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

tlHB. lney nHu ioFeSeen tfidt he might
try to enlist Fireheart-just too late
to stop him-and had guessed by what
route he would return. As he dipped
through the inky shadow of a mid
way ~turf-house, a v~engeful patient foe
came into his own.
Eric had walked into a trap. Nor
could he break free again; heavy
shoulders smote his side, and strong
arms encircled his thighs. Before he
could turn to fight. a second assailant
leaped on his back and caught him
around the neck and a third, on the
opposite side. wrenched the spear
from his hand Their combined weight
hurled him headlong: the darkness
was streaked with fire.
1t was a savage, silent attack; but
some cool mind far within his reel
Ing head was astonished at Its re
pressed power. why didn't these foes
.mpale him quickly on their spears.
while they had the chance7 Why
were they so careful with him. not
striking him with their lists, anxious
not to knock him senseless. nicely
measuring their violence to hold him
fast but not to break his bones7 IT
this was mercy. 1t was a strange kind.
1t was as though they wished to keep
him fresh for some %revelry to follow.
Yet he thanked them In his heart
When his break came, he would need
every ounce of strength they would
spare him. When two of them held
him while the third lashed his wrists,
he made no futile struggle.
They hauled him TO his feet, and In
grim haste led him toward the beach.
Only when they emerged full under
moonlight did he recognize his cap
tors-Sydney Bill and the two Smiths.
They were breathing hard, through
set teeth-a sign Eric feared.
His vitals cold. his head swimming.
his temples dripping sweat, Eric could
not at once credit the scene on the
beach. II had the uncanny quality OF
a dream: silence. grayness. timeless-
ness, and the difficulty of telling what
was alive, what was dead. The rocks.
the sleepy sea, and the moonlit strand
seemed to share the same repressed,
sinister animation abiding In Sando-
mars impassive frame.
Sandomar sat on q boulder, his paws
In his lap. the moonlight In his british
eyes. Back OF him stood Cargo, and
far a tauu tfmn nathan mudo : r,nra
said a word. Cooky and Petron were
dark shapes squatting ON the sand.
somehow grotesque, ominous. There
was q silvery CLINT on the crags. =
witchlight over the sea. The waves
rolled up dreamily and Tapped the
pebbled strand: the wind whispered.
sobbed softly, died away. Fabulous
rubies glowed In the ashes of the
supper fire.
Az last Sandomar's monotone
streamed into the silence. II see you
caught him.
Just where you said he'd be" sgd
ney Bill answered, In hushed tones.
so I'll try him." Sandomar went on.
unaware that Sydney Bill had spoken.
"Garge-get him ready"
The little cockney came weaving
across the sand. There was something
horribly exultant In the lightness OF
his step. the position OF his hands. He
held a spear-thong tied In \ moose.
which he dropped loosely over the
prisoners head. Holding the end, he
slashed with his knife the ropes bind
Ing Eric's wrists. At the same time.
Little Smith raked up the Goals of the
supper fire and threw on fresh fuel.
Eric's brain was clearing. now. His
eyes moved In their sockets as he
sized up the ground. But there was
no chance or shadow OF chance for es-
cape. At his first move. the moose
about his throat would Jerk tight, and
Big Smiths ready spear would whiz
down. He waited quietly.
"You showed us how to hold court.
SO don't blame us II we learned the
lesson WELL" Sandomar went on. with
somber dignity. You're charged with
the killing Of Swede. You'll remem- |
Der that Swede lay Just about where
you're standing now. Cargo, you
speak for the prisoner"
Cargo took a step forward. In the
spreading freight his lace looked
sharp aid pinched as a starved rats.
II don't think VI ought to be too ard
on this ere prisoner" he began, his
tone dripping with malice. II think |
all we ought to do to I'm lis cool
i'm off"
There was a long b~reathless pause.
How you goin' about to do that.
Garge7" Cooky asked. Plainly this |
was part of a mock trial rehearsed be-
forehand.
wei just tie i'm and and foot,
and lay him down on the tide fiat. The
tides just turning In, and 1t viii cool
I'm oil proper In the next six hours"
Your plea for mercy for the prIs-
oner Is granted" Sandomar said, just
as though Garge's venom had entered
his dead ears. "Ericssen, you've given
us some cold nights, but it's your turn
now
He'll flop around enough to keep
warm. when the water gets M to fs
month - GarUa rurrod L