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About The Red Cloud chief. (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923 | View Entire Issue (March 17, 1921)
bed Aloud. Nebraska, chief 1 I COMRADES I :: :; of PERIL Hy j Randall Varrlsh C copyright A. C. AlcUlurtf it Co. CHAPTER XV Continued. 16 "Ycrt, beyond that outcropping of stone; the trail goeB down tliero?" "SI, senor; but If you rldo down, your soldiers, they know," "Tliey keep guard ?" "SI, senor: Just below, out of sight, yet where they can see. When I come out they were under a rock shelf to keep off the allow, Maybe they there yet." "How ninny?" "Klve, senor ; two white and three Sioux." He studied the spot carefully through the leveled field Kinases, nnd then swept them Inch by Inch over the snow-covered plain. He returned them to the case, and cast one more glance Into the depths below. "Very well, men," he said quietly, 'We will return to the squadron." Shaunessy, with ten men, was given the cuttlng-out job, the major draw Ing up his command behind the sand hills In readiness for n swift advance. The sergeant led bis little force well to the right cf where the outpost wus believed to be, nnd dually dismount ed them, leaving two men In charge of the animals, while, with the others, he proceeded forward on foot. Tlio sand hills nppronched much closer to the river nt this point, and ridges ex tended out Into the plain, affording them considerable protection as1 they cautiously advanced, seeking every possible bit of shelter. Shaunessy, us ing the field glasses loaned him by the major, surveyed the ground carefully before venturing to lead the wny, and, In this manner, the little pnrty dually crept In behind the crest of land over looking the valley of the Cottonwood. It had been the plan to drop silent ly over the edge of the bank, and work their wny along, so ns to at tack the outlaws from the renr, thus rendering the escape of any Impos sible. Hut once there on the ground the slope was found to be far too abrupt for this purpose, and the Idea had to be nbandoned. The only other procedure was to creep along under the protection of the ridge, trusting to swlftncus of attack. The sergeant crept forward, Inch by Inch, watchful of everything In front. lie never glnnccd back, but his carbine was flung forward, cocked and ready. It was fifty yards to where the gnarled cedar protruded above the bank, but no sign of nny movement greeted bltn until he had nearly reached that point. Then, suddenly, with no warning of any kind, n red, bloated face shoved Itself up nbovo the edge of the hank. The startled eyes looked directly In to the muzzle of the carbine. "Stop right there, buddy 1" snld the sergeant sternly. "Now lads, over you go!" They took the leap recklessly, some rolling down the steep slope, others finding some sort of foothold and rush ing fiercely forward. The guard was taken by complete surprise, helpless most of them before they could even reach their feet or grasp the'r wea pons. Shaunessy hacked his prisoner down to where the others stood sullen ly, and surveyed the scene. , "Five; that's the whole hunch," he said with satisfaction. "A very good Job. Now, (Jutes, go up tliero and wig wag the mnjor." Ten minutes later the advance files of the squadron topped the edge of the bluff and began to slowly move down the steep trail. Hays e.pres.-wd his np proval. "Exceedingly well done, sergeant ; got tho whole outfit, I see. Have your men bring up your horses. The girl tells us we have a free road now Into tho valley, so we will move right along. Quietly, men, and keep your distance. Unsllng carbines 1 Forward 1" They moved steadily at a walk, the troopers eagerly peering ahead, yet cautiously reining back their mounts. Tliero was scarcely n tinkling of ac coutrements as the long column of horsemen slowly advanced down tho crooked trail toward tho snow-covered valley far below. I'anchu, riding be sides the major, led the way through the curtain to where the Cottonwood plunged over tho rock precipice Into the deeper gorge beyond. To her up lifted hand of warning the column halted, the Mexican girl leaning over to explain the situation ahead, Ket Is verrn steep grade," she said, "an' a sharp turn at the bottom, where tho trail runs under the falls. On the other side Is a log house, and they al ways keep a guard there, senor," "And beyond?" "The valley Is open." Ho tried to see through the snow iqualls, but with little success, "now heavy Is the guard?" "That I cannot tell, senor. There tvero but two men