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About The North Platte semi-weekly tribune. (North Platte, Neb.) 1895-1922 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 13, 1917)
i THE BEMIAVEEKLY TRIBUNE, NORTH PLATTE, NEBRASKA. A Tale of Adventures on An Indian Reservation ON IIIS way to tnko the agency nt Lnkotnh Indian reservation following the murder of Agent Nogen, Capt Floyd Hardy, U. S. A., rescues n tiunrterbreed girl nnd two men from attacking Indians. They aro Jacques ' Dupont, post-trader, his daughter Marie, and Reginald Vundervyn, agency clerk nnd nephew 6f Senator CIcmmcr. Hardy learns Vundervyn had been promised tho ngency by his politician uncle, discovers the Indians aro disaffected becauso they havo been cheated In a tribal mine which Dupont and Vundervyn aro Illegally work ing, Is puzzled when his friendly speech to tribesmen, Interpreted by Vandervyn's halfbrecd tool, angers tho Indians, nnd he determines to find out what's wrong all around und right It Ho proposes marrlago to Marie, whom Vnndervyn also Is courting, nnd Is held off, but nursed tenderly by her when shot and wounded from um bush. Lost In tho mountnlns after a second ambush attempt on his life, Hardy wanders Into tho Indlnn enmp, learns they havo misunderstood his motives through misinterpretation, makes friends with them nnd uccuses Du- r pont and Vnndervyn of rascality to their Srarmy officer, ntiacKtng oui um uiuituuus army officer, attacking notn nis aiicctions nnu ins nouor ns you win co CHAPTER XII Continued. I 7 "Yon add to my regret Yot as net- Ing agent it Is -jr uuty to censuro yur father and Mr. Vnndervyn for do- raving mo. Had they told mo about Wogen'B malfcnsancc his blocking of tho now treaty and compelling tho In- Mlans to work the rolno without pay" "Ho did that?" Mario questioned her Bather "Well, mo and Mr. Van dono nil wo fcould-to Kit him to nay 'cm." mumbled Pupont "Of courso! But ho I did not think Urn so mennl" Tho girl's eyes blazed tad her nostrils dilated. "So that was why ho was shot? I don't blnmo tho Pan who did It I could havo dono It ysclf t Tho thief! Boggle, if only rou had let tho killer escnpo 1" '''Couldn't" tersely replied Vander trm. "Ho wns blood-mad would havo tot Cliarllo nnd mc, too, If wo hadn't U&f him "That was oelf-defcnso," snld Har Ijr. "It has been greed and dishonesty, tltougu, that havo prompted you to eenceal from mo tho facts that led up m the killing. Aside from tho danger to mc, you havo permitted tho tribe to rerge upea nn uprising that would av compelled their pacification by the wnr department All this that you Might steal the oro of this mine." "Steal our own oro?" bellowed Du Bunt "You'ro plumb locoed I" "Not so loud, If you pleaso," quietly replied Hardy. "Tho oro Is not jrours." "That's all you ksow about It," blus- Ked the trader. "Ain't I ono of tho cover ors and loeato;s of, tho locjo?" "The lodo is not subject to locution. H Is on Indian land." "What if It Is? Ain't I a member of Ikko trlbo?" "Tho tribal land has not yet been Allotted In severalty. Every squnro root of ground on tho reservation be pangs to tho trlbo as n wholo. No one Member can hold Individual tltlo to (any of it" "Well, what of U?" demanded Du peat, far from sllonccd. "If tho trlbo pants to work tho mlno, and thoy want tae and Mr. Van to manage It for them and buy tho ore, what In holl have you Btt to say about It?" "Nothing at present," answered Hardy.. "If tho tribe consents, I shall nako no objection. You will bo ablo to cheat them of only a few thousand dollars boforo tho uow treaty Is con nummatod and all this mlnornl land opened to location and ontry under tho mining laws," i The velus on Vandorvyn's crimsoned forehead were swollon and pulsating (with his furious anger. Ho spoko in The Whote Tribe Hatea You and I'm One of the Tribe." high, airy tone: "So you aro going he pull wire to get our mine takou way from ua?" "I shall sob that Justlco Is dono to ward the tribe," said Hardy, aud ho Sxed tho younger man wltli a glnnco ktat compelled him to blink and look Wde. But bow Mario's swlft-mountlug ueern and augur burst out In u storm k passion: "You hypocritol you solf -righteous Krtlnetl You would reprimand my her and Mr, Van, would you? And kadi a thousand times bettor man than yeul Who has made all tho troublo iere since you camo? Tho wholo trlbo mtiw you and I'm ono of tho trlbo! you straight-laced