Bert Wilson in the Rockies

dian O

on one evening, just after his return from a trip to town; "everybody in Helena seems t

erest at once aroused. "You don't mean ther

r medicine.' Of course, the old men of the tribes do all they can to keep them within bounds, for they know how useless any outb

r," exclaimed Tom excitedly; "why, they wouldn't hav

ay, the uprising would be suppressed quickly enough, but not perhaps without considerable bloodshed and loss of property. At any

e such preparations to subdue an uprising among the Indians that it

eadiness for instant action. But the 'noble red man' is cunning in his own way, and lays his plans carefully. And when he is ready to strike he strikes quickly, like the snake. A marauding band

ble of the kind for a long

r years the memory of this lingers, but gradually it fades away, and the rising generation of young bucks, with the inherited lust of fight and warfare running riot in their blood, become restless and rebellious under the restraints of civilization and government. They hear stories of their ancestors' prowess from the lips of the old men of the tribe, and they long to go out and capture a few 'pale face' s

would teach them wisdom, and keep them fro

lways prone to disregard what is told it by its elders, and to insist

thing personal in

nt expression on his face, but a twinkle in his e

"I just thought it bare

n, "nothing could have bee

ous, and Tom and Be

r you boys to ride to town to-morrow and get the latest news. There'll be very little going on about the ranch to-morrow to interest you, and it will be a goo

t to making preparations. It was a considerable distance to the town, and th

at same evening, and before retiring had ma

day, and the exhilarating air made them feel "right up on their toes," as Tom expressed it. Bert felt called upon to reprove Tom f

Tom flippantly; "it's to

caught him, but they were longing for a canter, anyway, and this gave them a good excuse. But after traveling in this rapid manner for a short distance they pulled in their steeds

mise to be good and never do it aga

sentence this time, but at the next offe

lariat if he does, that's all." He grinned feebly as he got off this

ally expect such things from Tom, but I had a better opinion of you. I suppose I'll have to let by

wo tightly rolled sombreros came flying toward Bert's head. But he ducked just in time, and th

n they set off at a steady trot, discussing in a more serious

anyway, I hope it does while we're out here. I feel like a small boy going to a

lertly on the lookout for any signs of impending trouble. All seemed much the same as usual, though, except that about the telegraph and newspaper office

g and hitching their horses, went inside. The post office also served as a t

of an outbreak, although they had made no actual hostile moves as yet. Troops had been summoned to the reservation, however, and were expe

all right," said Bert, after he and hi

kely as not it will all blow over be

on of the townspeople is. They must understand the situation pretty thoroughly, and we can soon find out

citizens. Everywhere men were getting out and overhauling t

marked Tom; "there seems to be a chance

Winchester repeater inside my blankets. I wasn't even thinking of the Indians then, but I thought we might have a chance at a little

d Dick; "have you got ple

"I think while we're here I'll

for their revolvers. This done they made the purchases for Mr. Melton that he had reques

dark they let the horses set their own pace. They had many things to talk about, although the heat of the sultry afternoon

we can get the latest developments of the reservation situation from Buck, the driver. He always has

" exclaimed Dick, pointing to a

smirch against the clear blue background of sky; "come along, fellow

. In a short time they reached the travel-hardened trail, beating the coach by a good half

dless trail, drawn by four raw-boned mules. As it drew near, the boys waved their somb

mbled a hoarse greeting. "How goes it, pa

hearing a lot lately of the expected redskin uprising, and we wanted to know if you had a

ou want my honest opinion I'd say thet the Injuns ain't got nerve enough

he stage driver's slouch hat from his head. Zip! Zip! Zip!

rl of oaths. "Down behind the coach, Sam!" addressing the guard, who always rode

and Tom made for the same shelter. There were only two passengers in the coac

there," said Buck, "but it's an almighty queer way

ng cautiously around the end of the coach. "Inj

inted faces surmounted by tufts of eagle feathers. The guard, recovering from his first paralysis of astonishment, took careful aim at one of them and pulled the trigger. A yell of pain followed the report

t thicker than the sides, and besides, as it is there's nothin' to prevent the b

not slow to perceive this, and they opened a steady fire. But fortunately they were poor shots, and most of their bullets went wild. Several struck the mules, however, and the unfortunate animals plunged and ki

o the task of overturning it. By dint of exerting all their strength they finally

ef; "so fur, so good, but we got to do more than that. Them Injuns will start to surround us

ink we'd better

lied the driver, "an' it looks as though we stood a good chance o' gettin' shot full o' lead doin' it

we might as well get it over with," s

s who have rifles to be on the lookout and pick off any of the redskins who show

Buck. "Sam, here," motioning toward the guard

ert, and before the driver could answer was busi

said Buck, addressing Tom and Dick, "an' then set the critters loose.

sed, would make for the ranch, and they had little fear of the Indians being able to catch them. Accordingly, a few minutes later the three trusty animal

their guns cautiously around each end of the coach, they fired with sure aim every time a dusky arm or leg was exposed by their attackers. They were both crack shots, and their bullets seldom failed t

"Into the coach, boys, and rustle

d with fright to move, dashed into the coach, and before the Indians realized what

and the defenders set to work to construct a circular rampart, using the coach as part of it. After ar

n some way I'm afraid we're done for, anyway. There's a big party o' bucks there, and chances are that more will join them before mornin'. Then they'll

to summon aid?" asked one of the

miles to the nearest town, and the Injuns'll be on us long before anybody could get to town and bring back help, even s

ey'll attack before

nd us first, an' they won't start to do that until after d

at individual. "There ain't a chance in the

r was regarded as settled, and the boys commenced overhau

hat the Indians were far from giving up their attack. To them the respite was more ominous than

e critters are cookin' up some deep plan to circumvent

ng us closer than a cat watches a mouse," said

so that the hat projected above the edge of the over-turned coach. Instantly a sharp fusillade broke from the Indian's

emarked Buck grimly; "ef they don't get ou

he shouted. "Listen! The new branch they've been putting through from the railroad is almost completed, and a foreman I was speaking to a few days ago

claimed Buck, "an' it ain't far from here

railroad, Bert," said Dick anxiously; "they

Bert. "Besides, if I don't go our condition is h

o through at that. The best thing will be for him to make the try the first second after dark. The redskins won't s

d how are you going to telegraph wi

f I can only get that far I'll manag

nder the rim of the prairie. For a short time the sky was painted in vivid color

son," said Buck; "

st," replied Bert, and then turning shook ha

any good," said Dick, wringing Bert's hand.

but don't you worry about me. The India

hey've had time to surround us yet. If you do get through and send the message make for town. Don't try to get back here

t whether or not to come back." Needless to say, in his own mind there was little doubt tha