Nebraska Newspapers

    THE 8EMLWEEKLY TRIBUNE, NORTH PLATTE, NEBRASKA,
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B A Tale of Adventures on By j (
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The two preceding Installments described the rescue of a quarter
breed girl and two men from an Indian attack at the edge of Lakotah
Indian reservation, by Capt. Floyd Hardy, U. 8. A., the new Indian
agent. The rescued ones are Reginald Vandervyn, nephew of United
States Senator Clemmer and agency clerk, Jacques Dupont, pbst trader,
and his daughter, Marie. Vandervyn tells Hardy of disaffection among
the Indians, of the murder of Nogen, the last agent, and of his hav
ing been promised tho agency. Hardy calls a council of chiefs at the
agency. Redbear, the halfbreed Interpreter, brings his sister, Olnna, to
the valley. Captain Hardy accepts a dinner Invitation from, the Du
ponts and learns something which amazes him and causes, all sorts of
trouble.
mumKmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmsi
CHAPTER IV Continued
The hostess signed her Indian hoy to
take the box Into tho parlor, together
with tho Ico bucket, In which wits still
left a bottlo of chnmpngne. Ab he
obeyed, sho bowed her dismissal of tho
guests from tho table. j
"I shall now permit myself to bo
fatigued," sho snld. "Good evening,
Mr. Vandervyn. Good evening, Captain
Hardy."
Vandervyn nodded, and followed Du
pont with a nonchalant hearing that
drew attention from tho slight uncer
tainty of his step. Hardy llngorcd for
a word of appreciation: "This has
been n most enjoyable evening, Miss
Dupont."
She choKO to disregard tho sincerity
and warmth behind the formal phrase.
"You aro very kind, Captain nordy.
But pray do not overestimate. Where
all clao is off-color, three-quarters
white seems dazzling."
"Bollovfl mo, It la not a question of
contrast or comparison," ho protested.
"Not even In Now York or Washing
ton" "You flatter mo. And now, ns I am
tired "
Ho bowed and left her, concealing
tho sting of her pollto rebuff under his
grave smllo. Tho Indian boy, who was
landing at the parlor door, closed It
behind tho guest at a sign from Mnilc.
Dupont took tho drink that ho had
poured out for himself and undertook
the perilous operation of opening the
champagne, no fumbled tho bottlo and
would liavo dropped It had not Van
dervyn Jumped up and taken It from
Mm. Thrust asldo by tho younger
wan, ho lurched and sat down In n
cfcnlr near Hardy.
"Shellpp'ry ben In Ico," ho ex
plained with solemn emphasis. Ho
Hardy did not smile. "Explain," he
ordered.
"Oh you mean Jnko's pipe dream
that this low-grado stuff, muy some
tlmo turn Into n streak of solid gold.
But of courso you wouldn't stand for
tho thrco of us dividing up tho pro
ceeds, even If It did turn out a bo
nanza?"
"Certainly not."
"Your Idea would be to glvo nil tho
profits to tho tribe, even If wo hod
bought the ore and taken tho risk of its
turning out worthless?"
"I am tho acting agent, not n trader."
"Nom'chien I" muttered Dupont.
"That ain't no wuy to treat n white
man, Cap. Won't you let 'cm trudo mo
no more ore?"
"I shall Investigate before I decide,"
said Hardy, nnd lie rose to leave. "Good
evening. Good evonlng, Mr. Vandervyn."
Ho went out. Dupont gaped nftcr
him, nnd grunted Incredulously: "Fifty
thousand mado It fifty thousand, nnd
ho didn't Jump at It I"
"Told you so," snapped Vandervyn.
"But wo'll fix him yet two moro cards
up our sleovo. If ono falls to tako tho
trick, wo'll play iho other. We're not
going to bo bluffed out at this stage of
tho gnme."
Dupont caught at the whisky bottlo
with n shaking, hand. "No, by Gar,"
he protested. "Wo don't play that
other card, Mr. Van. I quit first."
"Oh, well," replied Vandervyn, "If
you'ro going to throw down, I shall not
try to play It nlonc. But yotfru In on
tho next play."
Dupont grunted, nnd poured himself
n full glass of whisky.
