Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-09-01
CHAPTER XVII.

1
yawned between them.
CHAPTER XVII.
No language can describe DR.. Blanch.
ards joy at sight Of his daughters In
his eagerness To clasp them to his breast
had not Captain Brandon restrained
him.
Let me 20 To my childrenr' cried
the delighted old man. See! They are
reaching out their hands 10 me. "
The canyon separates Us, said the
captain. wait till we have spoken
with them. y
Alice saw at glance the futility Of
attempting to join the party at that
point, and she knew that the same OBJ
struction prevented them coming to her
side.
Mutual congratulations passed back
and forth, and, at Captain Brandon's re-
quest, Alico told Of their escape and the
condition i'll which they left Bouton's
camp.
Remain where you are, s" said the
captain when Alice had concluded the
brief but thrilling story Of their flight.
Hide in the shadow of that rock and
we will come 10 you.
"How long before you can reach us!''
said Alice.
at will take till the middle Of the
| afternoon 10 flank the head Of the can
yon, but keep up good heart.
Would it not b. better for Us TO 60
and meet you:'
NO Though il there were no danger
in the way, | would consent. We know
where you are now. Should you leave,
we might not b. able to find you. "
And what are we 10 do with the
horses"
II you can find grass near by, let
them Craze. see you have riatas fas-
tened 10 the saddles, said the captain.
With words Of encouragement the
party rode off, DR.. Blanchard remaining
in the rear, and every few PAGES he
turned to look back at his daughters and
10 wave his hand 10 them. \ cloud
seemed 10 come up from the canyon and
settle ON the landscape when the good
white head disappeared.
The girls found little space close by
covered with nutritious bunch grass,
and here they secured the horses, tying
them so that they could Craze. They
found a rock walled cays in the glen
where they could cit. or, il they chose,
lie down with comfort, but though much
fatigued the novelty Of the situation,
the recent happy meeting and the de-
lightful anticipation of soon being with
their father and brother again kept them
wake. The same feelings prevented
them thinking If food or the fact that
the only water for miles around was
roaring in the inaccessible depths Of the
canyon. The day was very hot. The rocks
gli,tened along the volcanic SUBMITS as
II they were becoming ignited and must
soon burst forth in lurid flames The
heated air rose up in shimmering waves
and looked as if it were painting The
distant landscape became fantastic and
distorted.
Can we not find some place where
there is IA little water or air!' asked
Clara, her brow beaded and her cheeks
crimsoned with the heat
I'VE might, replied Alice, but |
feel it is better 10 endure where we are
safe than 10 venture ont where some OF
the outlaws may see Us. y
As in all things, Clara yielded to this
opinion and drew closer into the strip
Of shadow made by the rock towering
above them. They had just settled down
again TO endure with patience the swell
tering heat when both were startled by
the actions Of the horses The animals
ceased 10 be languid, and now, with di-
lating nostrils, heads erect and fright
ened eyes, they locked up the walls of
the glen directly above where the sis
tiers We're sitting.
What can it be?" asked Clara, look
ing anxiously about her.
1--WE cannot see from here" replied
Alice. "Let us go out where the horses
are.
They rose and were walking to the
center Of the glen, when, to their
amazement, the horses started back
with snorts of alarm and tugged at the
ropes till they snapped like pistols. Alice
saw the danger and ran forward to
catch and soothe the animals, but before
she could reach them they had turned
and sped away as only frightened horses
can.
Can you see anything?" asked Alice,
who ignored the loss of the horses III
her anxiety to learn what frightened
them.
81 think l see man," gasped Clara
THAT is a shdaow," said Alice.
"But it moves See! 1t comes this
way"
As they watched the shadow it rose
till it looked as if cast by giant.
"That can't be man, " said Alice,
who still retained her fine presence OF
mind
What do you think it can be?"
'It might be some animal. Better
that than any Of Bouton's people. 1t
has disappeared"
"But why remain here, sister"
"Why fly from q shadow, Clara?"
asked Alice, encircling her sisters slen-
der waist to give her confidence.
"It is not shadow, sister. There it
is! See its glaring eyes and hanging
tonguer'
Alice looked up the rocks and saw
coming down one Of those mountain
terrors, q grizzly bear. Neither Of them
had ever seen such monster before.
But while crossing the plains they had
often heard Captain Brandon describe
the fierce creatures appearance and con-
duct, 80 that now they recognized him.
For the moment they were frozen with
terror. The instant the grizzly caught
sight Of them he rose on his launches
and sent forth o series Of growls that
| indicated his humor.
| At the sound Of his voice Alice and