A Tale of Adventures on
An Indian Reservation
By
Robert Ames Bennet
ON HIS way to take the agency at Lnkotah Indian reservation following the murder of Agent Nogen, Capt.
Floyd Hardy, U. S. A., rescues a quarterbreed girl and two men from attacking Indians. They are Jacques
Dupont, post-trader, his daughter Marie, and Reginald Vandervyn, agency clerk and nephew of Senator
Clemmer. Hardy learns Vandervyn had been promised the agency by his politician uncle, discovers the Indians
are disaffected because they have been cheated in a tribal mine which Dupont and Vandervyn are illegally work
ing, is puzzled when his friendly speech to tribesmen, interpreted by Vandervyn's halfbreed tool, angers the
Indians, and he determines to find out what's wrong all around and right it. He proposes marriage to Mario,
whom Vandervyn also is courting, and is held off, but nursed tenderly by her when shot and wounded from am
bush. Lost in the mountains after a second ambush attempt on his life, Hardy wanders into the Indian camp,
learns they have misunderstood his motives through misinterpretation, makes friends with them and accuses Du
pont and Vandervyn of rascality to their faces. Out of this situation springs a much more serious dilemma for the
army officer, attacking both his auections and ins nonor as you will see in this installment.
CHAPTER XII Continued.
"You add to my regret. Yet, as act
ing agent, it is my duty to censure
your father and Mr. Vandervyn for de
ceiving me. Had they told me about
Nogen's malfeasance his blocking of
the new treaty and compelling the In
dians to work the mine without pay "
"He did that?" Marie questioned her
father.
"Well, me and Mr. Van done all we
could to git him to pay 'em," mumbled
Dupont.
"Of course ! But he I did not think
him so mean!" The girl's eyes blazed
and her nostrils dilated. "So that was
why he was shot? I don't blame the
man who did it I could have done it
myself! The thief! Reggie, if only
you had let the killer escape!"
"Couldn't," tersely replied Vander
vyn. "He was blood-mad would have
got Charlie and me, too, if we hadn't
got him."
"That was self-defense," said Har
dy. "It has been greed and dishonesty,
though, that have prompted you to
conceal from me the facts that led up
to the killing. Aside from the danger
to me, you have permitted the tribe to
verge upon an uprising that would
have compelled their pacification by
the war department. All this that you
might steal the ore of this mine."
"Steal our own ore?" bellowed Du
pont. "You're plumb locoed!"
"Not so loud, if you please," quietly
replied Hardy. "The ore is not
yours." j
"That's all you know about it," blus
tered tht. trader. "Ain't I ore of the
discoveners and locator? of tile lode?"
is not & to location.
Cyiember of
. been
xu-f
hiifs
you want to take away the .mine from
the tribe and from us too !"
Hardy winced under the scornful
reproaches, yet did not yield a hair. "I
have done my duty, Miss Dupont. I
shall continue to do it. I have no in
tention of robbing anyone of what is
rightfully his."
"Yet when the reservation is thrown
open for entry, someone else who
never saw the mine may slip in ahead
of us and jump it," said Vandervyn.
"That is something I cannot pre
vent," said Hardy.
"You can!" contradict Marie.
"The chiefs will not insist on the new
treaty they will do what Pere thinks
best for them and us, if you leave the
matter to him and Reggie."
"I must do my duty as acting
agent," insisted Hardy.
The girl turned her back upon him
in open disdain. He raised his hat to
her and started for the cabin, his face
white, but his shoulders squared back
and his head very erect
Muare
fV be-e
1
I
1
i
i
I
CHAPTER XIII.
Another Card or Two.
A few minutes later Hardy came out
of the cabin. Though grave, he was
cool and alert. He at once walked up
to Dupont, who sat puffing at his pipe
on the top of the mine-dump.
"Redbear seems to be quiet," he
said. "Where is your daughter?"
Dupont pointed vaguely down the
mountain-side. "She went off with Mr.
Van, to try to smooth down his fur.
You riled him considerable, Cap."
"I regret that it was necessary to
reprimand you."