CHAPTER V.
By-Play.
RiinrlKn fount! Vnndorvvn rl diner
throw nacK ms ncau unu nurse into nn down t,,0 yMoy on hl8 nimblo-footed
uproarious laugn. "HUClippry uko n!nf n left thn rond nnd enntered
that gobc-moucho Rodboar. Him trying ncroSH jnto the bend where Redbenr
to smooth mo down zlf tlmt'd glvo hnd pointed out hi8 now house to
Win u show with M'rlol An mo tho nnrdy. When Vandervyn roao up,
Bqunrcst trauer in mo u. h.i wny, Rcducnr Wns shoveling clay upon tho
lash tlmo I got goods on credit, they uncoVcrcd brush thatch nt ono corner
sent mo n skcBhnlo to lisht my of tno P00 rrho halfbreed did not
lt'bll'tles. 'n' I Jush took my pon In ban' 8to work untn hl8 vIflUor drow rei
W wroto 'cross thn' shoro Hsh, 'I don't nimot within arm's roach. Vnndorvvn
awo no man nushlng,' " Ho again drew mot hin etvll croetlnc with n cvnlcnl
nucu nis ncau ana ioi out a nonrso 8mn0,
luugll. "So vou'vo bulldcd vou n home.
i "Poor grnmmnr, but rich rhotorlc, Charlie, now's your sister Wltinn?
juko," reniaritca vnnueryyn ns no mien TutU's tho name, Isn't It?"
tho champagne glasses. "iou tola mo ,.No wo miy it O-oo-nnh. Tho Bchool
tioy gave you the credit you asked n0onlo mndo her got up nt four. I told
r." hnr to nlnon nil dnv. if sho liked."
r "I got tho goods." snid Dupont, pun- "Oomo un tho creek. I wont to tell
lag himself together nnd sobering ms yoH g0mothlng," replied ' Vandervyn.
mnguo witn an orcort. "jNotnmg nue when they hnd gone boyond eurshot of
Being on the square That's what tho cabin, ho BtODiied his pony nnd
ftttkes me sore at thorn thoro chlofs, fliccd ti,0 uncnsy halfbreed with u look
Cav. Won't lot mo help out tho bucks of sympathetic concern. "Charlie, It's
td squaws wnnrn acmng tor wont nU up
good pay in trndo goods, and us talc- nedbcar'a fnco turned n mottled gray.
Utg all rlska on tho ore Braelting out "All nil up?" ho gasped
W. Q. WhnHl tho tribe do niter tnoy "Amounts to tho samo thing," nn
m tlielr last Issuo next spring? 8WOrcd Vnndorvyn. "Wo sounded him
feat'fl what I'd llko to know." jft8t uight. no won't sit in to tho gnmo
"Yes. captain," said Vnndorvyn. tho board-bucked fool I No chnnco
Noxt spring will como tho last Issuo
goods that is provided for In tho
aovorntnent treaty with this trine.
They will bo In a bod fix if something
fej not dono to got. them used to wnuo
ys.M
"How nbout a new treaty, to parti
tton tho reservation and glvo lnnd In
Nflvorntty to each head of n family?"
(tetrirestcd Hardy,
"That would take n long timo to
Urine nbout. and meantime tho young
frucks should bo tnught to work, Why
Wouldn't It bo a good iden for us to
take clmrco of tho mine pay nil wno
nnt to work nt fair wages, nnd tako
me nsii oi buuiuk uui uuujr
Mt of tho ore Bhlpments?"
As Vnndorvyn mude tho suggestion,
ke nmllod ingenuously, nnd his hnuu
terno. flushed face shone with phllan
ronlc enthusiasm, llnruys inco ugut
with n responsive glow, uo smuou
Into tho boyish bluo eyes,
"The proposal does you credit," no
responded. "You may count on mo to
ofcirlbuto my ohnro."
You will, will you, Cap?" exciaimcu
ttenont. Ho rcnchcu out his inic-un-
ercd hand. "You'ro in, noyi rui n
Wre, oldpnrdl Just you mnko thorn
It's bad enough. As soon ns ho finds
out nbout tho mine, ho will kick the
whole bunch of us off. tho reservation.