prig I You say Jfttre and Reggie are dishonest, whea Ml they wish to do is to glvo tho tribe kooa work ana gooa pay. uui you 'nnrvvvvvvvvrirvvvvvvvvvvwvrryvvvvvrvrv faces. Out of this situation springs a you want to take away tho mine from tho tribe and from us too 1" nnrdy winced under tho scornful rcpronches, yet did not yield n hair. "I have dono my duty, Miss Dupont I shnll contlnuo to do It I havo no in- tcntlon of robbing nnyone of what Is rigntruiiy nis." "Yet when tho reservation Is thrown open for entry, someone else who novcr saw the mine may slip In ahead of us and Jump It," said Vnndervyn. "That Is somothlng I cunnot pro- vent," said Hardy. You can!" contradicted Marie. "Tho chiefs will not Insist on tho new treaty they will do what Pero thinks best for them and us, if you lenvo the matter to him and Reggie." "I must do my duty ns acting agent," insisted Hardy. Tho girl turned her back upon him In open disdain. Ho raised his hat to and started for tho cabin, his fuco white, but his shoulders squared back and his head very erect CHAPTER XIII. Another Card or Two. A few minutes later Hardy camo out of tho cabin. Though grave, ho was cool and alert Ho ot onco walked up to Dupont, who sat puffing at his pipe on tho top of tho mine-dump. "Itodbcnr seems to bo quiet," ho said. "Whore is your daughter?" Dupont pointed vngucly down tho mountuln-Bldo. "Sho went off with Mr. Van, to try to smooth down his fur. You riled him considerable, Cap." "I regret that It was necessary to reprimand you." "All right, Cap. I don't bear no grudgo. Mcbbo now you'd Hko to tnko n look at the mine." "Yes," crisply ugrced Hardy. Dupont roso und led him into tho mouth of tho tunnel. Thcro ho un locked a heavy tool chest and took out two candles. Thoso wero needed, for though tho tunnel ran Into tho mountain side less than thrco hundred feet its twisting courso along tho ore- vclu soon shut out tho daylight. Du pont noticed his companion's dubious look at tho soft ore-body that formed tho roof and ono wall of tho tunnel. "Walk-quiet, and don't talk loud," ho said. "Wo ain't dono no timbering yet Drovo In this drift to tho foot of the shaft fast as wo could git tho luzy cusses to work, so's wo could flguro what wo hud to count on." Hardy mado no reply uutll they camo to tho end of tho tunnel and stepped out Into tho dim daylight ot tho shaft bottom. Ho looked up tho big, square, timbered well, and re marked: "You sunk this first, then drovo In to meet it" "Yep. Wanted to mako sure tho vein didn't pinch out nowhere. Nogen und Mr. Van both figured wo got thrco hundred thousand dollars of oro as good ns blocked out" "Ah," Buld Hardy, and ho signed to Dupont to lead the 'way back. They had gono twenty-flvo or thirty paces when a llttlo slither of oro foil on tho lloor of tho tunnel in front ot Dupont. Instuutly he sprung forwurd, with a whispered cry: "Jump- quick 1" Hardy leaped aftor him, barely In time to clear tho ton or moro of oro Hint dropped from tho roof In a mass, Without stopping to look behind them, tho two men hustened stealthily down tho slight slopo of tho tunnel, their caudles upraised nnd oyes fixed on tho soft, rnw ore-body abova them. At any moment tho cutiro roof might cavo In and bury them. Tho shock of tho first full loosened small quantities of oro nil ulong tho passage. Fragments drib bled down behind and In front of tho fugitives and even on their heads. Panic-stricken, they broko Into n run. It was none too soou. As they dashed around tho turn that brought them to tho outlot, tho entlro roof behind them cumo thudding down. Sufa outsldo, Dupont shook tho fragments from his hat and clothes, and pulled out his baudauua to wipe off the sweat that was gathering In bends on his forehead. "Ugh 1" ho grunted. "Don't never seo mo in thcro ug'ln till it's timbered." "Rather closo call," remarked Hardy. "You'ro a cool one," muttered tho trader, and ho scowled. "Nom d'un If I hadn't chlen I Just my luck I eung out, you'd 'a' got smashed under that first drop." "I shull not forgot it, Dupont" "Me, neither. 