"All right, Cap. I don't bear no
grudge. Mebbe now you'd like to take
a look at the mine."
"Yes," crisply agreed Hardy.
Dupont rose and led him into the
mouth of the tunnel. There he un
locked a heavy tool chest and took
out two candles. These were needed,
for though the tunnel ran into the
mountain side less than three hundred
feet, its twisting course along the ore-
vein soon shut out the daylight. Du-
iont noticed his companion's dubious
ok at the soft ore-body that formed
roof and one wall of the tunnel..
Walk quiet, and don't talk loud,"
said. "We ain't done no timbering
Drove in this drift to the foot of
haft fast as we could git the lazy
s to work, so's we could figure
we had to count on."
dy made no reply until they
to the end of the tunnel and
Hi out into the dim davlieht of
paft bottom. He looked up the
square, timbered well, and re
ed: "You sank this first, then
n to meet it."
it. wanted to maue sure the
n't pinch out nowhere. Nogen
Van both figured we got three
d thousand dollars of ore as
blocked out."
'said Hardy, and he signed to
"o lead the way back.
had gone twenty-five or thirty
,hen a little slither of ore fell
floor of the tunnel in front of
Instantly he sprang forward,
whispered cry : "Jum
lped after him, barely in
4tr the ton or more of ore
bed
a high,
to pull
away froi?
"I shall s
ward the trib'i
fixed the youn
that compelled
aside.
But now Marie'.-
scorn and anger burst
of passion
"You hypocrite ! you
martinet! You would rift!8fiiM
father and Mr. van, would you? Ai
-rh a thousand times better man than
Who has made all the trouble
you came? The whole tribe
-) ;mi1 I'm one of the tribe
:;lt-laced prig! 'You Fay
I'Vie are dishonest, wUen
-h to do is to give the tribe
ilid good liny. But you
oi :
in
ha
Y
r
a
d from the roof in a mass.
lopping to look behind them,
i hastened stealthily down
iJope of the tunnel, their
fsed and eyes fixed on the
ody above them. At any
tire roof might cave in
The shock of the first
&mall quantities of ore
assage. Fragments drib
ind and in front of the
even on their heads,
they broke into a run.
soon. As they uasneu
jVn that brought them to
enure root oemnu tnem
down.
le, Dupont shook the
m his hat and clothes,
ut his bandanna to wipe
that was gathering in
iforehead.
J grunted. "Don't never
Ire ag'in till it's timbered."
call," remarked
You'rTra cool one," muttered the
'dor. and he scowled. "Nom dun
chien! Just my luck! If I hadn't
sung out, you'd 'a' got smashed under
that first drop."
'1 shall not forget it, Dupont."
"Me, neither. 'Stead of being rid of
yotf, here you are ready as ever to
; clean us out and I done It I"
I
t
tat
V
i Rath I Mose
"You do mt regret saving my life,"
asserted Hardy.
"Well, mebbe not. Just the same,
it's mighty hard luck on us. Here we
went and blocked out all that there
ore three hundred thousand dollars
as good as in our pockets not to
speak of all that's down tinder and
t'other side the shaft. For all we know,
it runs clean through the mountain
and down to China !"
"That does not alter the situation,"
said Hardy.
"Mebbe it don't, and then' ag'in "
Dupont began to scratch his head.
"Yes, mebbe it don't, and then, ag'in,
mebbe it does. Just you take a look
at it this way, Cap. Suppose that new
treaty goes through, the tribe don't
git nothing out of this mine, and we
don't, neither. Just some lucky bum
beats us to it, and the government says
it's hisn. Is tht fair and square?"
N'You have acted outside the law,"
said Hardy. "You must take your
chances with other locators."
"How about the tribe?" queried Du
pont. "Don't you care nothing about
their interests? Just supposing you
and me and Mr. Van took hold of this
here proposition for the tribe and split
even with them on the proceeds. I call
that a square deal to them and us, too
and I know Marie would think the
same. She likes you, Cap. Just show
her you want to do what's best for all
concerned, and I'm dead sure she "
"Stop !" commanded Hardy. "Leave
your daughter out of this."
