-you
make 'em work-boss 'em hard-they
glad you get In trouble. Guess NAV
be they like go see Sandomar kin
you"
Eric moved to make a last appeal
but the squaw's drawn face and smol-
dering eyes repealed him. His hone
fickered and died. Turning to the
door, he made a brief survey Of the
moonllt ridge. then crept away. All
that remained now was to carry the III
news to his friends. rally them the
best he could, and lead them to some
more advantageous battle-ground for a
last, desperate stand.
Disheartened, he moved less furtive.
", pausing but briefly to re~connoiter.
along the village row. His fighting
edge seemed dulled- His brain felt
Ike \ clod Inside his skull, he could
not remember the rafting pebbles I'M
Ger his feet Anyway. the coast ap-
peAred clear. II his enemies had dis
severed his errnnd, they would be
waiting for him In the shadow OF Hor-
ts0's hut. not here. He stole on, bis
guard lowered