'Stead of being rid of you, hero you aro ready as ever to j clean us out nnu i uono itr By Robert Ames much moro serious dilemma for the in una installment. You do not regret saving my life," asserted Hardy. "Well, mebbe not Just the same, It's mighty hurd luck on us. Here wo went and blocked out nil that thero oro three hundred thousand dollars as good as in our pockets not to spenk of nil that's down under nnd t'other sido tho shaft For all wo know, It runs clean through tho mountain and down to China I" , "That does not niter tho sltuntlon," said Hardy. "Mcbbo It don't, nnd then ng'in " Dupont began to scratch his head. "Yes, mcbbo It don't, nnd then, ag'ln, mcbbo It does. Just you take a look at It this way, Cap. Suppose that new treaty goes through, tho trlbo don't git nothing out of this mine, and wo don't, neither. Just somo lucky bum beats us to It, nnd tho government says It's htsn. Is thnt fulr and square?" "You havo acted outsldo, tho law," said Hardy, "xou must tako your chances with other locators." "How about tho trlbo?" queried Du .pont "Don't you euro nothing about their Interests? Just supposing you nnd mo nnd Mr. Van took hold of this hero proposition for tho trlbo nnd split even with them on tho proceeds. I call that a squaro deal to them and us, too nnd I know Mario would think tho same. Sho likes you, Cap. Just show her you want to do what's best for all concerned, nnd Tin dead sure she "Stopl" commanded Hardy. "Leavo your daughter out 'of this." "You've got to tell mo how I'm going to do It." replied Dupont In nn lujurcd tono. "If I don't git my sharo In tho mine, Mr. Van can't afford tt tako her; and you won't havo no show. But you git in right with Mario, und she'd wdrk her hands to tho bono for you. Sho hln't no common breed girl, neither. You know that She'd bo n real lady, if sho had money only you ain't going to glvo her no chance." . v "Sho knowB thnt I wish to marry her," Bald Hardy. "Think sho believes that when you'ro going to rob mo and her of a fortuno?" Hardy looked directly at tho temp tcr, his oyes clear and resolute, though his fnco was white and drawn. "It la of no uso, Dupont I shall do what consider my duty." Dupont's fnco darkened. "So that's what I git for saving your life. You ain't got n partlclo of gratitude, and you don't caro a banc about her." "I must beg to differ with you," snld Hardy. "But 1 cannot expect you to understand my position." Dupont drew out his plpo nnd re turned to his scat on tho mine-dump, to brood on his wrongs in morose si leuce. Hurdy thoughtfully walked back to tho cabin, drew out a writing pad. from ono of his saddlebags and begnn to draft n semiofficial lcttor to tho most Influential of his fow ac- qtiulntances In Washington. Ho soon became so intent thnt ho did not notlco tho half-dozen figures In dnric bluo uniform thnt camo swing ing down tho precipitous mountain side nbovo tho terrace. When nt last ho finished tho letter and looked up, ho saw all tho members of tho pollco escort drawn up iu lino beforo him, their swarthy faces alight with re spectful friendliness. Their sergennt uttered n guttural word of salutation, and began making signs. Hardy smiled, shook his head, and looked around for nn interpreter. DU pont still snt sulking on tho nilno dump, but Mnrlo nnd Vnndervyn wero coming bnck up tho mountain side. They appeared only n few yards away, as Hardy glanced about Ills Hps drew touso when ho per eclved tho girl's hnppy blushes nnd tho look with which Vnndervyn was regarding her half-averted face. At sight of nardy Bho straightened with proud disdain, nnd would havo Immediately gono around into tho cabin had ho not spoken. "Pardon me, Miss Dupont Thcso men wish to report to mc. May I ask you to Interpret for them?" Tho girl turned coldly to tho ser geant, who at onco poured out un Im passioned declamation, emphasized with swift-formed signs. Ho was still talking, when Dupont sullenly Bham bled over from tho nilno-dump. His discontented face darkened still moro when ho cumo within hearing qf tho speakers. At last tho sorgcant flnlshod his Im promptu orntlou. Without looking at Hardy, Marie gave tho substanco of the speech with contemptuous curt-ness: Beimet "He suys they think you wero very bravo to follow th shooter Into the broken mountain. They nro very sorry that they could not ngaln find tho trail of tho bad Indian after los ing it on the bare rocks from which ho must havo shot Charlie." "Tell them that Is all right Tho fellow thought I was the enemy of his tribe. Ho will soon learn bet ter. Neither ho nor any other will ntmln attack me." "Yes, you havo talked Thunderbolt Into believing you tho tribe's dear est friend," Ironically replied Marie. These silly fellows trailed you to tho chief s cump, nnd