Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 67, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 December 1909 — BESIEGED IN A CAVE. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BESIEGED IN A CAVE.

A Girl the Principal Actor In a Defense Against Indians. t By. MARTHA L. TWEED. (Copyright. 1909. uy American Hrea» Association.! “Well.” said Charlie Eisoo as he leaned back against the side of the cave and laid down bis ride, almost for the first time in ten days, *‘l suppose we can consider the siege raised. The Indians would hardly collect their ponies and ride off across the plain with an idea of circumventing us. "We have So unobstructed view for at least five miles In front, and they couUL never climb over the mountains behind. It Is fortunate for us that Gertie remembered tbe cave and thought of it as a refuge.” “It 1b fortunate for us Id everything that we have Gertie.” returned his sister Kate, smiling affectionately at the seventeen-year-old girl who was crouching near the entrance of tig' cave, with one arm In a sling. Of all tbe party sbe was tbe only one wounded, and of ail' ;be party it was she who had best acted tbe part of a man Sbe smiled back slightly, but without turning her head. There was something in her whole appearance—her figure, her face, especially her mouth and eyes—that expressed firmness. Muscularly there was in her the same strength. She wore a skirt reaching but a short distance below her knees, a mau’s gaiters, a jacket buttoning close about her throat and a man’s ordinary felt hat. without even a tiny feather Id the band. “When we first saw tbe Indians.” Kate Etson went on. “it was Genie who whirled the horses round, riding on her pony at their heads and urging them forward, and it was she who insisted on forcing the wagon almost to the very mouth ot tbe lower cave and

on bringing as much of tbe provisions and supplies up here as we could. “If it had not been for them and tbe keg of water sbe brought up berself when tbe Indians were almost upon her we could not have beid out so long.” “That’s so,” admitted Charlie Elsou candidly. "I do not suppose 1 would have tbougbt of tbe provisions toy self or even of climbing to this upper cave instead of stopping in tbe one below. And it's tbe same about tbe marksmanship. I have been popping off the gun like a boy does bis Fourth of July crackers, for the noise, though maybe ' that did keep them off a little. But if Gertie’s telling shots bad not re-en-forced my ineffectual ones the Indians would soon have caught on and scrambled up tbe rocks.” Charlie Elson’s voice bad been strained and depressed for the past ten days. Now, with tbe Indians moving across the plain, bis toues became care free, almost jubilant. It was his mercurial temperament, and bis sister looked across at bim indulgently, but lovingly. Whatever else be might be, careless. Incapable, visionary, be was always lovable, always oblivious of himself. It was tbe careless, visionary nature that had started him west when tils little property was loßt and tbe obltviousuess to self that had caused him to share his scanty meaus with the weak, emaciated creature they found wandering on the plain—all that was left of u frontier massacre. He never tbougbt of taking her to a trading post or transferring the burden to some one with means and a settled borne. His only though; was that henceforth they would be three instead of two. Later sbe bad developed Into a beautiful, strong, lovable girl, to the wonder and satisfaction of himself and Kate. Now, only three months from tbe rescue, she was returning tbe bread upon the waters a thousandfold. As she turned her face toward them for an Instant there was something of the same expression in her eyes that appeared in Kate’s, though with a difference. No one could be In the tender hearted, Irresponsible man’s company long without loving him and wanting to care for him ns she would for nn affectionate. help less child. Aml In Gertie's even before tli..

