The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1904-12-02

shouted 10 them 70 halt The fugltlve'
cast quick rlances behind, and hoh'
with defiant yolls fed.
Two daucd around one side OF
huge. projecting elm that formed tno
extreme spur OF the mountain ana one
went the other way. Two rife shots
rang ont ON the mountain. and Two
bullets wh.zzad through the air.
"Yo winged yer man. Crack LASH
cried Gum Follow him aud III give
chase 20 the others"
Paul needed no second command
hut darted after the man at whom ne
had fred Tho fugitive threw away
his gun and fed for life. and for an
hour Paul was Ia doubt whether nc
was gaining or him or not AZ the end
OF that time. 60 his great chagrin. he
saw him cash into a thick forest OF
pines and irs.
When next he saw him he was
creeping along a ledge 1--WE hundred
feet above him. with no other thought
than the capture Of the fugitive and
recovery OF his treasure. Paul throw
on his snowshocs and clambored up
the steep preclpice with great labor
and no little danger. Up he went
needless Of everything but the solu'
ton Of the mystery which threatened
his life and happiness Of himself and
Laura. lie reached the fork and be
gan to climb the great dead limb OF a
tree which touched tho coveted ledge.
Al that moment he heard n cracking
at the root Of the tree and became
conscious Of descending motion In
the limbs to which he chung.
lie knew he was falling and that
with the vast mass he must descend
into the valley beneath. lie left him.
self rushing downward through the
air; he closed his eyes: there came n
horrid crash on his ears. and he knew
no more.
When Paul regaincd consciousness
he was lying on a pile OF skins and
furs In a cavern.
A man clothed wholly In bear and
seal skins stood over him. gazing at
him with n pair OF strange gray eyes.
His hair was long. falling to his shoul.
ders. and his beard. which was almost
white. came 10 his waist lie had a
halfsayago and half.ciyillzed appear.
ance.
Paul gazcd into tho strange. Wild
face and asked:
who are your"
The stranger. without taking bis
eyes on him. asked:
who are your"
Il am a miner from the Klondlke
who was robbed. ! was In pursuit Of
the robbers when tho accident bofell
me. You found mo7"
yes"
Paul at hrst supposed that some Of
his limbs were broken or dislocatcd
and dared not move. but after a few
moments he discovered that he had
suffered no greater injury than a 80
we're shock. He had fallen into a deer
snowdrift. which had broken the fall
and no doubt saved his life.
Wont you tell me who you are1'
asked Paul after a few minutoS' gazlnI
into the face OF the m. 'itorioui
stranger. The man turned away for I
moment as II he wished TO avoid IN,
answer and then slowly turning bael
answered.
II am a hermit; will that suffce9"
"Do you live here7" Paul asked.
"Yes."
How Icing have you lived In thl
mountain"
Then came a longer silence thai
usual, when the hermit OF the cav
answered:
what difference can that make 4
your ! found you In a perishing con
dltlcn and brought you here an,
saved your life. ls that not enougl
without telling all the secrets o. m,
lfe2' lie turned slowly about an
went TO n small IRE that smoldered OF
the stones scmo distance away. an
began TO toast some slices OF moos
steak Paul closed his eyes and trle
to reason that he could be In no lmmC
diate danger. II the man had intend
cd to Kill him. he would no doubt hav
done 80 while he was unconscious. II
also reasoned he might have som
design In saving his life.