havo swallowed whole tho account of tho wonderful good things you aro going to do for tho tribe. All this gush and fuss was over thnt and your big heart" Regardless of tho mockery In the girl's eyes, Unrdy turned to Btnlle and nod at the policemen In acknowledg ment of their kindly feeling. Dupont muttered a curse, and ven tured an Ill-humored remark loud nough to reach Hardy's ears: "The wholo bunch'd sing a different tune If I told them how ho turned down tho cbanco to glvo tho trlbo half What's In our mine." "Chuck It, Jake I" interposed Vnn dervyn, with a good-humored smile that surprised Hardy no less than the trader. "It's up to us to tako our medicine. Wo know it will not bo to tho best Interests of tho tribe. The responsibility, however, is his." "You ain't going to throw down, nro you?" exclaimed Dupont , "What else can wo do?" mildly asked Vandcrvyn. "Tho gamo is up." "What if tho government don't mako it no rush, but has tho entry- men draw lots?" objected Dupont "I been fool enough to show Cnp through tho diggings and tell him what wo got blocked out If ho nln'ti squnro enough to keep Ills head shut, wo won't stand no chanco nt all of buying out tho entrymnn what draws first cholco in tho lottery." "You see, cnptaln," said Vundervyn, As wo discovered and developed tho lode, do you not think tho honorable thing would bo to mako no mention of tho mlno In your report?" "Tho trlbo should recelvo n largo payment for their mineral lands," re plied Hardy. "Quito true," agreed Vundervyn, his voice ringing clear and strong with sincerity. "Thcro was talk of pay lng them fifteen millions. I think it should bo fifteen or twenty. Wo have found Indications of other lodes. I am sure you will seo thnt it would bo perfectly honorable to report that fnct, but leavo out all mention of our mine, anat wouiu protect us, nuu uu no narm to tno tnoc. ix you seo u tnac way, i win pun an tno wires x can to convlnco tho government that this part of tho reservation is rich ln minerals. My undo Is chairman of tho treaty commission. If his report favors n payment of fifteen or twenty millions to tho trlbo, congress will up propriato thnt amount" "If thero are indications of other lodes us ridi as this one, fifteen mil lions Is nono too largo n price," said Hardy. "You ogreo to help obtain fair compensation to tho trlbo?" "Provided you do tho fair nnd lion ornblo thing by us," replied Vnnder vyn. Hardy considered, nnd nodded. "Very well. As between you und tho other cntrymcu, It seems to mo right to withhold your secret. You found nnd developed this mine, nnd It Is not tho fnult of yourself nnd Dupont that Nogen had tho work dono nt the ex- penso of tho tribe." "Pero nnd Mr. Van will pay them for all tho work," proudly stated Ma rle. Dupont gaped ln. blank amuzemcnt at this unwclcomo prediction. Not so Vnndervyn. "Of courso wo shall pay them, cap tain," ho confirmed. "I Intend to list Uio claimants nnd tho nmount due them nt tho council tomorrow. Ncl thcr Jako nor I can afford to settle with them out of hand. But Jake will allow them part payment In trndo goods, und wo shull mako other puy ments as fast as wo get returns from our next oro shipments." "Very good," ngrced nardy. "You nro to understand, however, that the trlbo must voluntarily bring tho ore to tho reservation boundary and thcro Bell it to you. Havo you considered tho risk of tho public surmising tho exlstcnco of tho mlno from tho oro shipments?" "No chanco of that," explained Du pont "Nogen let it out that ho got tho oro from n prospect lu tho nioun tains clcau back ucross tho other boundary of tho reservation, and ho showed around n smelter report of a shipment of oro that we'd doctored with barren rock so's it Just paid out expenses.' Hardy did not smile. Ho returned gravely to Mario. "In vlow of tho genornl agreement Miss Dupont may I hope that you" "You may not, Captain nardy," sho ungraciously Interrupted. "You In- Riiltod niv father. Ho nnd I shall nt onco leavo for home," Dupont looked to Vondervyn, nnd received a sign to acquiesce. "Don t want to leavo you In the lurch, Cap," ho said, "but If Mario's set on going, guess I'll have to." "Tell four of tho pollco they aro detailed to escort yourself and Miss Dupont bnck to tho agency," ordered nardy. He raised his hat to Marie. "Permit mc to wish you a pleasant Journey." The girl turned nwny without reply ing. Hardy stood for a moment cool