"You've got to tell me how I'm
going to do it," replied Dupont in an
injured tone. "If I don't git my share
in the mine, Mr. Van can't afford to
take her; and you won't have no
show. But you git in right with Marie,
and she'd work her hands to the bone
for you. She ain't no common breed
girl, neither. You know that. She'd
be a real lady, if she had money
only you ain't going to give her no
chance."
"She knows that I wish to marry
her," said Hardy.
"Think she believes that when
you're going to rob me and her of a
fortune?"
Hardy looked directly at the temp
ter, his eyes clear and resolute, though
his face was white and drawn. "It is
f no use, Dupont. I shall do what I
consider my duty."
Dupont's face darkened. "So that's
what I git for saving your life. You
ain't got a particle of gratitude, and
you don't care a hang about her."
"I must beg to differ with you," said
Hardy. "But 1 cannot expect you to
understand my position."
Dupont drew out his pipe and re
turned to his seat on the mine-dump,
to brood on his wrongs in morose si
lence. Hardy thoughtfully walked
back to the cabin, drew out a writing
pad from one of his saddlebags and
began to draft a semiofficial letter to
the most Influential of his few ac
quaintances in Washington.
He soon became so intent that he
did not notice the half-dozen figures
in dark blue uniform that came swing
ing down the precipitous mountain
side above the terrace. When at last
he finished the letter and looked up,
he saw all the members of the police
escort drawn up in line before him,
their swarthy faces alight with re
spectful friendliness. Their sergeant
uttered a guttural word of salutation,
and began making signs.
Hardy smiled, shook his head, and
looked around for an interpreter. Du
pont still sat sulking on the mine
dump, but Marie and Vandervyn
were coming back up the mountain
side. They appeared only a few
yards away, as Hardy glanced about.
His lips drew tense when he per
ceived the girl's happy blushes and
the look with which Vandervyn was
r 'yarding her half-averted face.
At sight of Hardy she straightened
v.ith proud disdain, and would have
Immediately gone around into the
cabin had he not spoken.
"Pardon me, Miss Dupont. These
men wish to report to me. May I ask
you to interpret for them?"
! The girl turned coldly to the ser
geant, who at once poured out an im
passioned declamation, emphasized
with swift-formed signs. He was still
; talking, when Dupont sullenly sham
bled over from the mine-dump. His
i discontented face darkened still more
when he came within hearing of the
speakers.
At last the sergeant finished his im
promptu oration. Without looking at
Hardy, Marie gave the substance of
the speech with contemptuous curt
ness :
"He says they think you were very
brave to follow the shooter into the
broken mountain. They are very
sorry that they could not again find
the trail of the bad Indian after los
ing it on the bare rocks from which
he must have shot Charlie."
"Tell them that is all right. The
fellow thought I was the enemy of
his tribe. He will soon learn bet
ter. Neither he nor any other will
again attack me."
"Yes, you have talked Thunderbolt
into believing you the tribe's dear;
est friend," ironically replied Marie.
"These silly fellows trailed you to
the chief's camp, and have swallowed
whole the account of the wonderful
good things you are going to do for
the tribe. All this gush and fuss was
over that and your big heart."
Regardless of the mockery in the
girl's eyes, Hardy turned to smile and
nod at the policemen in acknowledg
ment of their kindly feeling.
Dupont muttered a curse, and ven
tured an ill-humored remark loud
enough to reach Hardy's ears: "The
whole bunch'd sing a different tune
if I told them how he turned down
the chance to give the tribe half
what's in our mine."
"Chuck it, Jake!" interposed Van
dervyu, with a good-humored smile
that surprised Hardy no less than the
trader. "It's up to us to take our
medicine. We know it will not be to
the best interests of the tribe. The
responsibility, however, is his."
"You ain't going to throw down, are
you?" exclaimed Dupont.
"What else can we do?" mildfy
asked Vandervyn. "The game is up."