mawm-re of tbe uarsh voiced father and stepmother, there had been tittle of love and caring for. "Not many men could have held out so well as you have. Charlie.” sbe said, using the last word hesitatingly, as though not quite accustomed to it. "You have scarcely slept at all since we’ve been In the cave, and you have kept us laugblug most ot tbe time with your funuy talk.” "Done fairly well as a rank and Ole man.'’ he Interrupted gayly. “Of course I don’t think 1 lack nerve or endurance. * It’s only that I need a leader with drawn sword! Now wbat shall we do? I" He was moving toward the entrance as be spoke, and with tbe? last word there came a dull thud, followed by a sharp report. A bullet bad flattened against tbe rock near bis bead. Gertie caught bis arm and drew bim back. "Here." sbe cried, snatching his bat swiftly and replacing it upon tbe muzzle of his rifle. "They will not suspect tbe old trick, as they have just seen you moving. Now"— She pushed the muzzle of his rifle toward tbe entrance, so the hat could be seen from below. Almost instantly there were two more thuds and reports, and this time the bullets passed through the hat and then flattened ag&iust the rock. "That empties their guns." the girl cried. “I know they have no rifles from the way they have been firing. Wait! Let me shoot. I bate had more practice than you.” She slipped by him to, tbe cave opening, where she dropped at full length in ordpr to use the rifle with her uninjured arm. Below she could see three Indians hurrying toward the cave Evidently they bud remained behind, hiding in some crevice in hope of the besieged coming forth when tbe main body rode away. Believing their bullets had pierced the head they thought Inside the hat and thus deprived the cave of one of its few defenders,, they were rushing forward to complete the work before following the main body. Gertie recognized with a suddeq feeling of exultation that the middle Indian was the one she had seen giving directions all through the siege, evidently the chief. With him gone the danger would very likely be over. There were a quick flash and a report. aod then she slipped back into the cave. “1 shot him through the bip.” she explained in answer to their inquiring looks. “I—l don’t like to really kill any one. but be won’t fight again. He was the chief, so they could not leave him. They are carrying him to their ponies now. which they have concealed somewhere. I don’t think they will trouble us any more.” But sbe was mistaken. Maddened by the loss of one of their number, the ‘two other Indians, after taking him to cover, were seen looking up at the cave and talking to each other, evidently deliberating upon a new plan of attack. They were aware that tbe party was not strong, but they had no heart for making an attack upon them, intrenched ns they were in so strong a position. They wished to circumvent them. Presently by tbeir pantomime tbe besieged discovered that they had arrived at a conclusion. Then they were seen gathering wood. "Great heavens!” exclaimed Charlie. "They’re going to try to burn or smoke ns out!” *‘l don’t think they Will succeed.” said Gertie calmly. “Why?” asked Rob. “They must get above us and drop the firebrands down before the mouth of the cave. There is only one path by whlcb they can climb. aDd down there to the left we can see a dozen feet of it. They must pass that point to get above us. and unless we miss them we can shoot them.” “They may make a quick dasb,” said Kate, who was fast losing her equanimity. *T can do one of them,” said Charlie, “and I know Gertie can do the other." It was half an hour before tbe Indiana bad gathered wood sufficient to make tbe attempt. Then they disappeared. Tbe besieged got ready to drop them as they passed-the open space where they could be seen. Gertrude and Charlie each took a rifle, leveled it on a rest with the muzzle pointed to the space, knowing that they would have but a few moments in which to fire. Presently an Indian, covering his side with the wood, shot out into the open. Gertrude’s rifle cracked, and he limped back. Sbe had shot bim in tbe foot. They waited some time for tbe other man, but tbe next they saw of bim be was helping his companion away. “Now wbat shall we do?”" asked Charlie Elson, some of the old depression returning to his voice. “Our wagon is burned, aud all tbe horses are carried off except tbe two which got away and ran across the plain. I think maybe they will come back to us when their fright wears off. But how can we go on without a wagon?” Gertie’s face looked thoughtful. “Suppose we don’t go on,” sbe suggested. “The land Is beautiful around here and the soil rich, and we would always have this cave to protect us should there be any more danger. 'And then there is a fine spring of water. and”— There was a look In her which brought Charlie Elson to her side with eager questioning In his own. “You—you doD’t mean, Gertie, that—that—why. I’m fifteen years older and an Incompetent, and—you do?” as tbe look in her eyes slipped down Into a tender tremulousness about her lips. “Then we’ll stay,” a sudden vibrant ring of strength coming Into his voice. “We could hnrdly find a prettier country. We will tiiHke h home on the edge of the plain down there.”

SHE COULD SEE THOSE INDIANS HURRY ING TOWARD THE CAVE.