Part 20 (1/2)

continued the sutler ”If they told ed to them, I should have to believe thenantly

”Well, you et somebody to prove that the skins are yours”

Ela these words over in his rasped their full import, it became clear to him that he had no one to depend on but himself It became evident to hih to reach from the States away out there to the fort, and, as the sutler would not lend him assistance, he must either take the matter into his own hands or stand idly by and see the proceeds of his work go into the pockets of rascals

That he resolved he would never do The very thought enraged him

”Look a-here, Mr--Mr Bluenose,” said Elanoested to him by the most prominent feature on theof frequent visits to a private demijohn he kept in the back room--”you shan't never make a cent out of that plunder of et excited,” said the sutler

”I aint I' to do?”

”Well, the ive back my furs, and so I asked hiot them back in my oay, and he said he wouldn't,” said Elaot to say”

”I'll tell you what's thehiot them Were they afoot?”

”Yes, they were I don't knohether they tried to steal et hiot theh the country you cah”

”Then what's becoot them, too?”

”I certainly do I'll tell you what I could do: If the Cheyennes came here to sell their furs, I could easily tell your furs from their own, and I could throw them out But, you see, the Indians don't come here

They take all their furs to Fort Mitchell”

”Maybe you would throw theuess I had better take the rip on to theazed after Ela

”That boy is going to be killed,” said he to hiold If I was coo out”

Elam directed his course toward the barn in which he had left his horse and rifle when he went in to visit the surgeon He found them there yet, and it was but the work of a reeted hiate As he expected, there was a sentry there, and he stepped in front of hio out,” said he

”Why, what's the matter?” asked Elam innocently

”Too many Indians,” was the reply

”Oh, well, I just want to let rass He don't think much of the hay you have here”

”You don't want your rifle if you're just going out to get grass,” said the soldier, with a smile

”No, but I like to have it handy when the pinch comes If I hadn't had it and been able to use it, you wouldn't have seen me here now”

”That's so,” said the sentry ”I don't suppose you care enough about theain But we'll have to see the corporal about that” Then, raising his voice, he called out:

”Corporal of the guard No 1!”