and still under Vandervyn's exultant smllo: then faced about and steadily walked off along tho mountain ter race. Ho did not return to ino cubln un til the grcuter number of tho saddle and pack ponies had bven brought up from tho volley and the returning party had mounted and ridden nway on the bnck trail. Vundervyn started oft with them, and Hnrdy's keen, hazel eyes dimmed as, leaning against n gnarled plno on tho slope above, In; watched tho lovers rtdo nway, sido by side. Angered nt himself for his momen tary weakness, ho sprang down the ledges to tho terrace, and hastened back1 to talk with Rcdbcar. Ho was met nt the cabin door by Olnnn, who placed n finger on her lips and whis pered thnt her brother had nt Inst fallen nslcep. Hurdy withdrew to tho shady sido of the cabin, where he sat down on his saddlo and began drafting n list of in structions for tho tribnl delegates to Washington. Ho wns still writing them when, shortly before nightfall, "You Insulted My Father!" Vnndervyn camo Jogging bagk to the mine. He had had a delightful ride with Marie, and ho complacently lntl mated tho fact to Hurdy. In the midst of this subtlo torment ing of his rival, Olnna camo out to serve tho supper that sho had cooked In tho cabin. Vnndervyn abruptly changed the subject, and begnn to talk about tho council next day. Hardy gave no sign that he observed this sudden break or tho furtive, ndorlrig glances that tho girl bestowed on Vun dervyn as sho glided softly to and fro, Tho night camo on, clear and still As they puffed nt their after-supper pipes. Vandervvn succostcd that, out 0f consideration for tho young woman, tney rou up ln thclr blankets autsido 'the cabin. To this Hardy made no oh Jectlon. They nicked out n soft snot matted with fallen pine needles, under a low-growing tree, and soon 'both wero seemingly fast nsleep. After several minutes Vnndervyn spoko to his companion ln n low tone, Unrdy did not unswer. Vundervyn drew out his plpo nnd struck n match. Ho held tho flamo abovo nardy's face. Tho eyes wero closed, and tho severe, hulf-raelancholy expression of tho harsh features was relaxed as if in heavy slumber. Vandcrvyn extinguished tho mntdi, and slipped out of his blankets. Noise lessly he crept down to tho cnbln nnd around to the door. It wns barred on tho inside. Ho tupped on it Thcro was a sliding sound within tho cnbln, and tho heavy door began to swing inwurd. Vnndervyn put his foot on .the threshold to enter. At tho samo moment n sinewy hand gripped his shoulder "and Jerked him away. Ho cursed, nhd clapped his hand to his holster as ho whirled about. It was empty. Ho bent for- wurd to spring at tho dark form in tho half-open doorway. "Stand back I" camo tho stern com mand. "I havo your revolver. Olnna, closo tho door." Tho door swung shut. In tho tense sllcnco tho rattle of the bar as It shot buck Into its socket was distinct. Van dervyn's teeth ground together. "You stralght-luccd prig I" ho choked out "Got nwny from hero I I'm going ln." "Suppose I do not chooso to glvo It?" "Then I will protect her by ordering you to leavo tho reservation a3 fast ns you can travel." "I sec," taunted Vnndervyn. "You want to get rid of mc, so you can have clear sailing with Marie. You'ro a great ono to spout about honor! You'll go nnd blat to her about this.1 "You know very well I cannot do that Yet if you refuse to glvo mo your word, I shall feel Justified In telling Dupont my reason for ordering you off tho reservation." Vnndervyn burst into a cynical laugh. "Do you think Jake's tho sort to care. "When tho happiness of his daugh tcr la nt stake 1 "Precisely. Ho thinks Ym her one best diance. "Very well," replied Hardy. "Slnco, like this .poor girl's, her natural I imnrdlim id imflh mv nnslHun nnnriin I agent requires mo to tako his place. I My appeal to you ns a gentlcmnn hav ing failed. I must conclude that you are i not n gentlcmnn. I shall be com pelled to disclose this Incident to Miss Dupont. You shall bo escorted off the reservation under urrest" "You'll order me " cried Vnndervyn, nnd ngaln ho bent forward ns If to leap at his rival. Hardy stood cold and motionless ln the dim starlight The younger mnn checked himself. His voice shook with suppressed an ger: "You've got tho drop on mo now. Walt till wo hear from Washington." "Until I um relieved from my pres ent detail, I shall consider myself the guardian of overyono nnd everything