Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 92, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 April 1913 — MOLLY MCDONALD A EAIE OF THE PRONIIER [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

MOLLY MCDONALD A EAIE OF THE PRONIIER

by RANDALL PARRISH

Ja&orof “Keith c/ife Border" My Lady of DoubfT My lady | ISOWT? Jb eorateiowr m* by a&ikuiu &ca

SYNOPSIS. Major McDonald, commanding an army •oat naar Fort Dodge, aeeks a man to Intercept hi* daughter, Molly, who la headed for the post. An Indian outbreak 6 threatened. ‘'Brick" Hamlin, a sergeant who had Just arrived with messages to McDonald, volunteers for the mlgeioa and starts alone. Molly arrives St Fort Ripley two days ahead of schedsle. She decides to push on to Fort Dodge by stage In company with "Sutler BUI” Moylan. Oonsales, a gambler. Is also a passenger. Hamlin mots the stage with stories of depredations committed by the Indiana It Is decided to return to Ripley. The driver deserts the stage twiiMkßs appear. CHAPTER V. The Defense of the Steps. There were times when Hamlin's mental processes seemed slow, almost sluggish, but this was never true In moments of emergency and peril. Then ha became swift. Impetuous, snomlnrlr borne forward by some Inspiring Instinct It was for such experiences aa this that he remained in the serrioe—his whole nature responding almost joyously to the bugle-call of action, of Imminent danger, his nerves steadying Into rock. These ware the characteristics which had won him his chevrons in the unrewarded service of the frontier, and, -when scarcely mors than a boy, had pat a captain’s bars on the gray colter of his Confederate uniform. Now, aa he struggled to his knees, gripping the Iron foot-rail with one hand, a single glance gave him a die tinct Impression pt their desperate situation. With that knowledge, there likewise flashed over his mind the only possible means of defense. The Indians, numbering at least thirty, had ridden recklessly out from under the protection of the river bank, spreading to right and left, as their ponies* hoofs struck the turf, and were now charging down upon the disabled coach, yelling madly and brandishing their guns. The very reckless abandon of their advance expressed the conception they had of the situation — they had witnessed the flight of the two fugitives, the runaway of the wheelers, and believed the remaining passengers would be helpless victims. They came on, savage and confident, not anticipating a fight, but a massacre—shrieking prisoners, and a glut of revenge. With one swing of his body, Hamlin •was upon the ground, and had jerked open the Inside door of the coach, forcing it back against the dirt of the Muff which towered In protection above. Hls eyes were Quick to perceive the peculiar advantage of position; that their assailants would be compelled to advance from only one direction. The three within were barely struggling to their feet, dazed, bewildered, failing as yet to comprehend fully those distant yells, when he sprang into their midst, uttering hls swift orders, and unceremoniously jerking the men Into position for defense. "Here, Quick now! Don't waste time! It's a matter of seconds, I tell you! They're oomlng—a horde of them. Here, Moylan, take this rifle barrel and knock a hole through the back there big enough to sight out of. HU It hard, damn you. It’s a case of life or death! What have you got, Gonmales,? A revolver T Into that window there, and blase away; you’ve got the reputation of a gun-man; now let’s see you prove It Get back In the corner, miss, so 1 can slip past—no, lie down below the fire line!” “But—hut I will not!" and she faced him. her face white, but her eyes shining. **l can shoot! See!” and she . flashed a pearl-handled revolver defiantly. The Sergeant thrust her unceremoniously aside and plunged across to the opposite window, gripping hls Henry rifle. "Do as I say," hs growled. "This is our fight Get down! Now, you terriers, let them have it!” There was a wild skurrylng of mounted figures almost at the coach wheels, hair streaming, feathers waving, lean, red srms thrown up, the air vocal with shrill outcries —then the dull bark of a Henry, the boom of a Winchester, the sharp spitting of a Colt The sm6ke rolled out in a cloud, pungent, concealing, nervous fingers pressing the triggers again and again. They could see reeling horses, men gripping their ponies' manes to keep erect staring, frlghtened eyes, animals flung back on their haunches, rearing madly In the air. The fierce yell of exultation changed late a savage scream, bullets crashed into the thin sides of the coach; it

