The Red Cloud chief., 1897-01-15
CHAPTER NNU.


CHAPTER XVII.
As the spring advanced. Brace
turned his eyes daily to the noun
tain tops. On the first, Of May he
said he would have II day or two off,
and .'jcst have u look around at
things"
On the seventh he returned.
1.-The times c1me," he said: ''the
SHOWS goin' away sharp. and the
rocks is already squittering down.
but glory he, the holes open. All
we've got to pray for now is that
the Kidnl listen to the voice OF rea.
son. Leave her to me-"
As we were sitting at table he
said, in a casual way
al was up to my old lot in Peters
Vile for a bit of q refresher during
nv little holiday, sir: ana you're no
idea how nice the old place do look.
Now, supposin'-as we amt got
NARY blessed thing to do for the
next week, we kinder take u look
around artcr that stone we used ter
think such a lot of-jest for curios-
10y llhc-ltl iHc hlu uoCu oOt
make u fine TODD about bein' good
when she was sick; do you feel like
it now. my gelg"
Lola turned deadly pale, and was
silent for a moment, then lifting her
y g to mine. she stretched her hand
out. and as l took it, said
al am ready"
We made u preparations that
afternoon. and took the night train
from San Diego to Canyon river,
where we put up for the night. In
the morning we took the stage to
Great Canyon City--a deserted min
ing town at the foot OF the Sierra.
After lunching at the only hotel. we
tried mules, and. leaving the valley.
assembled the mountain path.
Water streamed freely down the
mountain path upon the lower
slopes; but our difficulties only COM
menced when we reached the line
where the half-melted snow made
the rocks ~treacherous even to the
feet of the sure mules. We had four
hours OF terribly rough and danger
u travelling before we reached
Petersville-the most wretched col
lection OF rotten shanties | o saw.
A man came from tho building,
which still bore faint trace of the
word Hotel" on its facade, ana
| greeting Brace with the air of an
old acquaintance said he had got
everything aired, and u supper
all ready to put down to the
fire. Brace had seen the
> necessity OF preparing him for on,
reception. A couple Of rooms hat
been made as decently respectable u;
might be expected. We left Lola
there and strolled about while dinner
: vas preparing.
0 IL have know'd the time" sait
t the Judge. impressively, '.when boil
r sides of this river was lined will
miners. and every n on 'em wOrtl
0 his thousands of dollarsi"
l had no sympathies with tho pas
glOries OF the stream. NV mind wa,
Q filled with admiration Of the savag,
beauty OF the scenery around.
, Thar" said the Judge, finging i,
piece Of wood. part OF an appliance
which might have washed gold un
{ told. into the turbid and rushing
waters; .'thar bar stOppages. thatl
pass the Great Hesper in less tim,
than 1T will take us to get back T.
I the hotel"
y ais it through that cleft we hav'
v to go"
..Ah, sir, and down into the yer.
innards OF it."
/ was looking toward tho dari
0 chasm with "a feeling OF awe, whel
i Brace touched my elbow. lie wa
It dragging at his chin tuft, his lowe
@ lip prOtruding, his heavy brows bent
n He pointed slowly to u trace in tn
snow.
d THE man from the hotel bee
o down here's that what you mean:'
v ] asked.
4 lit amt him, sir. that mark. Loo.
@ at tits a ~one-footcd man! end,
G he added, striding forward and look
II ing closer--.end it's "a loft-fOote
u man! end it's o one wooden'legger
f. mani" and then, with conviction
It ..It's the burned niger that's bee
p spyin' after us. Leave him to mt
He amt goin' to spy after us to'mol
IS row, not hef ! knows It,"
,f approached the marks. and pei
IT ceived that beside the foot was tn
d round hole made by q wooden STUMP
ID After dinner. Brace looked to tn
t, pine torches he had brought up an
spent the evening in trying ther
carefully, while chatting with tn
ID man OF tho hotel. He said not
| word about our discovery. nor d.
in tn man speak OF any visitor bein
In the house. This. with y oertai
2 cunning look in his little red eye,
&c alarmed me.