Yellowstone Jack: Trappers of the Enchanted Ground — page 17: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

2 uid I lot you g go free to carry out Be us head. but made no | overed his back. There was a cadence ol boss in his voice as he replied : “1 took you for a white man. tal Ik like a Blackfeot. If I have made ch a. mistake, I deserve oe worst you ye n give me.” 4 FRIENDLY ENEMY, t iS hold the loaded revolver that. » Las 15. ‘Then ha realised the peril that 1 Hincal ened the women. He saw that they were nearly senseless—in that sleep which ended in death. He remembered the flask that the scout had handed him. | He ran to the spot where it had been ret | i : With | ioe “words the young scout ps s, volaly ‘facing the howling tempest ) ‘tha: drove the mingled snow ; and sleet : “fu at. before it. of the > - boulder, but it afforded poanty protection from the storm. May- _nard removed his coat and wrapped it “4 S56 nd Minnie. He looked around for bis orse, meaning to secure the saddle ie, lanket for Ada, but the animal had disappeared, Unmurmuring he took off ‘his ‘knit blouse and wound it around th he half senseless maiden. Then he erouched down, bending over them as much as possible, seeking to intercept the cruel, cutting wind that armoat i erced their very marrow. _ Vhat was a terrible, trying hour. It seemed as though all was lost, that they were | doomed — to perish. ‘The sharp, stinging sensation of pain gradually be- came Jess poignant. Their limbs grew ‘ numb, A drowsiness stole upon them. he fierce howling of the tempest changed , it seemed to lull, to become soft and BY Prcical, like the gentle zephyrs of spring “murmuring through the freshly-leaved tops. A stupor stole over their ) I ag Unconscious of their danger, a th ey yielded to-it, to the stupor that ececles death by freezing. CF by strange sound arose above the wail- ‘Ing of the’ winds. A shrill, piercing cry as from some human being in terror or itense bodily agony. “quit! alarm roused Maynard, and he ekly lifted his head. He had been fending, over the women, and as he rose, his temple came im violent contact with -asharp corner of the boulder. A tiny stream of blood trickled down his face, ag | though ¢ a vein hadbeen punctured. | _ Beyond a doubt this saved his hfe, for Ib it, dispelled the death stupor that was . stealing away his senses. He cast a be- wildered Benes, aly but could see a. é , re, er w Ba “tree ¥ a. at away, disappeared in the - he three friends crouched under the used, and found it. A musical gurgle met his ear. He knew that enough re- mained for his ose. . He rudely shook both Minnie and Ada. They replied to bim, but in vague mutter-_ ings. He foreed open their lips and poured the strong liquor down their _ throats. A fit of coughing ensued. The women were awakened. In eager words Frank revealed the danger that threat- ened, and finally succeeded in getting them upon their feet, With one upon each arm, he walked to and fro, unheed- ing their prayers that they might be allowed to rest—to sleep. The pouderee had spent its force. The heavens began to clear. The snow and sleet ceased to fall. Though the wind was still powerful, 1+ seemed less cold and piercing. The little snow on the level, rocky floor began to melt. “ Look yonder!” abruptly cried Ada, at the end ot a longer turn than usual, ‘A man—” | “An Indian—back—hide behind the rock,” rapidly muttered Maynard, freeing his arms and drawing a revolver, The head and shoulders of an Indian rose from behind a long boulder. The black eyes were rivetted upon the pale faces, with a strange expression. May- nard ‘thought it hatred, and levelled his weapon. For the third time that day it failed him. He had forgotten that tho - rain, had rendered it useless. With a grating curse, ho drew his knife and leaped forward. The Indian lifted an open hand, and muttered a few words in a harsh guttural language, unknown to Frank. The rea- son was now revealed. A heavy rock had fallen across the savage’s body, pin- ning him to the ground. f ‘Help him, Brank—look at his face. He must be suffering fearfully,” mur- mured Minnie, ghding forward. “Tt is a Blackfoot—our enemy. You know what that strange man said. He musi die!” “%t would be murder! We should never prosper with such a cold-blooded erime upon our souls.” ef And wore we to free him, if heis not EOMMCE OOO! KS,ECO