Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1904-12-02

Esquimeaux was engaged to taks
them several miles on his dog sleds
and from there they travelled on foot
sleeping on the snow securely wrap
ped in their blankets
On the morning Of the third day
they came upon the trail Of these men
and followed it until nightfall Next
morning they were early on their trail
again, and after four hours hard
travel Glum Ralston said:
There they are. Crack LASH"
He pointed down q narrow valley
which diyerged from the main valley,
and three spects could be seen upon q
slight elevation
Glum Ralstcn was an experienced
scout, and began at once to put In
play his woodcraft. They crept for
ward to some trees ana advanced rap
idly, keeping themselves screened
from the observation OF the men they
were trying to overhaul
Night fell again without coming up
with them, but a gIinmer far up the
mcuntain-side told them they had
camped there. The pursuers slept
ard rested few hours and then again
started on the trail
At last they came In sight of the
three men not over two hundred
PAGES away. Raising their rifles. they
shouted to them to halt The fugitives
cast quick glances behind, and then.
with defiant yells, ned-
Two darted around one side Of
huge, projecting cliff that formed the
extreme spur OF the mountain, and one
went the other way. Two rife shots
rang out on the mountain, and two
bullets whizxed through the air.
"Ye winged yer man, Crack LASH"
cried Glum- Follow him and III give
chase to the otherA"
Paul needed no second command,
but darted after the man at whom he
had fred. The fugitive threw away
his gun and ned for life. and for an
hour Paul was in doubt whether he
was gaining or him or not At the end
Of that time. to his great chagrin, he
saw him cash into q thick forest Of
pines and snrs.
When next he saw him he was
creeping along . ledge five hundred
feet above him With no other thought
than the capture of the fugitive and
OF his treasure. Paul threw
1ff his snowshoes and clambered up
he steep precipice with great labor
and no little danger. Up he went,
needless of everything but the solu-
ion of the mystery which threatened
lis life and happiness Of himself and
laura He reached the fork and be-
gan to climb the great dead limb Of
rec which touched the coveted ledge
1t that moment he heard cracking
It the root OF the tree and became
conscious OF descending motion in
he limbs to which ke chung
He knew he was falling. and that
With the vast mass he must descend /
INTO the valley beneath. He left him
elf rushing downward through the
ir; he closed his eyes; there came
orrid crash on his ears, and he knew
% more
When Paul regained consciousness
g was lying on q pile Of skins and
1rs in a cavern
A man clothed wholly In bear and
cal skins stood over him. gazing at
i'm with pair Of strange gray eyes,
lis hair was long. falling to his shout
ers, and his beard. which was almost
'hite, came to his waist He had .
alf-savage and half-civilized appear
ace.
Paul gazed into the strange. Wild
zee and asked:
who are you!"
The stranger. without taking his
res on him, asked:
who are your"
Il am a miner from the Klondike
no was robbed l was in pursuit of
e robbers when the accident befell
e. You found met"
Yes"
Paul at first supposed that some Of
. limbs were broken or dislocated.
ID dared not move, but after = few
oments he discovered that he had
fered no greater injury than . So
re shock. He had fallen into a deep /,
owdrift, which had broken the fall
d no doubt saved his life.
Wont you tell me who you are!"
ked Paul after few minutes gazing
TO the face of the mysterious :
anger. The man turned away for q :,
m, ont &c ~ he u-fSlod m avoid tho q
swer and then slowly turning back ;.
swered:
Il am a hermit: will that suflce!"
DO you live here?" Paul asked.
Yes"
How long have you lived In this f,
'untain?" ;.
Then car longer silence than ;,