there, when I come out. Hut the log hut Is n saloon, and many mny be there now. Ket Ib best to use utmost caution." "No one Is likely to bo between this "point nnd that?" "Not on watch no; some one mltjlt T be passing out; they come and go." "Of course, we run that risk. Tho falling water mnkes noise enough to prevent our being heard, yet I think It may be best to use n scouting purty. The only way wo can trap those fel lows Into a lleht Is through n surprise. If they become alarmed they'll scutter nnd find a way out before we cun strike a blow. Isn't that your Idea, captain?" "Yes, sir; we've got to get In be hind and cut them off." "I presume there Is a bnck door to this Hole, somewhere, sonorltu?" "Yes, senor; way down yonder, but cet can only be made on foot." "Then we've got the villains, If wo only move secretly enough. Tnke a dozen men, and come along with me, captain. Dismount them. Senorltn, It will be best for you to show us the wny." They dlsnppenred Into the curtnln of fulling snow, nnd cautiously advanced beneath the veil of overflowing water. The outlines of the log house could be plainly discerned, the storm suddenly ceasing. The door stood open, smoke arose from the chimney, but no one was visible outside. The dull glow of mi expiring fire appeared on the ground In front, but no guard was squatted about It. Evidently the fel lows had retired to shelter. The ma jor grasped all this In n glance, but what Interested htm most was the sound of steady firing some dlstuticc away. "They have cither nil gono Inside," he whispered to I'nncha, crouching beside bltn, "out of the storm, or else they are over there where tho fight ing Is. You hear those rifles?" "Yes, flcuaj'." "You don't suppose some other outfit hnd got In here uheud of us, do you?" he asked anxiously. "No, senor," earnestly grasping his nrm. "Ket Is not tbnt I know; they fight up the canyon. Listen, ect Is over there the sound. They try to capture Senor Shelby; If we go quick we save them; we wnlt, maybe all be dead. Now we get all in the rocks, so none get nway." "I see." Ho looked at her keenly; then stepped back to -where the men weru clustered. "Cnptnln, scatter these lads out about that house there ; move quickly, and see that no one gets away. Stiles, run back and have the squadron move forward. Bring up your horse3." The men dashed forward In a half- circle, the major, with Panelin at his shoulder advancing close behind them, his objective the open door. No soon er had they broken cover when the alarm sounded ; a muffled voice yelled excitedly; a rifle or two cracked; n soldier running rapidly, plunged for ward on his face, and lay still. Then white and red surged crowding through the door, surprised, trapped, crazy to escape. Only one among them dared the venture In face of those leveled carbines. A tall, gaunt white renegade, with red whiskers, and one arm In a sling, his uninjured hand gripping a revolver, leaped from the front step In u reckless endeavor to get out of sight around the corner of the cabin. The major Hung up his arm and fired, the fellow whirling about In his stride nnd stumbling us be fell. He got upon one knee again, and the ".ir" spat twice viciously before a trooper sent a bullet crashing Into bis brain. Hays felt the zlpp of lead past his face, but stood erect, unhurt, ltehlnd him I'anchn uttered a startled sob and sank slowly onto the snow. lie sprang back and caught her, hold ing her head up on his knee, his eyes Down the Crooket. 'Trail. sturlng down Into her white, upturnnd face. She breathed once that was all; never spoke, never moved, except for the slight tremor of her slender form In his arms, The major laid her softly down, his own fnce drawn and white with sudden passion, and strode across to where the slain outlaw Iny In a huddled heap. An Instant he looked down nt the brutal fnce, pbllv lous to all else. "13 u you l" ho muttered In use less rage. "I wish I'd killed you I" Then he turned suddenly, the spirit of the soldier In the ascendancy. "Deploy your men, Captain Giles," ho coniuuinded, his voice hard nnd stern. "Swing them Into lino. Leave a squad here under n sergeant. Live ly, boys; that Is one of our old lads tight lug those devils over .yonder, Wow we're going to strike In, nnd 1 n me, If I care If you never take a pris oner. Goodl give me my horse, All ready? Hugler, sound the charge l" They swept forward on n walk, then a trrit, spreading out onto long, double line, as they swung Into the more open valley, riding knee to knee, the men bending forward In their stir