Thnt'fl tho kind of fool ho Is."
"Ho can't put mo off. I'm n member
ol iho tribe."
"Yes, nnd Jake Is n member by mar
riage. Lots of good that will do you
both In tho guardhouse."
Redbear cringed nt the word. "But
my sister Ho won't put mo in."
"Wnlt nnd sco when ho finds out
how things have been going here. Lot
him find out anything against you, nnd
It's Charlie In the Jug, with his Job
gone glimmering."
The halfbreed looked up, hl8 eyes
desperate, his faco set In the grin of n
cornered rat. Ho muttered n curse.
"That's It, boy I" encouraged Van
dervyn. "Don't lay down. We're with
you. But remember, we've got to make
n bluff. It's up to us to bluff him off,
or throw down."
"I don't understand you, Mr. Van."
"Here It is, then. Ho doesn't know n
word of Lakotah. The tribe doesn't
know English. You nro tho Interpreter.
Oct thnt?"
Redbear shook his head. "No, I
don't."
"Yes, you do, Charlie. We've already
told Hardy that there Is a lot of bad
blood stirred up. It will be easy to
translate tho talk of the chiefs that
wny. You can stnrt In by telling them
how ho pacified tho Moros. He killed
nenrly ns many of them as there nro
members of this tribe. Tho chiefs he
put in Jail. AH tho rest he moved to
another Island you can say, to an
other reservation."
"But If that is a lie"
"It Isn't. It's exactly what hap
pened. Tho Moro head chief was kept
in Jail until he was hung. Be sure to
tell that to old Thunderbolt. If it falls
to warm hlra "
"Hogunny-hunk 1" gasped Redbear.
"They onco put him In Jail for n week.
If I tell him, It will muke him flghtlug
mad."
"That's what wo want. I'll post you
to Interpret what ho says, In u wuy
that will get Hardy's goat. No man
has nerve to stand up to a whole tribe.
Ho will have to quit. Then tho Job
comes to me. You know what that
means."
"You promised mq a full share."
man kept his eyes to tho front. But
ss Mario soon glanced about.
"JL.OOKI" sue sum.
no turned nnd saw Olnna with the
big grunlte-wnro cup to hor uptllted
Hps, draining the moist sugar from the
bottom. The action wns laughably
childish, but the girl's attitude was the
perfection of grace. Marie caught tho
look that flitted ncross Vnndcrvyn'a
face, nnd her eyes flashed.
"So I wns right I" she exclaimed.
"Vnii iro fllrHnr with lior."
"i wrung witn nerv' no womier
Ingly queried, nnd he turned sideways
In his saddle, to stare wide-eyed nt his.
companion, from the tip of her dainty
riding boot un to tho feather felt hat
parents. Tho blend of types nppnrent on lcr coal-black hair.
In her fuce wns fer from unplcnslng. Un,ier Umt nroloneed scrutiny tho
Sho kept her boCJ brown eyes shyly scnrlet of the ulrl's nncer chnnired to
downcast. Yet she must have watched rosei nnj i,er eyea Bnnk as coyiy n8
hlra covertly through her long lushes. lm( oinnn's. Ho smiled. The drl wns
The ten wns hot. He sipped It slowly g00,i to look upon.
anu gionteu on tno girrs contusion, un- MId-mornlnir wns nnst when thnv
nble longer to endure the strain, Olnna wnu-cd their ponies up the slope of
nt Inst faltered In timid desperation: lho terrace. Tho bare level, back of tho
"lou you nro mr. van. unaruc no warehouse, was dotted with groups of
suld you und ho nro pnrtners." stoudi hnlf-nnkcd Indians.
"Partners?" repeated Vandervyn with i.Look exciaimc! tho drl.
n quick frown. "He said that?
Tho girl shrank back. "Please, sir,
he didn't mean anything wrong."
"What more did ho say?"
"Nothing only that. Please, It's
only his wny of talking."
"That's ull right. Don't be nfratd,"
Vandervyn reassured her with n quick
change to smiling friendliness. "I am
Charlie's best friend."
"What is it?" he nsked.
"Don't you see? There is not n
woman or child among them. Let us
go nnd find out what Pero thinks of It."