rocked with the contact of a halfnaked body flung forward by a plunging horse; the Mexican swore wildly In Spanish, and then—the smoke blew aside and they saw the field; the dead and dyings ponies, three motionless bodies huddled on the grass, a few dismounted stragglers racing on foot for the river bank, and a squad of riders circling beyond the trail. Hamlin swept the mingled sweat and blood out of hls eyes, smiled grimly, and glanced back into the coach, instinctively slipping fresh cartridges Into his hot rifle. "That’s one time those fellows ran Into a hornet’s nest,” he commented quietly, all trace of excitement vanished. "Better load up, boys, for we’re not through yet—they’ll only be more careful next time. Anybody hurt?*’ “Somethin’ creased my back," replied Moylan, complainingly, and trying vainly to put a hand on the spot. “Felt like a streak o’ fire." The Sergeant reached across, fingering the torn shirt cautiously. “Seared the flesh, pardner, but no blood worth mentioning. They’ve got some heavy artillery out there from the sound —old army muskets likely. It Is our repeating rifles that will win oat—those red devils don’t understand them yet” “Senor, you tink we win out den?” and Gonzales peered up blinking into the other’s face, ‘"’acre! dey vll fight deeferent <le nex* time. Ze Amerlcalne muskeet, eet carry so far —ess eet not so?” * Hamlin patted hls brown barrel affectionately as if it were an old friend, and smiled across into the questioning eyes of the girl. "I’m willing to back this weapon against the best of them for distance,” he replied easily, "and it’s accurate besides. How about It, Moylan?" "I’d about as soon be In front as behind one of them cannon," answered the sutler Boberly. “I toted one four years. But say, pardner, what’s yer name? Yer a cavalryman, ain’t yer?” "Sergeant—forgot I wasn’t properly Introduced,” and he bent his head Bllghtly, glancing again toward the glrL "Hamlin Is the rest of It" “ 'Brick* Hamlin?" "Sometimes —delicate reference to my hair, miss,” and he took off his hat, his gray eyes laughing. "Born that way, but doesn’t seem to Interfere with me leuch, since I was a kid. You've beard of me then, Moylan? So bas our little friend, Gonzales, here." The sober-faced sutler merely nodded, evidently In no mood for pleasantry. nr “Oh, ye’re all right,” he said finally. "I’ve heard ’em say you was a fighter down round Santa Fe, an’ I know It myself now. But what the hell are we goln’ to do. This yere stagecoach

ain't much of a fort to keep off a bunch o’ redskins once they git their mad up. Them musket bullets go through like the sides was paper, an' I reckon we ain’t got no oversupply o’ ammunition —I know I ain’t fer this Winchester. How long do yer reckon we kin hold out?" Hamlin’s face became grave, hls eyes also turning toward the river. The sun was already sinking low in the west and the Indians, gathered in council out of rifle-shot, were like shadows against the glimmering water beyond. “They’ll try us again just before dark," he affirmed slowly, "but more cautiously. If tint attack falls, then

they'll endeavor to creep in, and take os by surprise. It's going to be a dear night, and there is small chance for even an Indian to hide In that buf-falo-grass with the stairs shining. They have got to come up from below, for no buck could climb down, this bluff without making a noise. 1 don’t see why, with decent luck, we can’t hold out as we are until help gets here; those fellows who rode away will report at Canon Bluff and send a rider on to Dodge for help: There ought to be soldiers out here by noon tomorrow. What troops are at Dodge now ?" “Only a single company—infantry," replied Moylan gloomily. “All the rest are out scouting 'long the Solomon. Damned if I believe they’ll send us a man. Those two cowards will likely report us all dead —otherwise they wouldn’t have any excuse for runnin’ away—and the commander Will satisfy himself by sdndin’ a courier to the-fel-lers in the field.” "Well, then," commented the Sergeant, hls eyes gleaming, “we’ve simply got to fight it out alone, I reckon, and hang on to our last shots. What do you make of those reds ?" The three rnefti stared for some time at the distant group over their rifles, iu silence. _ /‘They ain’t all Arapahoes, that’s certain,” said Moylan at, last. “Some of ’em are Cheyennes. I’ve seen that chief before —it’s Roman Nose." “The big buck humped up on the roan?" “That’s the one, and he Is a bad actor; saw him once' over at Fort Kearney two years ago. Had a council there. Say!” In surprise, "ain’t that an Ogalla Sioux war bonnet bobbin’ there to the right, Sergeant?" Hamlin studied the distant feathered head-dress indicated, shading his eyes with one hand. Il reckon maybe It is, Moylan,” he acknowledged at last gravely. "Those fellows have evidently got together; we’re going to have the biggest scrap this summer the old army has had yet. Looks as though It was going to begin right here—and now. See there! The dance is on, boys; ther£ they come; they will try It on foot this time.” He tested his rifle, resting one knee on the seat; Moylan pushed the barrel of his Winchester out through the ragged hole in the back of the coach, and the little Mexican lay flat, his eyes on the level with the window-cas-ing. The girl alone remained motionless, crouched on the floor, her white face uplifted. The entire field stretching to the river was clear to the view, the short, ( dry buffalo-grass offering no concealment To the right of the coach, some fifty feet away, was the only depression, a shallow gully leading down from the bluff, but this slight advantage was unavailable. The sun had already dropped from view, and the gathering twilight distorted the figures, making them almost grotesque in their savagery. jet they could be clearly distinguished, stealing silently forward, guns In band, spreading out In a wide half-circle, obedient to the gestures of Roman Nose, who, still mounted upon his pony, was traversing the river bank, Mb every motion outlined against the dull gleam of water behind him. From the black depths of the coach the three men watched in almost breatMeßS silence, gripping their weapons,- fascinated, determined not to waste a shot Gonzales, under the strain, uttered a fierce Spanish curse, but Hamlin crushed hls arm between Iron fingers. “Keep still, you fool!” he muttered, never glancing around. "Let your gun talk!" The assailants came creeping on, snakes rather than men, appearing less and less human in the increasing shadows. Twice the Sergeant lifted hls Henry, sighting along the brown battel, lowering the weapon again In doubt bit the distance. He was conscious of exultation, of a swifter pulse of the heart, yet hls uerveß were like steel, his grip steady. Only a dim fleeting memory of the girl, half hidden In the darkness behind, gave him uneasiness—he could not turn and look Into her eyes. .Roman Nose was advancing now at the center of that creeping half circle, a hulking figure perched on his pony’s back, yet well out of rifle range. He spread his hands apart, clasping blanket, looking like a great bird flapping its wings, and-the ground In front flamed, the red flare splitting the gray gloom. The speeding bullets crashed through the leather of the coach, splintering the wood; the Mexican rolled to the floor, uttering one Inhuman cry, and lay motionless; a great volume of black smoke wavered In the still air. "Walt! Walt until they get to their feet!” Hamlin cried eagerly. "Ah! there they come—now unlimber." He saw only those black, indistinct figures, leaping out of the smoke, converging on the ooaeh, their naked arms uplifted, their voices mingling in savage yells. Like lightning he worked hls rifle, heart throbbing to the excitement, oblivious to all else; almost without realisation he heard the deeper bellow of Moylan’s Winchester, the sharp bark of a revolver at hls very ear. Gonsales was all right, then! Good! He never thought of the girl, never saw her grip the pistol from the Mexican’s dead hand, and crawl whitefaced, over hls body, to that front seat