rups, with left hand grasping the reins, the right gripping the short car bines. A hundred yards nnd they were nt the Mtllop, n blue torrent, nt the heels of their leader; tearing through weeds nnd underbrush, spurring reck lessly Into nnd over the creek, dashing up the other bnnk to the very foot of the bluff beyond. It was then the ma jor saw the uselessness of It. He whirled with uplifted saber. "Fight on foot. Horse-holders to the renr. Come on, Indsl" he shouted, his voice pealing above even the thud of hoofs. "Get up there some wny, you terriers, nnd give those red devils la 1 1" They cninc forwnrd nt a run, yelling ns they came, nnd leaped In among the rocks, their carbines beginning to spit ns they clnmbered upward. Overhead were skurrylng figures; and spurft of black smoke, as the Indian rlllcs made answer. CHAPTER XVI. The Rock Platform. Shelby hnd no time to think, or to even comprehend clenrly what con fronted him. There was n second In which he rammed n handful of cart ridges Into his empty gun; nnd then they were on him, n dozen Indians Bwnrmlng up the face of the rock, nnd clutching for n hold on the pnrnpet. He fired blindly straight Into their faces, nwnre flint nnother revolver cracked close beside his ear, yet with no opportunity to glnnce about. He saw assailants topple bnckwnrd, clutching fingers relense their hold, rifles flung high In nlr, nnd roll down tho slope. Snvngo yells blended Into cries of death agony. He felt the clip of a hall In his shoulder and stnggered back from the blow; a tomahawk grazed his wrist, nnd the quick slnsh of n knife ripped open n leg of his trousers, n red stnln discoloring the opening. He hnd glimpse of fierce, In furlnted fnces, of wnvlng scnlplocks, of naked chests nnd arms. Fingers clutched nt him, nnd he kicked him self free. Both guns empty, ho bat tered nwny with the butts, smashing nt every fnce he snw, no desire left but to kill, before he also was dragged down. He knew nothing of OIgn, where she was, what she was doing he only realized tbnt he must stnnd there, nnd fight until they got him she would keep one shot; she had pledged tbnt. And tho devils mnde It, creeping fnr out over the gulf, nnd drawing them selves tip beyond reach of bis nrm. One fell, going down with n howl of terror; n second was struck by a speeding bullet, dead ere he went whirling bnck Into the nlr but the third mnde It, creeping up onto the nnrrow plntform, with others surging behind, knives gripped In their teeth. Shelby hurled his empty pistol Into the face of the nenrest before the fel low could nttnln his knees, nnd grasped n discarded rifle which dangled over the stone coping. With one bound he was nt the edge swinging this weapon ns a woodsman might an ax, driving the Iron stock against every head that appeared. He staggered back, breath less, half blinded by n wound over his eye, nwnre only that the front of the rock was swept clear, that not n sav age was left for him to strike at. She touched him, nnd he whirled, thinking It another enemy. "Don't, Tom, don't I" she begged. "Merciful heaven, you nre all blood. Look out there I are those soldiers?" lie held up the flap of skin, nnd stared where she pointed. Across the white snow covering the valley below, riding stirrup to stirrup In a wild charge, two lines of, cavalry were sweeping' straight toward the foot of the bluff. lie knew what they were at a glance; their linos steady even nt n gallop, the spurring officer In front, the glitter of carbines, the silence, left no doubt. No Indians rode like that. He watched them, grasping her tightly to him now, scarcely able to s-peak. Once only, ho gave utterance. "My God! See those fellows ridel" "They are soldiers?" "Yes, yes! Good Lord, laIo, but that looks like old I lays leading 'em. Its the Sixth, the Sixth a bqundron or the Sixth I" He staggered to his knees, hut still held himself up, peering over the coil ing. She knelt beside him, half sup porting hlui against her shoulder. The charging horsemen swept' In out of sight below, but they could hear them crash through the underbrush, and splash their way across the stream. Then there echoed up to them the ringing cheer of white voices, and the dull bang of the carbines. How they mado that ascent It Is doubtful If a trooper knows; but they did, creeping from rock to rock, drag ging themselves along gullies, hauling their bodies up by sheer strength of arm, springing from point to point Inch by Inch, foot by foot, fighting ns (hey advanced, firing at every skulk ing figure In their front, skirting