CHAPTER VI.
Thunderbolt
But Dupont was not nt home. When
thnv fulloil tn flnil lilm nlthnr In flin
"Oh, thank you, thank you I Ho Is atoro or tho llvlntr rnAms. Mnrin
my only brother. Wo have nobody stepi,ed to the door for nnother look
else; only ourselves." nt the Indians, nnd then calmly went In
T 111 1 - A t t 1 J J- I -
in ner grauiuue mo gin lorgoi nur to I)reDnro a noon dinner.
self-consciousness. She raised her vnminrwn .m,nfnrn,i vr , nr.
soft eyes and looked full at Vnnder- flce 0u the wny back he observed Red-
vyn. o f , i , , T I'eur, out back of tho warehouse, drift-
Though sho blushed scarlet, sho was ,ng unobtruslvely from ono group of
uuume iu lum ..ui buiu unu, indin8 to another. Hnrdy was at his
uriu-iu uiuu ejreo. ,isic i thn nmro intonf nn thn mv.
"O-ce-nuh," he drew out her name in orniuent. trcay wlth the tribe.
the caressing tone that ho would havo
At noon, as the head chief of tho
USfU 111 1UIIU11UK u lioi uujj. Urllin hn.l nnl- vf nrrlvn.l TTn Av ,1
She smiled even ns sho trembled. He "n "7 7"" "m.
. r . "m. TMy eal. A they rounded Hardy's
to put his arm t J
sprang clear with the nglllty of n star
tied doe.
"Oh, come now 1" ho urged. "Just a
kiss. What's tho harm of a kiss?"
The girl had retreated Into the cabin.
He blocked the door. There was no
faces of the chiefs and headmen
among whom ho had passed.
"Well, Jaker what's the good word?"
Inquired Vandervyn.
The trader gloomily shook his head.
oaths over ready on his tongue : "Nom
d'un chien I Cap, you sure ain't going
to risk nil our scalps by bucking his
game?"
"I shall see what ho wants, and then
do whnt I consider right," replied
Hardy. "Miss Dupont, I ask you to
stay close indoors. Mny I nsk yon to .,
have your Indian boy tqko my mnro
down to Rcdbenr's sister, with orders
for her to escape If she hears any fir
ing? Mr. Vandervyn, you mny remain
here or Join myself und Rcdbcnr, as
you prefer."
"I'll go ulong with you, cnptnln. You
mny have to fight your whyMmck hero."
Hnrdy nodded In approbation of the
spirited reply, bowed to Marie, nnd
started for the agency buildings with &
step thnt was brisk yet dignified. Tho
Indinns hnd assembled for the council
In n semicircle, three rows deep, fac
ing- the rear of the warehouse. Hardy
went first to his cabin, whore ho
"broke" his rllle nnd put n plcco of
tho mechanism Into his pocket.
"There shall be no display of weap
ons on our part," ho ordered. "You
will not take your rifles. At close quar
ters your rovolvers will be more ef
fective. Carry them concealed."
"We will put on coats," said Vander
vyn. "Come to my cabin."
"Meet me nt the olllce," directed
Hnrdy, nnd he walked on ahead, cool
and resolute.
The others soon rejoined him, Red
bear In an old shooting jacket, nnd
Vandervyn in u frock coat nnd tile, to
Hnrdy reminiscent of smart society,
but to the Indians emblematic of palo
faco dignity. When the little party
came around the end of the wnrehouso
to take, up' their position beforo tho
silently awaiting nsscmbly, tho covert
glnnccs of the innny bendlike eyes first
turned upon the chief clerk. Soon,
however, they shifted to the erect mlll
tary figure of tho new agent, nnd rcn
mulncd fixed.
The Indian police, fully armed, start
ed to file out of the guardhouse. Hardy
waved them back, nnd seated .himself
on the chair thnt Redbear had brought
way for her to elude htm If he wished "A,n,t none Mr- Van. No women, no
to press his vantage. children, no old men Just bucks. No
'No. no. nlense " she becered. "At uu," x UKCU "Ul i" leece
enimni f liov tniH inn onlv hnd elrls let camp. Ponies nil In' tepees down
men kiss them " They're glttlng ready to slip down
"Bah !" he scoffed. "What do those trecj--
old fossils know nbout it?" His voice , " yu raeiin "ey expect troumer
deepened to nn alluring richness. ns eu ""-y; , M . , ,
"Come. I will not "hurt you, Oluun. "Well, It kind of looks thnt wny," nn-
Glvo mo a kiss." swci;ed Dupont.