"What if the government don't
make it no rush, but has the entry
meii draw lots?" objected Dupont. "I
been fool enough to show Cap through
the diggings and tell him what we
got blocked out. If he ain't square
enough to keep his head shut, we
won't stand no chance at all of buying
out the entryman what draws first
choice in the lottery."
"You see, captain," said Vandervyn.
"As we discovered and developed the
lode, do you not think the honorable
thing would be to make no mention
of the mine in your report?"
"The tribe should receive a large
payment for their mineral lands," re
plied Hardy.
"Quite true," agreed Vandervyn, his
voice ringing clear and strong with
sincerity. "There was talk of pay
ing them fifteen millions. I think it
should be fifteen or twenty. We have
found indications of other lodes. I
am sure you will see that it would be
perfectly honorable to report that
fact, but ' - e out all mention of our
mine. T ould protect us, and do
no harm che tribe. If you see it
that way, 1 will pull all the wires I
can to convince the government that
this part of the reservation is rich in
minerals. My uncle is chairman of
the treaty commission. If his report
favors a payment of fifteen or twenty
millions to the tribe, congress will ap
propriate that amount."
"If there are indications of other
lodes as rich as tills one, fifteen mil
lions is none too large a price," said
Hardy. "You agree to help obtain
fair compensation to the tribe?"
"Provided you do the fair and hon
orable thing by us," replied Vander
vyn. Hardy considered, and nodded.
"Very well. As between you and the
other entrymen, It seems to me right
to withhold your secret. You found
and developed tb'.s mine, and it is not
the fault of youvself and Dupont that
Nogen had the work done at the ex
pense of the tribe."
"Pere and Mr. Van will pay them
for all the work," proudly stated Ma
rie. Dupont gaped in blank amazement
at this unwelcome prediction. Not so
Vandervyn.
"Of course we shall pay them, cap
tain," he confirmed. "I intend to list
the claimants and the amount due
them at the council tomorrow. Nei
ther Jake nor I can afford to settle
with them out of hand. But Jake
will allow them part payment in trade
goods, and we shall make other pay
ments as fast as we get returns frorj
our next ore shipments,"
"Very good," agreed nardy. "You
arc to understand, however, that the
tribe must voluntarily bring tle ore
i to the reservation hnmdary unj ther
sell it to you. Have you co jsidev ..(1
'the risk of the public surm'lng '.he
1 : r . t. . r J- - - . i .
i.vi.iein.e jl luu imuu xiuij me ore
shipments?"
"No chance of that," explainf d Du
pont. "Nogen let it out that he got
the ore from a prospect in tr'ie moun
tains clean back across he other
boundary of the reser.vati' jn and be
showed around a sm elter report of a
shipment of ore t?iat ,ve'd doctored
with barren rock frfs t just paid out
expenses."
Hardy did no snile. ne returned
gravely to M:irie. in view of the
general agreement, Miss Dupont, may
I hope that you "
"You ma s not, Captain nardy," she
ungraciou iy iu terrupted. "You in
sulted irj fatb cr. "lie and I shall at
onre le ve for.- home,"
Dupont looked to Vandeivyu, and
receied a sign to acquiesce.
"Don't want to leave you in the
lurch, Cap," he said, "but if Marie's
set on going, guess I'll have to."
"Tell four of the police they are
detailed to escort yourself and Miss
Dupont back to the agency," ordered
Hardy. He raised his hat to Marie.
'Termit me to wish you a pleasant
journey."
The girl turned away without reply
ing, nardy st&od for a moment cool
and still under Vandervyn's exultant
smile; then faced about and steadily
walked off along the mountain ter
race. He did not return to the cabin un
til the greater number of the saddle
and pack ponies had been brought up
from the valley and the returning
party had mounted and ridden away
on the back trail. Vandervyn started,
off with them, and Hardy's keen, hazel
eyes dimmed as, leaning against a
gnarled pine on the slope above, he
watched the lovers ride away, side
by side.
