The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1901-01-04
BY Il D. Mackenzie

fore her pursuers could reach her? She
might be drowned Although she could
swim. her clothes would be an almost
lnsuperablc obstacle But death by
such gentle means would be preferable
TO the fate before her.
They were Just abou, to pllngc into
the water when Chipanga gave snd-
den cry. Dluebells startled eyes. fol-
lowing Moore. saw his horse suddenly
stumble In the water Moore made
desperate effort TO keep himself up.
but as the horse, ondcayoring to re-
gain It's footing. made another blum
dering step. his rider was thrown clean
over his head and disappeared.
"He is drowning, Run, run! Help
hlm!" cried Dlucbell. She hardly
know afterwards what wrung the cry
from her. whether II was real horror
NJ the accident that had happened 20
her prosecutor or the sudden Wild con-
victlon that the chance had come to
her.
In moment Chipanga md plunged
into the river lie was holding the
relns Of Blucbell's horse. and endclv-
orlng 90 draw him after him: but the
animal resisted. lifting mp his forelegs.
and Bluohell breathcd an agonlzed
Thank Cod"
The next instant she had slipped
from the horses back and was run
ming with incredible speed mp tho
bank.
The grass was so long that Il stood
above her head but once she got ont
OF II she was in a short. Btubbly un-
dergrowth Of grass. without looking
back. hardly breathing. she now on.
II was 80 dark that she felt sure In
a few seconds she would be beyond the
sight Of her enemies.
On. on, on stumbling over tufts OF
grass, plunging into bushes. tearing
herself out again. not knowing width
err she was going. hardly caring. only
determined to put distance between
herself and the hateful fate that had
seemed so near. Blueboll was hardly
able TO draw breath. II came in sob
bling gasps from her dry and parched
lips.
Her ears were strained 10 catch the
sound OF her pursuer's horses hoofs.
or at least a shout. No sound came,
andIpresently she ventured to slackon
her speed. What had happenedY
Could the man have been drowned?
nut she had TO think OF herself.
she must find some hiding place for
the night nt least Though she was
warm. painting and pcrsplring with her
breathless run. she knew that present
ly II would be Intensely cold. She had
loosened the heavy CLOAK which COW
cred her almost to the heels as she
ran. and carried It on her arm. She
dared not drop II. though Il impeded
her Night. for that would give her pur-
suors a clue.
She was on the sandy plain nj last,
where walking was nt least less I'M
oven than on the dry grass. Suddenly
she saw before her little hlllock; II
might have been an ant Hill from It's
size and appearance. Bluebell was soon
at H. II was not an ant hill. but the
deserted hole OF an ant bear. as she
discovered. She erawled into II. 1;
was dry and warm.
"They will not find me here" she
thought. Even II they followed on
my tracks. they could not see the bear
hole in the dark"
She threw herself on the ground
she could hardly sit upright. so small
was the hole--and for the first time
faced her position. She had no food,
and no means OF procuring any. She
wag lost on a painless veldt. not know
ing where the nearest wagon tract,
was Wholly ignorant Of her wherea-
bouts rs she was, what was 20 become
OF herr II she could not find her way
TO any human habltatlon she must In
ovltably die OF starvation.
The girl bent her face on her clasped
hands. and surely as earnest a prayer
ns ever rose to the ears OF the Al
mighty Father assembled from that
strange hiding place.
"oh, mcreltul Father. Thou who ART
able to save Thy children whom they
cry TO Thee. grant me Thy help now
commit myself 10 Thee There Il
none other to whom | cen 20. Hell
me, help me, for Thy Sons sake!"
Strange TO say. sleep came 10 hel
presently; and In that deserted beai
hole. In the midst OF a lonely and des
olate veldt. alone In tho world. as 4
seemed Bluoboll Leslie slept soundly
She awakened suddenly. Il was ter
riblo sound like that OF distant thun
der that broke her slumber. Bluebel
sat up. shlyerins with an uncontrolla
BILE terror. for she had heard tina
sound once before. and knew what /
was,
II was the distant roar OF lion,
She crouched down In her hidinl
place, shaking from head 10 foot
What II the terrible king Of beast
should discover her "spoor" and trac
her 10 her shelter? Tho thought o
the horrible death that would then b
Inevitable made Bluebelrs flesh cree
and her blood turn cold.
There was no more sleep for he
. that night She lay. with shakln
+ limbs and londly-beltlng heart. on he
, bed OF stuhble grass. her ears straine
10 catch the sudden. hlood-curdlln
roar Of the Hon before the CLASSY en-
trance 10 her shelter But Il did nc
, | cofno The dlftaut rrrs,hiinn die