"Let me let me out I" sho panted. explain, oruereu Hardy.
"Not unless you pay toll," "ru remember I told you there was
She looked around for some wny of lot or nnu dioou stirreu up. it nil
There wns none. She stared turns on wiietiier Thunderbolt feels tno
same xiinrs oiu ai-owa-konza, the
head chief. If he's feeling bad, we'd
escape.
I am confident there will bo no
trouble," said Hnrdy. "We hnve only
to find out the cause of the 111 feeling
clean to town." "Stop I" he called In n tone that loopno.eu. wnter insiao ana n lot oi
boy I" praised -Vandervyn. forced tho girl to obey. "Don't be silly, erub nml ammunl lon-we-can hold it
our breakfast? Yes! ? Then Olnna. You havo my word for It I Jjjgi th e- whole trlb e, if tho p'leece
to the agency nnd pass tho meant no harm. Jt you run now .Miss i ,,.,. nnv
"It's Up to Us to Blutf Him or Throw
Down."
imn kl-yl-B Bavvy thoy'vo got to to dcnl with. him, nnd you know what
kuntlo for what wo glvo 'em, llko No- that means. Next thing, he'll havo It
gen done, and wo'll round up utty nil out or tno cnicra mo mine every'
thousand nnloco boforo snow flics." thing."
"What's thut?" demanded nnrdy, In- "No, no, Mr, Vun l Ho can't find out,
stontly stiffening to atom rigidity, Thoy don't know nbout what you and
Ho failed to catch tho furious glancQ mo Nobody saw us nobody, It
from Vnndcryyn that sent their half- there'd been n fresh track, anywhere
fuddled host lurching over to tho lusldo a qunrtor-mlle, I couldn't have
whlBky bottlo. When ho did turn, the missed It."
pkitf clerk met kla hard glance wlU a Vandorvyn shrugged. 'Tm not so
teawiu: wink and o chuckling com- sure of Mutt. You are not a full-blood
Matt "4r.e4r tracker, But what If Umt la covered)
"Yes, nnd that means n third of tho wildly out through the window and
not nrnpnfwla nnw flint MmrAn la t rx9 tlion looked nt him over her shoulder.
tho way. Only, remember, you get Te sudden stillness of her pose better look oiit.
nothing none of us gets n cent more checked nml uisquicteu mm. vus n
out of It If Hnrdy Btaya. It's up to possible that she hud seen her brother
vnn nnw. Plmrlln Vm him dm fini- rnfnrnlnir?
nml cot vnni- Hluirn nr mi fnu iintvn Tin snrnnc outside nnd around to tho anu remove it.
lose Hlinrn nml Inh. nnri tn , m.nr.il comer of tho cabin. A short distance It can be removed," qualified
i nwnv ho saw Mario Dunont riding Vandervyn.
nnnUnntlnrv. Whinh i tt tn hnv' across from the rond nt n smart can- "Better figure on letting the ware-
Redbcnr's ratllko grin had changed ter. He waved his hat to her and faced ouso go and I piling into my place, Cap;
to tho grlmaco of a rabid coyote, auout just as uinna was gnuing irom 7 J, , , t,b-
n.irB i,im t i,n cnn,i,i ..im ,i, tho door. P"t "I'll show you how I got it all
him run clean to town." ' "Stop I" he called in n tone that loopholed. Water Inside nnd n lot of
"Good
"nnd your
I fnf tin in
;mll 2 , "l"ri ? "Oh Idon-r want her to. Sho was needlessly alarm your daughter."