preci pices, leaping across chasms, clinging desperately to every rock or shrub, their carbines spitting viciously, eager only to get nt hand's grips with the foe. High above, Shelby nnd Olga caught glimpses of tolling figures, of leaping Jets of flnme, of fierce strug gles hand to baud, of Indians seeking to escape. Sharp-voiced rifles an swered the carbines, and n dead sol dier hung dangling over the edge of a rock; another nursed a bleeding nrm In the shelter of a cedar. But tho unhurt tm on. Some among them hud stumbled onto the trail, for soon a squad appeared Just below. They stopped and turned over the body of Laud, no ns to see the man's fnce; then tramped forward, paying no heed to the dead Indians. Shelby recognized the major among them, and nrose to his feet with difficulty, sup porting himself with one arm about Olgtt's shoulder. The tnujor wus pant ing from the exertion of the climb, never glancing up until brought to a halt by the rock, Its foot Uttered wltb the, dead bodies of savages. "Good Godl look here," he exclaim ed excitedly. "Those devils were pay Ing the price," he choked und coughed. "Whew I that sort of thing winds me. Must be getting old, sergeant, yet. by Jove! I passed the test two weeks ago." He cast his eyes upward, and snw the two standing Just above him. "Hullo, Shelby! we ure here In tune, then. Some good fighting, my boy, Here, n couple of you, give me a lift I'll never make It alone." He was hoisted over the atone cop ing, Instantly straightening up und warmly grasping Shelby's outstretched band. "Not badly hurt, I Judge, Ind 1" "No, sir; chipped here und there Is all, and have lost some blood." "Mighty glad of that, lly God, you nre tin honor to the regiment." He turned about, and stared down the The Ringing Cheer of White Volcea and the Dull Bang of the Carbine. bluff, his eyes brightening with nppre clntlon. "Tnlk nbotit your Alpine chas seurs; those fellows of mine could give pointers to a mountain goat. Just look nt them come up there. By the wny, Shelby, we've got a surgeon back thero somewhere. If you don't need bltn yourself, you've got a wounded man liere, I understand." "No, sir; his nnme was Macklln, and he's .dead. He died before the fight began. Who told you?" "A little Mexican girl; seemed to think a lot of the fellow. Meeting up with her Is what brought us In here." "I'anchn yes; where Is she?" , The major removed his bat soberly. "I am sorry to say she got hurt yonder by the waterfall." "Hurt! Not killed?" "Yes, Instantly." Shelby drew a long breath, nnd his eyes and those of his wife's met. "SJie Is happier that way, Tom," she snld understandlngly. "Now she will never know. I dreaded so to tell her." Hays caught the words, his eyes seeking the speaker's face. "Who was the man?" he asked short ly. "One of the outfit?" "Yes; In no way worthy." "I thought likely; nnd you, I take It, inadain, you are Tom Shelby's wife?" "Yes," she answered quietly, her clasp lightening on her husband's nrm. "I am, and also Colonel Carlyn's daughter. Wo both belong to the Sixth." "Carlyn's daughter t Great Scott! do you actually menu that? Do you know they have been hunting you from one end of the border to the other? There was n lawyer In my quarters a week ago questioning me about what had become of Sergeant Calkins. Lord, I didn't know." "It Is true. then, that I nm wanted?" "They've been trying to strike your trail for years, the lawyer told me. Some money down Kast which was left to your mother; let's see, she was ii n " "Churchill." "That's It. The first thing you bet ter do, young woman, Is to take a trip to old Virginia." Shu smiled, n wistful look In tho depths of her eyes, as they sought the face of her husband. "It Is Just ns Tom snys," she an swered quietly. "I nm very content now." The firing had ceased, and soldiers crowded the trail below ; tho play was ended. THE END. Poesy. Poesy Is a beauteous damsel, chnste, honorable, discreet, witty, retired, nnd who keeps herself within tho lim its of propriety. She Is n friend of solitude; fountains cntertnln her, meadows console her, woods free her from ennui, flowers delight her; in short, she gives pleasure nnd Instruc tion to all with whom sho communl- I cates. Cervantes. IHf I0VED OinPOlM INTEBriATIORAL SUNMlSuTOOL Lesson (By nEV f U KtTZWATKH, ti D.. Teacher o( Knitllih Hlble In tbt Moody Illhl. In-tllute of Chicago I S). 1 921. Western Newipaper Union ) LESSON FOR MARCH 20 JESUS ON THE CROSS. LESSON TKXT-Mntt. 27 33-M. GOLDEN TEXT-God eommendeth Hit lovo toward us In that while we were yet sinners. Christ died for us -Horn 5.8 REFERENCE MATERIAL Matt. 26-31. 