Again the raps sounded out, loud and distinct, as Morris struck his hardened knuckles against the board, making these sounds:
.. ::: ..—.: .... .. ... .. ..
Shoshone read “These are the men who tried to rob and murder me!”
As Shoshone read these signs aloud, John saw that the game was up and he must save himself as best he could, and sprang to reach his pistol, but Shoshone was too quick for him and pulled him to the floor, while Dopey came from the shadow where he had kept himself purposely and fell upon Shoshone, and the three went struggling to the floor. Morris had by now completely regained his consciousness, though not his strength, and, finding himself unable to rise, he reached out and managed, by a super-human effort, to reach the pistol on the table and fire it just as John had seized the heavy lamp to brain Shoshone with it, as Dopey held him down, and although Morris fired at random almost, he was fortunate enough to hit John in the arm, while the lamp dropped to the floor, just as Helen and Loney came panting in.
John and Dopey made their escape in the confusion, and there was nothing left to do but to prepare and eat a good supper, which helped materially in restoring Morris, who told them of having seen his daughter, and that she did not know him.
Helen felt sure that her captors were holding her for a ransom, wishing to get the mine into their control. They discussed the question awhile, and then Loney said:
“Why, Mr. Goldberg, those two men were the very same that killed the man in the shop. And when they struck you to-day they were not shaved. To-night they are shaved, and I know them. They are awful bad men. They took Dora, and they hit me. Oh, dear! it makes my head hurt to think about it!”
CHAPTER XIV.
It was several weeks after the events narrated in the last chapter, and there was quite an excitement at a place which, though not yet born, was named Boomtown. There was to be a portion of the Reservation to be given over to settlers, and many women were among the men who were ready to cross the line at the signal and take up their section of ground, and thus establish a home.
Morris had gained his strength, and Bennie had gotten over the mortification of having been chased up a tree by what he considered some vicious animal on the momentous night of the attack on Morris, only to find in the morning that it had been but a cow that had strayed from the herd and wanted human companionship. Bennie had been unmercifully guyed by the rough men, but he took it all in such good part that they ceased tormenting him and liked him better than he knew.