Hardv Is a eoltl-henrtert nrmv mnriinnt good to mo. Don't let her think bad "Can't scare her," grunted Dupont.
who despises Indians. Ho Is planning o ,n" implored tho girl. They were now almost nt tho house
to stort all Issue coods. and intends to ."Then go In and get her n cup of porch. Marie appeared In the door-
punish tho chiefs for tho killing of No- tea. Quick hero she comes." wuy, aglow with nnlmatlon
gen. But If ho leaves tho reservation. The girl disappeared as Mario's pony "Good day, Captain Hardy. I fear
I beconio the agent. I will mako no swung around the comer of the cabin, we hnd breakfast too early for you.
troublo over Nogen, nnd will see that Vandervyn stooped to fiddle with his Pore, you look, sober as an awl. You
tho government keeps giving Issue stirrup leather. He straightened, nnd can't bo afraid of an outbreak. What
goods to the tribe for n long time, looked over his pony's back, Mario If they do turn loose? I have every-
That's tho tnlk. Now trot nlong und had pulled up n few feet awny, nnd thing ready all tho loopholes opened
got them screwed up." wns staring past him toward tho door and the meat brought In from tho lce-
"Otnun?" snld Redbenr. of tho cabin, her cheeks nblazo nnd house. It will keep In the cellar."
"Don't waste tlmo going back" re- 1,er eyes ll"sulnB with nngcr, Hnrdy followed the others Into tho
piled Vandervyn. "I'll stop nnd tell "nello I" ho exclaimed, glancing over parlor, and looked nt the Blots cut
your sister not to expect you homo un-! Hia shoulder with woll-felgned surprise, through, the wallpaper to expose the
til after tho council. Got busv Walt. "What's tho matter?" loopuoies, irom which tne cuinKS nnu
Wo can work In tho police. Tell thorn "You ask that?" she cried. "I met bcon removed.
they nro ordered to wnlt nt tho guard- Charlie half way to tho agency. He Miss Dupont," ho said, "you aro n
house until tho council Is under way. said you were riding out of tho vnl- very brave young lady."
Thoy nre then to march nround nnd ley." "ics, it took courage to cut my wall-
post therasolvcs behind Hnrdy, fully "Yes.- Stopped hero to get a drink paper," sho replied
armed. If tho chiefs got angry, they I from his Bister. They hnve only creek "And nil for nothing, I feel sure,'
uro to closo up nround Hardy. Aro you water. I've had to wait while she ho declared. 1
on?" boiled somo for teu. But It was n "Well, It's best to bo ready, in case."
Redbeur responded with nn eager I lucky delay you'ro here. You'll rldo muttered Dupont.
nod, nnd stnrted oft nt n Jog trot. Vun- with mo?" The girl's eyes sparkled. "I wouldn't
dorvyn smiled, turned his pony nbout, "I wish to speak to that girl," re- mlnd-n day or two of fighting. Whnt
nnd rode back to tho cabin. Without plied Marie. fun It must havo been In the old dnysl
dismounting, ho reached down nnd "Going to hire her for n kitchen "Fun?" exclaimed Vandervyn.
knocked, tho door opened n scant Jnch mold?" ho nsked, and ho called over - "I have no doubt wo could defend
and Olunn peeped out nt tho visitor. his shoulder In n rough tone: "Hurry the house," remarked Hnrdy. "We
'"Lo," he snld In nn Indifferent tone, up In there. You'ro keeping Miss Du- could hold out until the nrrlvnl of
"I brought word to your brother that pout waiting." troops. But there will be no uprising,
he was wanted nt onco. Told htm II "You should not speak that way to no trouble."
would let you know, Ho will not boTOlnnu. Sho is not u dog." renroved "Ol, captain I" protested Marie,
homo until nf ter tho council." Marie. "See : you havo frightened T1y passod on Into tho dining room,
"Thnnk you. filr," murmured tho girl, her It's nil light, Olnna. Mr. Van where tho silent Indian boy nt once
"No trouble nt nil," replied Vnnder- didn't mean to be cross." served dinner. It wns n plain fnmlly
vyn. "You don't happen to have a Tho girl had stopped lu the door- uicnl. But tho chlnn and plated waro
drink of good water handy, do you?" way, her oyes timidly downcast. With- were nrtlstlc, the table linen was clean
Instinctive hospitality ovorcamo tho out looking up, sho enmo around to Ma- il the food very well cooked.