All he really xneiT was that those devils were coming, leaping, crowding through the smoke wreathes;-he saw them stumble, and rise again; he saw one leap into the air, and then crash face down; he saw them break, circling to right and left crouching as they ran. Two reached the stage—only one! One pitched forward, a revolver bullet between Ms eyes, hls head > wedged In the spokes of the wheel; the other Hamlin struck with emptied rifle-barrel as hls red hand gripped the door, sending Mm sprawling hack into the dirt It was all the work of a minute, an awful minute, Intense, breathless—then silence, the smoke drifting away, the dark night hiding the skulking runners. CHAPTER VI. The Condition In the Coach. Mechanically—scarcely conscious of the action —the Sergeant slipped fresh cartridges into the hot rifle chamber, swept the tumbled hair out of his eyes with his shirt sleeve, ahd stared Into the night He could-hardly comprehend yet that the affair was ended, the second attack repulsed. It was like a delirium of fever; he almost expected to see those motionless bodies outstretched on the grass spring up, yelling defiance. Then he gripped himself firmly, realizing the truth —it was over with for the present; away off there In the hate obscuring the river bank those Indistinct black smudges were fleeing savages, their voices wall-

ing through the night Just In front, formless, huddled where they had fallen, were the bodies of dead and dying, smitten poMeB and half-naked men. He drew a deep breath through clinched teeth, endeavoring to distinguish his comrades. The interior of the coach was black, and soundless, except for some one’s swift, excited breatMng. As he extended hls cramped legs to the floor he touched a motionless body. Not until then had he realized the possibility of death also within. He felt downward with one hand k his nerves suddenly throbbing, and his finger touched a cold sac Mexican. It must have been that last volley, for he could distinctly recall the sharp bark of Gonzales' revolver between his own shots. "The little devil,” he muttered soberly. “It was a squarer death than he deserved. He was a game little cock." Then he thought of Moylan, wondering why the man did not move, or speak. That was not like Moylan. He bent forward, half afraid In the stillness, endeavoring to discover space on the floor for both Ms feet He could perceive now a distant star showing clear through the ragged opening jabbed in the back of the coach, but no outline of the sutler's burly shoulders. "Moylan!" he called,hardly above a whisper. "What is the trouble? Have you been hit, man?" There was no answer, no responding sound, and he stood up, reaching kindly over across thb seat Then he knew, and felt a shudder run through Mm from head to foot Bent double over the Iron back of the middle seat, with hands still gripping his hot rifle, the man hung, limp and lifeless. Almost without realizing the act, Hamlin lifted the heavy body, laid It down upon the cushion, and unclasped the dead fingers gripping the Winchester stock. “Every shot gone," he whispered to himself dasedly, "every shot gone! Ain't that bell!" (TO BB CONTINUED.)

"Do As I Sty," He Growled. “This is Our Fight'

All He Really Knew Was That Those Daviis Were Coming, Leaping, Crowding.