belonging to the tribe," stntcd Hardy. There followed n silence of several moments' duration, ln which Vandcr vyn must have found time to reflect. Ho drew back a step or two, lit his pipe, and nt last remarked ln a some what forced tone of conciliation: "1 seo you'ro Hko nn nrmy mule no use trying to budgo you when you balk. 1 glvo you my word to net as a gentle man ln tills nffnlr." "Very well," replied Hardy. Vandcrvyn started off, sudilng at his pipe. Hardy turned about nnd locked the door on tho outsldo with the heavy padlock that hung loose ln the Jamb staple. Ho put tho key ln his pocket, and walked around tho cabin to mako certain that thero wero no other openings larger than tho narrow crevices of tho loopholes. When ho returned to tho tree, he found Vnndervyn nlready outstretched. Ho picked up his blankets and moved down the slope, to spend , tho night ln tho more congenial company of the two remaining Indian policemen. CHAPTER XIV. In White and Black. In the morning Olnna did not show herself outsldo tho cnbln, though Hardy called a kindly good morning to her. Her brother, with ono nrm carefully bandaged and in n sling, brought out tho breakfast that sir cooked. Ho looked so weak and un steady that Hardy at onco nssentec when he mumbled that ho wished to go back to bed and rest until the council. "You must have your wits about you this time," added Hardy. "What ever the cuuso of tho misunderstand ing at tho first council, it must not recur. You ore too careless ln'youi Interpretations. Inform "your sister that she' Is to bo present I shall re; quire her to check you." "Would you mako a girl ns shy ns she Is stand up In n tribal council and Interpret?" remonstrated Vunder vyn, ns Itedbear slunk around tho end of the cabin. . "The presence of her grandfather will glvo her courage," replied Hardy. "It is necessary that sho should be present Ir do not trust cither the ability or tho honesty of her brother." Vundervyn shrugged, nnd said no moro. Half an hour or so later he asked permission to uso Hardy's pen and pad to write somo letters.. The cnptaln handed them to him, nnd stnrtcd up tho mountainside nbove the tunnel mouth. A steep pnth led up to tho top of tho spur ridge from which tho shaft had been sunk from tho npex of tho outcrop of the vein. As soon as ho had gono beyond ear shot Vandervyn roso to stretch him self nnd call softly through tho near; est loophole. Ho then seated hlmseli on his saddlo and begnn to write. A listener would havo had need to be near nt hand to have heard tho low murmur of Itedbear's nnd Olnnn'a voices through tho loophole above Vundervyn's head. When Hardy returned from his ex- umlnntlon of the upper works of the mine, Vandervyn sealed In his pres ence the two letters that he had writ) ten. Thoy nppenred decidedly thin, in view of tho time that Vnndervyn had spent ln his writing nnd tho numbei of sheets of paper gono from tho pad, But Hardy did not observe this. Hie attention had been diverted by a large party of Indians that had appeared on the velvety green meadows of the valley bottom. The tribal council had begun to as semble. This tlmo tho chiefs and headmen did not como nlone. From far camps as well as near, tho men of the tribe wero bringing their fami lies to seo the Longknlfo dilcf whom they had first hated but now believed to bo their friend nnd father. By noon their numbers had grown from scores to hundreds. Shortly nftcr the midday meal one of tho Indian policemen brought word up to the CHDln that tho head chief hud arrived and tho council was ready to talk with the ngent Hardy at onco gavo command to mount As soon ns Hardy and Vandervyn etnrted to rldo down the slope, Olnna slipped out and held her brother's pony for him. Sho then mounted her own, and rodo after him. At tho foot of tho slopo the riders camo out through n grove of young, quaking asps into sudden view of the picturcsquo and imposing tribal coun cil. Fully half tho trlbo had gathered together for tho occasion. All up nnd down tho vnlley tho meadows wero dotted with their ponies. Tho Indians wero nssembled ln n denso crowd tho men ln n deep band around tho chiefs, the women nnd children out side. Do you believe that Vandervyn can persuade Olnna to do so or scare her Into misinterpreting Captain Hardy's statements to the tribesmen? Will Hardy catch Vandervyn at his dirty work this lime and punish him for It? (TO BE CONTINUED.) - t