girl's shyness. Her tnll young figuro rlo and offered hor the cup of luke- Dupont wns still gormandizing when
nnd handsome faco appeared as tho warm tea thnt she had brought In Redbenr enmo with tho news thnt
door swung open. obedience to Vnndervyn's commnnd. Tl-own-konza hnd at last reached tho
"I boll tho water. Do you like tea?" Marie took u sip and puuscd to peer ugency, Tho halfbreed looked so wor
sho naked In a. flutelike voice. down Into the dark brew. rled that Vandervyn roso from tho
"All right.'! "Mercll" sho cried. "It Is half tablo as quickly as Hnrdy. Dupont
When she returned to tho door, he BUgur." pnuscd with a sllco of pumpkin pie
wus tightening his saddle girth. He "vou wero good to me," naively ex- upraised in his hand.
kept her waiting several moments be- plained Olnna. "What's tho rumpus, Charlie?" he
fore ho turned to take tho cup of ten. Murlo Jaughed nnd handed bnck tho asked. "Old Thunderbolt ain't gone
Tho hand that held tho cup was rough offering, on the warpath, has ho?"
from hard work, hut tho girl's cheap "You child I Drink It yourself. I "No, ho looks quiet now. But ono
calico dress wns neat nnd clean nnd It enn guess how few sweets you've hnd of tho headmen told mo ho snld he
covered n form ns supple nnd erect ns I nt school. Como on, Reggie." would wipe out Uio agency if tho now
n reed. Unlike her brother, she had In- Vnndervyu mounted, nnd their po- agent didn't do what ho wanted."
hcrltud only Uie good features of her I nle started off no a lope. The young Dupont muttered ono of the two
The Bare Level Was Dotted With
Stolid, Half-Naked Indians.
from the office. With n calm, direct
gaze, Hnrdy studied the nppenrance of
tho triple row of Indians. To an In
experienced eye they could not have
nppeared more peaceably disposed. But
Hardy s keen eyes noted thnt the
blankets of some of the men In the
reur were hunched out over well-filled
quivers of arrows. Here and there on
the ground beside the subchlcfs who
formed the front row n muzzle of a
rifle thrust from under tho outspread
blanket ends.
Hnrdy nt last fixed his gaze on Thun
derbolt, who sat In tho center of the
tow of subchlefs, nnd nf ter n delibera
tive silence thnt accorded with tho In
dian iden of etiquette, spoke to Red
bear: "Tell them that I am plensed
to meet in council with the hend chief
nnd subchlefs nnd headmen of the
tribe. I am here to find out what has
troubled the tribe nnd to soo whatever
Is wrong shall be made right."
Redbear glanced nt Vnndervyn, who
stood behind Hnrdy. The eyes of the
chief clerk narrowed, nnd his email,
red mouth straightened. Redbear drew
In n quick breath, faced about, nnd nd
dressed the nsscmbly. What ho said
took several momenta to deliver.
The hush thnt followed seemed to
quiver with suppressed hostility,
though the faces of tho Indinns re
mained stolid. At last old Tl-own-
konzn ventured a response. His tono
nnd bearing wero mild. He first spoko
soothingly to his fellow councilors, and
then nddresscd Hnrdy In dignified re
monstrance. When he sat down again,
Redbear stood silent, uncnsy nnd vacil
lating.
"Interpret," ordered Hnrdy.
"I I It isn't easy. You mightn't
like It," mumbled the halfbreed.
"Never mind thnt. Proceed."
"Well, It's not easy to get It Just the
samo," hesitated Redbear. Ho glanced
at Vandervyn, licked his Hps, and be
gan: "He says all this land belongs to the
tribe ; that tho white man has no busi
ness here. He says that ho Is not
sorry Mr. Nogen was. killed, but ho is
sorry that you havo -come here. Ho
says his people do not like tho Long
knives, who used to kill them, nnd
they do not want you for agent, be
cause you aro n chief of tho Long
knlvcs. Ho says they llko Mr. Vnn,
nnd they want hlra to be their ngent
mm
61
How long do you think It will
take Hardy to find out that he
Js being double-crossed by Van
dervyn and Redbear? Will Marie
help him or do you think she
Is crooked too?
(TO BB CONTINUED.)