Angered at himself for his momen
tary weakness, he sprang down the
ledges to the terrace, and hastened
back to talk with Redbear. He was
met at the cabin door by Oinna, who
placed a finger on her lips and whis
pered that her brother had at last
fallen asleep.
Hardy withdrew to the shady side
of the cabin, where he sat down on his
saddle and began drafting a list of in
structions for the tribal delegates to
Washington. He was still writing
them when, shortly before nightfall,
My appeal to you as a gentleman sav
ing failed. I must conclude that you
are not .a gentleman. I shall be com
pelled to disclose this incident to Miss
Dupont. You shall be escorted off the
reservation under arrest."
"You'll order me " cried Vandervyn,
and again he bent forward as if to
leap at his rival. Hardy stood cold
and motionless in the dim starlightf
The younger man checked himself.
His voice shook with suppressed an
ger: "You've got the drop on me now.
Wait till we hear from Washington."
"Until I am relieved from my pres
ent detail, I shall consider myself the
guardian of everyone and everything
belonging to the tribe," stated Hardy.
There followed a silence of several
moments' duration, in which Vander
vyn must have found time to reflect.
He drew back a step or two, lit his
pipe, and at last remarked in a some
what forced tone of conciliation: "I
see you're like an army mule no ust
trying to budge you when you balk. I
give you my word to act as a gentle
man in this affair."
"Very well," replied Hardy.
Vandervyn started off, sucking at
his pipe. Hardy turned about, and
locked the door on the outside with
the heavy padlock that hung loose In
the jamb staple, lie put the key in his
pocket, and walked around the cabin
to make certain that there were no
l. v . . v, uiu i i ' mw
crevices of the loopholes.
When he returned to the tree, he
found Vandervyn already outstretched.
He picked up his blankets and moved
down the slope, to spend the night in
the more congenial company of the
two remaining Indian policemen.
"You Insulted My Father!"
Vandervyn came jogging back to the
mine. He had had a delightful ride
with Marie, and he complacently inti
mated the fact to Hardy.
In the midst of this subtle torment
ing of his rival, Oinna came out to
serve the supper that she had cooked
in the cabin. Vandervyn abruptly
changed the subject, and began to talk
about the council next day. Hardy
gave no sign that he observed this
sudden break or the furtive, adoring
glances that the girl bestowed on Van
dervyn as she glided softly to and fro.
The night came on, clear and still.
As they puffed at their after-supper
pipes, Vandervyn suggested that, out
of consideration for the young woman,
they roll up in their blankets outside
the cabin. To this Hardy made no ob-.
jection. They picked out a soft spc
matted with fallen pine needles, und r
a low-growing tree, and soon b'atfn
were seemingly fast asleep.
After several minutes Vand' & 9 yn
spoke to his companion in a lov one
Hardy did not answer. Var jr;ervyn
drew out his pipe and struck & match.
He held the flame above Har dy's face.
The eyes were closed, and f Jj-e severe,
half-melancholy expressio a 0f e
harsh features was rela? as jf m
heavy slumber.
Vandervyn extinguish the match,
and slipped out of his 'iU.mkets. Noise
lessly he crept dow A t0 tne' cabin
and around to the do or m It was barre(i
on the inside. He tpgd on it.
There was a si iy ng soimd 'within
the cabin, and th 6 'heavy door began
to swing inward. Vandervyn put his
foot on the tbJ(yinold to enter At
the same mcjnf .nt a sinewy hand
gripped his FAor nder and jerked him
away. He cur Sed, and clapped his
hand to hjs 'aolster as he whirled
about. It wa s empty. He bent for
ward to sprf ng at tne dark form lQ
the half -ops' a doorway.
"Star,d b aCk j came the stern com
mand. "I have your revolver. Oinna,
close tho door."
This 3 oor SWung shut. In the tense
silence the rattle of the bar as it shot
br.ck nto its socket was distinct. Van
jorvyn's teeth ground together.
You straight-laced prig V he
-b oked out. "Get away from 'here!
P 111 going in."
"Suppose I do not choose to give it?"
"Then I will protect her by ordering
you to leave the reservation as fast
iis you can travel."
