The Red Cloud chief., 1902-11-07
csSyrxs. un7. ~ Roersr BossnSs sosA
An rssnss resasvsA
CHAPTER xvi.-(con,inued.

iOuT 10 manage tnat woman. |
couldn't stay in the same camp and
set up quarters by a big black stump
half a mile away from her"
Curse such luck. wish the men
had stayed"
Why Who are you afraid of"
Il don't know who he is. only he
calls himself the Old Nan OF the
Mountains.
Where is her
In her tert.'
Where did he come from"
Looks q Il he had slid down the
peak Of some iceberg. Go and take
II sGuiHt at him
Eunmirs, though a coward when
there was a woman in the case. had
little fears CT men. Creeping stealth.
lily UP TO the tent he peeped in and
beheld the odd Man of the Noun.
taias." seated on a camp stool before
tie fair Laura. his rifle between his
Knees. while she was telling him her
story.
"Umph' It's old 81. Nick or an
escaped Se'kirk. Looks as IL he
br!stled with weapons. and | don't
doubt but he a use EN-. The boss
is right. for a glimpse O. that face
and the arsenal he carries is enough
20 give a polar bear the agcr."
Notwithstanding the unprepossess.
Ing appearance OF the man from the
mcunta!rs. he pressed his ear close
10 the tent to listen to the converse.
zion between tie two.
Why did you come to Alaska. my
poor c..iid?"
Il caare to ind the mar | love. Ny
Paul, who was lost
Laura told the old man her story
and az the conclusion said:
He tells me Paul is dead. I do
not believe him He has deceived me
on more than Gre occasion. and he
viii do so again IL Il serves his pur.
pose. My heart tells me Paul lives"
MY child. that silent monitor is
never wrong. Your Paul lives. He is
not far away. but he. you ard I are in
great peril. We must act with caution
ard secrecy or we will al. be dead
bc:oTe morning. These men are des-
perate crimiralf. VIII you trust me-"
Yes. with myt Iife!"
Pretend n IN you had heard moth
but be readA to act as I direct"
ID o know where Paul is,"
Yes, hut he 10 under q strong
soard. b there no one with the
sss = '|Fu''' No Indian or
Il do rot understand them NOT
hey me; buzz I have my trusty ser.
ant. Ben Bolton."
"X%>Aafs her"
"He was sent to-day to see II the
pass could be opened"
The pass has not been closed"
said the hermit. MY dear daughter.
sending him of was only an excuse to
get your friends out of the way: but
all is well. Heaven is on your side
and directed me here"
"Humph, Wen see about that"
growled Cummins, rising from his
knees. They kin put their trust in
what they like. but il the boss will
y hHt INV ~ way II put NINE IN
about ten inches OF cold STEEL"
He hurried TO Lakeland, who was
sitting OF a sled, his face expressing
the deepest anxiety. In as few words
as possible he narrated the interview
between the mysterious old man and
Laura. Lakeland made several ef.
forts to speak before he finally sue.
ceeded. then. In a voice strangely un.
natural. he said;
1T has come at last! | hoped I
would be spared b~loodshed, but there
Is no help for it. Since il must come.
let 1t come. We will do our worst. II
the old nan and Paul Miller are In our
way. let them die"
We'll. there will be little time
TO act"
Il know IT,"
Lakeland. who still shrank from the
thought of committing murder him.
self. began TO plan To have his myrmi.
dons do all the work. and agreed very
readily to have reinforcemeuts.
Il think IL would be well for you 20
start back and get two Of the men
he said. Can't you do IL in a few
hours?'
Yes; on snOwshoes | can make il
by tomorrow Let us leave
the valley and start down the trail"
They had to cross the river 10 reach
the trail. but by this time the Yukon
was frozen over, SO they crossed on
the ice.
Tney had car got over when they
saw three ro~ ms coming along the
trail.
There they are now" said Lack.
1ard.
The three forms could be . com.
ing hurriedly mp the path and. WHEN
they drew nearer. tne form OF the old
man could be c e coming along be-
hind.
"Holton. come here" said Lakeland.
As the old man advanced toward him.
the Indians were ordered across the
river on the ice.
What dye want. Mr.. Lacklandt"
-Your mistress sen for you 10 go
back Il meet Miss Willis"