The Lamar register., 1903-09-02
CHAPTER x.
The Rescue.

The arms OF the men were brawny
and strong: Green was light in weight
and 1.-THE as a tiger: the rope ran out
sloly and steadily. slid out and down
over the sharp edge OF the chasm
where the grasses were long and hid
the sharp cut into emptiness. making
a treacherous foothold. Suddenly the
rope stopped running. grew Slack. anu
Green's voice came up in a shout.
Thus silence reigned again save 1or
the rain and wind.
Moments passed; to the girl stand
ing back motionless the moments
seemed like hours. Her eyes ala not
move from the edge where the rope
ran over. Green called again, ana
they began to pull the rope.
Dolores eyes widened as she
watched them; her lips were apart,
flush on her cheeks. The mist grew
more thick and dense, stealing up ana
up until 1t reached the edge OF the
chasm. It stole about the men at
work at the rope and enVeloped them
silently: through its gray folds they
looked like spectcrs at work FOR all
eternity. with set faces. pulling the
rope Ia and In.
The rope came up steadily and slow
and sure, then Green spoke from Just
below the surface.
"Stop; some of you give me hand
here. Careful. He Is insensible.
They obeyed him without word. A
terror was on Dolores face; she did
not move; her fingers were twisted
tightly together; her lips we're com
pressed In straight red line.
The men were slow and carefuli 1t
was no light thing to lean over the
edge of the chasm: the treacherous
edge hidden in sedge might give way
at any moment, but the hands OF the
men were slow and steady; they
obeyed Green's commands as though
they were powerless OF self-thought.
They had Johnson mp on firm ground
and Green after him: they laid the
fnsensible man on the ground with
coats for pillows; they forced some
cider between his teeth and chafed
his brawny hands tenderly as wo'
man would. Two Of them cut down
couple OF sapiings and topped OF the
branches. making the body smooth;
these they bound together with two
cross pieces: they crossed the rope
in a network back and forth. No
words were uttered: they worked in
silence with q grimness that was al
most terrible to the watching girl.
The rain was falling steadily now.
and dripped through the branches.
falling on Johnson's face. His hands
0Ip a
opened his eyes and looked vacantly
about him: they were hollow eyes and
hungry: lie recognized no one. Dolo-
res came up shyly. offering no word
OF sympathy. and with a moan John
son closed his eyes again.
1--WE must get him home as soon as
possible" Green said. gravely. his
eyes on the face of the girl standing
silently beside her father. He has
been without food since the day be-
fore yesterday. He lost his way. and
fell In the night when he was trying
to find his way back after hunting the
COW. He has been lying there on that
ledge ever since too weak to make
doubtless saving his life. for the ledge
would stand little motion"
He did not add that Johnson had
broken both of his legs In the fall,
and doubtless received internal In
turles that must prove serious II not
fatal. Dolores eyes were on his. and
he could not tell the whole of what
might come.
When they had placed Johnson on
the litter as comfortably as possible
Lodie offered his coat to Dolores In
q short word or two and no change OF
face. but the girl shook her head,
without speaking. though she gave
him one of her rare smiles. and
walked steadily down the path tangled
,n the treacherous bushes. half hidden