"I see," taunted Vandervyn. "You
want to get rid of me, so you can have
clear sailing with Marie. You're a
great one to spout about honor!
You'll go and blat to her about this."
"You know very well I cannot do
that. Yet if you refdse to give me
your word, I ;jhall feel justified in
telling Dupont -ny reason for ordering
you off the re ovation."
Vandervyn 'mrst into a cynical
laugh. "Do you think Jake's the sort
to care.
"When the happiness of his daugh
ter is at stake "
"Precisely. He thinks I'm her one
best chance.
"Very well," replied Hardy. "Since,
like this poor girl's, her natural
guardian is unfit, my position as acting
agen: requires me to take his placii.
CHAPTER XIV.
In White and Black.
In the morning Oinna did not shovy-
herself outside the cabin, thoupi
Hardy called a kindly good morui
to her. Her brother, with one r,ir
carefully bandaged and in a siirjg,
brought out tho breakfast tha';' 'ae
cooked. He looked so weak ajd 'un
steady that Hardy at once Cfiscfttcd
when he mumbled that he wished to
go back to bed and rest cnti the
council.
"You must have your wits about
you this time," added Ha'vdy. "What
ever the cause of the nrisunierstand
ing at the first counci it, must not
recur. You are too o'reky ;s in your
interpretations. Inform our sistftv
that she is to be pre .-sent I shall re-r
quire her to check y ou." '
"Would you mak.e a 'girl as shy as
she is stand up in a tribal council
and interpret?" demonstrated Vander
vyn, as Redbear slun'.f around the end
of the cabin.
"The presence f,f her grandfather
will give her .-our age," replied Hardy.
"It is necessary that she should be
present. I do not trust either the
ability or t'ie honesty of her brother.".
Vanderv ya shrugged, and said no
more. Fia'i an hour or so later he
asked p erjiission to use Hardy's pen
and ps.d to write some letters. The
captai n handed them to him. and
started Up the' mountainside above
the tur jnel mouth. A steep path led up
to tire top of the spur ridge from
w'aic'.i the shaft had been sunk from
t ae apex of the outcrop of the vein.
J is soon as he had gone beyond ear-
sr,ot, Vandervyn rose to stretch him
self and call softly through the neaK
est loophole. He then seated hlmselr
on his saddle and began to write. A
listener would have had need to be
near at hand to have heard the low
murmur of Itedbear's and Oinna's
voices through the loophole above
Vandervyn's head.
When Hardy returned from his ex
amination of the upper works of the
mine, Vandervyn sealed in his pres
ence the two letters that he had writ
ten. They appeared decidedly thin, in
view of the time that Vandervyn had
spent in his writing and the number
of sheets of paper gone from the pad.
But Hardy did not observe this. His
attention had been diverted by a large
party of Indians that had appeared
on the velvety greea meadows of the
valley bottom.
The tribal council had begun to as
semble. This time the chiefs and
headmen did not come alone. From
far camps as well as near, the men
of the tribe were bringing their fami
lies to see the Longknife chief whom
they had first hated but now believed
to be their friend and father.
noon their numbers had grown front
scores to hundreds.
Shortly after the midday meal one
of the Indian policemen brought word
up to the cabin that the head chief
had arrived and the council was
ready to talk with the agent. Hardj
at once gave command to mount. A
soon as Hardy and Vandervyn started
to ride down the slope. Oinna slipped
out, and held her brother's pony for
him. She then mounted her own, ana
rode after him.
At the foot of the slope the ride
came out through a grove of young,
quaking asps into sudden view of the
picturesque and imposing tribal coun
cil. Fully half the tribe had gatheied
together for the occasion. All up aad
down the valley the meadows wre
dotted with their ponies. The Indian?
were assembled in a dense crowd
the men in a deep band around the
chiefs, the women and children outside.
Do you believe that Vandervyn
can persuade Oinna to do so cr
scare her into misinterpreting
Captain Hardy's statements to
the tribesmen? Will Hardy
catch Vandervyn at his dirty
work this time and punish him
for it?