Part 40 (1/2)

The gray spring twilight had settled over the plains Still the last fas, had not coive them their chance up to the very last, before he finally closed the gates As the sun dropped he dispatched four mounted men to act as vedettes They took up their positions a mile out from the farht of any Indians, and then to ride in with all speed

After delivering his instructions he took up his position upon the stockade and watched theo He was very anxious for the safety of Joe Smith; his place was nearly ten miles out, and away to the northeast He knew that if the northern Indians were out it was quite possible that the old man had been cut off

Now, as the day drew to a close, soloomy prospect before them all seemed to have entered his soul He was no alareneral Indian rising The horrors he had witnessed in his early days were strong upon hie weighed sorely Nor did he glean ht that, at least, should disaster fall upon them he still had power to punish the man whom he knew to be the author of all this trouble It would be poor consolation

The darkness was growing Now the reflection of Indian fires could be seen in al of them, in the distance, around the farloo up the newly-made earthworks to his side It was Rosebud

She took her seat at his side in silence She was clad in her old prairie riding-habit of canvas, strong and rough, and es They had hardly met since the first alarm, so busy had everybody been But now that all was ready the final lull before the breaking of the storirl's first words came abruptly, and displayed her wonderful faith in the man to whom they all looked for help and protection

”Shall we pull through, Seth?” she asked

”Can't say, Rosie”

The man's reply was spoken slowly

”Poor auntie!” Rosebud went on ”I can't help thinking of her I wish I'd never said anything about 'scalping' to her But she's very good and brave She hasn't complained, and she's worked as hard as anybody Do you know, I believe, now she's got over the first shock of it, she rather enjoys it What do you think she said to et ho a diary' Like a fool I said, 'You aren't ho What do you suppose she replied?”

”Can't guess”

”Oh, I'll get hoht Mr Seth 'll see to that”

But Seth was ily watched his sombre face out of the corners of her eyes There was no responsive ss h

Rosebud's face had becohts were hard at work

”Is it as bad as that?” she asked presently

”'Tain't no use lookin' at it easy We're facin' the ht It's kind o' lucky we've laid in a big store of as”

It was dark by now, except for the glow of Indian fires, which gave a weird light on all sides

Rosebud drew closer to the man's side Her action passed unnoticed His eyes were intent upon the dark horizon He atching, watching, with every faculty alert He was listening, his ears ready to catch the faintest sound

”It would be all right if only they could have sent word to the headquarters of the troops, I s'pose,” the girl said thoughtfully ”Just fancy the Indians cutting the telegraph wires and destroying the railway”

”Yup Guess they've had all winter to get things settled,” Seth responded indifferently, while he turned a keen ear to ard

”What are you listening for?” asked Rosebud, quickly

”General's out scoutin'”