Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1894-06-08

WU{HH&Ateu ueSeru 49, ~ e. u
= r. broke on the following |
morning luke Mowbray slipped secretly |
and noiselessly out of Vladivostok, and |
turned westward toward the pine |
crowned ridges of the Sikota range.
He rode the commandant's horse and !
wore huge pair of boots the Russian
had lent him. Before him on the saddle
rested the mail bag, and in his right
hand he carried loaded revolver,
ready for instant use.
1t was broad daylight when he crossed
the plain and rode into the mountains
He had little fear of losing his way, for
Captain Shanoff had impressed the road
carefully upon his mind, and to further
aid him the trees were marked with an
ak at short intervals.
Luke was troubled with no misgiv-
ings as his horse slowly picked his way
over the frozen ground. He was one OF
those adventurous fellows who roam the
world over seeking out strange places
and untrodden paths, and he was keenly
enjoying this little Siberian excursion.
Captain Shanof had truly declared
the road to be bad.s For ten miles it led
up and down hill, over stones and fallen
| trees, and more than once Luke had to
| dismount and lead the horse over some
unusually bad spot.
| About noon he reached the top Of the
highest ridge and made brief halt for
lunch. The valley below him was
thickly wooded and was deep and mar
row. The road led through it for seven
or eight miles, and then, the captain had
said, it crossed gap in the mountains
at point only three miles distant from
the mining camp.
1t had suddenly grown colder, and the
air was keen and biting as Luke rode
slowly down the mountain side. The
valley was wild and desolate, and Luke
had to admit to himself as he spurred on
his horse that it was very uncomforta-
Bile bit of country.
For the first time in his recollection a
strange feeling of uneasiness crept grad
ually over him, and he tried in vain to
shake off its influence. To make mat.
tiers worse, fine snow began to come
down and the sky grew dark and gloomy.
Luke was by no means superstitious,
, but the idea now took firm possession OF
him that some great peril was approach
ing, and for moment he wished thai
: he had not volunteered for such an I'M
certain piece of business. Then he grew
angry with himself.
"What nonsense!' he cried half aloud
And whipping up his horse he gal
, loped at swifter pace up the valley
Swimming over the crusted snow, anC
! leaning over rocks and bushes until thu
I forest dwindled to the edge of clear
ing, a long, low bit of ground, undu
, lated with hillocks of drifted snow.
' On the very cdge his horse stopped ant
shifted the air uneasily. Then he dashed
! forward with start, almost unseatins
: his rider.
!. On the frozen ground was some darl
4 object, and as Luke with difficult.
pulled his horse up short he saw, with
: thrill of horror, that it was mail bas
b similar to the one he carried.
1t was lying half under the snow, ant
v as he dismounted and tried to pull
loose he discovered dark red stains Of
}. the frozen crest. Horror stricken, h
o stood still in amazement, forgetting t.
|
y horse pricked up his ears and began +
n tremble violently.
With sudden impulse Luke threw
g himself back into the saddle on the in
slant, for far in the rear came long
!" mournful howl that trembled and die
a away.
vi The mystery was solved.
Il Like flash Luke realized the fate O
the two mail carriers-a fate that nigh
l. ere long be melted out to him, for tn
o. howl he heard was the cry of hungr
e wolves. Again and again it rose on tn
a wintry air, louder and more savage. Al
ready they scented their prey.
Il Driving the spurs deep Luke flashe
e up the valley at blind and furiou
,. pace.
10 He knew too well the nature of hi
= foes The commandant had assure
G him that no wild animals frequente
% that part of the country. So much tn
% worse, The hungry brutes had bee
5. driven by starvation toward the coast
, and having no doubt devoured the tw
1t natives they had taken up their habits
a ton in the valley.
Is Soon the howl was repeated and take
n up on each side until the forest ran
II with their doleful sounds.
=. They gradually came closer, thong
d the brave horse was laundering onwar
il with all his strength. A little Will
S, longer and he might be saved, for a
y ready dimly through the trees LUX
4 could see the break in the mountains.
The forest became more open, an
" once, turning half around in the saddl,
Dr. he saw the dusky forms leaping throug
the bushes. A terrific howl told onl
lie too plainly that they had sighted the
is prev. There was the gap before hiI