27:32; John 1224-33; 1 Cor. I-.18-25: 2:1; Gal 6.14 PRIMARY TOI'IC-Jesus Dylni? for Us JUNIOIt TOIMC-Jesus Crucified INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC -Tho Supreme Sacrifice. YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC The Croas and Its Meaning Today. The grand cllmnx of the six months lessons Is reached In this one. If one miss the significance of the crucifixion, nil the preceding lessons are value less. It Is not a nintter of learning the lessons taught by a great teacher, or imitating the examples of a great and good man, but of apprehending the ntonemeiit made by the world's Iledeemer. I. The Place of Crucifixion (vv. 33. 3J). They led him away to Golgotha, a hill north of Jerusalem resembling a skull. He was not crucified within the city, for he was to suffer without the gate (Heb. 13:12). At first they com pelled him to bear bis own rro-w. but when physical weakness made It nec essary (hat some other should hear It for Him. they compelled Simon the Cyrenlnn to bear It. In order that He might not succumb to death before He was nailed to the cross, the soldiers offered Him u stimulant of vinegar mixed with gall. He refused this, as He would consciously drink the cup of sin to Its hitter dregs. II. Gambling for the Clothing of the Lord (vv. 35 3G). It was fhe custom for the soldiers who bad charge of the crucifixion to receive the garments of the one cruci fied. Here we have the fulfillment of Psalm 22:1S. "They parted my gar ments among them, and upon my ves ture they dhl cast lots." If they had but eyes to see they could have beheld a robe of righteousness being provided in His death to cover their sinful nakedness. III. The Accusation (v. 37). It was customary to place over the victim of the cross the name and crime of the offender. This super scription was placed over Jesus by Pilate to vex the Jews. He was llielr King. They had long looked for Illm. end now when He bud come this l the kind of treatment they gave Illm. IV. Two Thieves Crucified With Him (v. 33). ' This was nnother fulfillment of Scripture (Isn. .13:12). "He was num bered with the truusgiessors." In these three crosses we have set forth n spiritual history of the whole world. V. The Dying Savior Reviled (vv. 39 44). This reviling was engaged In by the passerby, the chief jnieK scribes and elders, and the thieves who were crucified with hlm In their mockery they unwittingly iinle great truths 1. "He saved others, himself he can not save" (v. 42). This Us was meant to show the absurdity of Jesus' claim1', but It demoip-.traled ihetn and showed the reason for Ills suffer ings He could not save Himself and others, so He choe to give Himself to nve other? 2 "If he b" the king of Israel let hlm now cnnie down from the cross" (v. 42). Ills refusal to abandon the cross established Ills royal dalnis The very fact that He did not abandon the 'cross proves that He was what He claimed to be for It was unto the cross that lie came. 3. "lie trusted In God. let him de liver him now (v. 43). Ills refusal to abandon the cross proved God's full delight and satisfaction in Ills Son. Ills obedience unto death was the sacrifice which met God's full approval. VI. The Death of Christ (vv. 45-,"0). So shocking was this crime that na ture threw around the Son of God a hronrt that the Godless company could not gaze upon Illm Darkness was upon the land at noon-day Upon the termination of the darkness He cried with a loud voice. "My God. my God, why bust tlniu forsaken me?" Tills dnrkness was the outer sign of that which hung over the Lord. He became sin for the world, and the sin hid God's face from Him. God for sook Illm; turned from Him who hnd taken the sinner's place. When the price was paid He cried out with n loud voice, showing that He still had vitality that Ills death was not from exhaustion, but by Ilia sovereign will. He yielded up the ghost, fcent His spirit away He died of His sovereign will. He died like no other man In nil the world's history, He did not die of n broken heart. God Sends Love to You. Tor new nnd new, nnd ever new, The golden bud within the blue; And every morning seems to sny. There's something hnppy on the way, And God sends love to youl'" Mothers Mold the Life. If you would reform the world from Its 'errors nnd vices, begin by enlist. Ing the mothers. C. Simmons. As Good as It Seems. Nothing Is ns good us It seems be 1 forehand. George Eliot. 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