Hutchinson gazette., 1901-03-07


as much feeling as the dry bones you
study"
The professor ignored mo. and
shook the PROSTATE man.
Get up" he said, commandingly, a
new note In his voice, "Do as tell
you, and your brother may be saved
yet"
The man rose We both stared at
Hallowell. wondered II he had really
gone crazy
"Take tho tongue off the wagon"
he said curtly, "and spread the cover
and all the cloth you can find on the
ground near mo-"
For q moment ! healtated, then II
dlmly occurred to me that even u
bookworm might have original Ideas,
and ! said soto voce to the newcom-
er.-
"Do as he says he's by no means 40
big fool as he looks"
rather think Iallowell overheard
me, for he shot distinctly ungrateful
glance In my direction, but he could
say nothing, as we were both now zeal
ously obeying him.
He made us cut the great cloth COW
or in two large sails, and these we fas-
tened on the wagon under his orders
"surely-surely," l gasped, you
don't think that you can make that
cloud Of gas help us? Why, It's fad
Ing awayW
1T Is not fading" said the proles-
sor, brusquely. 1T seems much faint
er because you are 30 near 1t and be-
cause OF tho action Of the sun on IT,
Do as | tell you-there's no time 10
lose"
When he was satisfied he made us
scramble into the wagon and We sat
there, waiting for--what? Three ap-
parently sane men in horseless wag-
on, waiting for sky motor which mo-
mentarlly grew falnterl When ten
minutes passed by outraged dignity as
serted itself.
81 won't be made fool Of" I said
angrlly. and started to leave the wag-
on.
Hallowell pushed me back on my
seat. Then became aware Of sick
ening odor-a fresh breeze on my
back pale mist around us shot with
brilliant hues, and lol we were run
ming over the plain at rate that
threatened to wreck the wagon--our
sails swelled out like two great wings.
My hair was rapidly assuming ver-'
tical position, but the two faces near
me showed utter unconsciousness OF
danger. That OF the stranger was
burning with Joy and reverent thank
fulness. To him 1t was a God-sent
miracle for good mans rescue. The
professor was radiant over this new
factor In his knowledge and he NUT
tered his observations aloud. Neither
seemed disturbed by the fact that
from the speed and the smell, breathing
was no easy, matter As to me--my
one hope was that | might touch old
earth again safely.
On on We flew. Again and again
expected an immediate smashup. but
our wagon was Of fine and strong
make, the plain was level, and we badel.
fair to reach the town shortly. In
less than two hours we were not three
miles from Fremont!
Then terrible idea flashed on me
which l had been too hurried to think
OF before. We should pass the town!
Like the brook, we might so on for
ever or at least far enough to wreck
us on the broken lands beyond, As to
the stranger, the trip would have been
Of no earthly use to him.
II shall jump" he said simply, as IL
in answer to an outspoken inquiry.
The professor was looking anxious but
he said nothing,
But we had forgotten the little river
lying near the town. We struck 1t like
cyclone, and its four feet OF water
was whipped into wild spray around
us, while the wagon spun like frantic
top, then stopped with lurch that
nearly sent us flying, Either the force
Of our motor was lessening or perhaps,
even at its best, 1t would not have had
time or strength to loosen the wagon
from the heavy snag driven between
the spokcs, for the pale gas rushed on,
leaving three dripping men and some
ruined specimens in the river, with
Fremont not 500 yards away.