Just as he turned the corner
of the building, almost stumbling against the post commander, there came
bursting forth from the dark interior a young woman of the Sioux,
daring, furious, raging, and, breaking loose from the grasp of the two
luckless soldiers who had her by the arms, away she darted down the
road, still screaming like some infuriated child, and rushed straight
for the open gateway of the Hays. Of course the guard hastened in
pursuit, the major shouting "Stop her! Catch her!" and the men striving
to appear to obey, yet shirking the feat of seizing the fleeing woman.
Fancy, then, the amaze of the swiftly following spectators when the
trader's front door was thrown wide open and Mrs. Hay herself sprang
forth. Another instant and the two women had met at the gate. Another
instant still, and, with one motherly arm twining about the quivering,
panting, pleading girl and straining her to the motherly heart, Mrs.
Hay's right hand and arm flew up in the superb gesture known the wide
frontier over as the Indian signal "Halt!" And halt they did, every
mother's son save Kennedy, who sprang to the side of the girl and faced
the men in blue. And then another woman's voice, rich, deep, ringing,
powerful, fell on the ears of the amazed, swift-gathering throng, with
the marvellous order: "Stand where you are! You shan't touch a hair of
her head! She's a chief's daughter.
Pages:
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264