Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1906-11-10

him, telegraph there; II the wires ars
down, send amessenger. Do you undar |
standT
You are perfectly lucid"
We'll, good-by."
The snow spurted from under their
horses hoofs as they swung on to the
north road. Then my driver shouted to
his team, and we, too, rushed forward,
but on the other track curving south
and east. For a minute l could hear
their bells tinkling an echo in the dis
lance. Then they died away into ST.
lence.
My interest in the chase suddenly ex-
banded. Now that my cousin had desert
ed me, it seemed an ugly, dangerous
business. Marnac would stop at moth
ing, that was certain. Surprising we
should chance upon this desperate ma
MAC, what then? My driver was arm
ed, and had the appearance of a bold,
courageous man. Was he so in reality?
l stared up at his back and wondered.
We had Travelled the half of a mile,
when from the black of the forest be-
fore us rose a cry, fierce, chuckling
bay that sent the horses pungng across
bound woods it sounded the more threat
ening, the more utterly malignant. l
sprang to my feet, gripping Reski by the
shoulder.
What is that p l cried.
wolves, mein Herr"
"Will they attack us?"
Calm yourself, mein Herr" he an
swered grutfiy, his eyes still set on the
track before him. THE winter is young
and their mouths are not empty.
The pace of the horses had dropped to
a slow trot. They advanced stiffly with
staring eyes and ears pricked forward.
remained standing. peering across the
drivers seat at the white track that ran
dimly away between the banks of pines.
Suddenly from a snow-powdered thick
ct before us there burst a chorus of low
snarls that grew into the short, angry
barks of dogs disturbed. With a jerk
the horses stopped, trembling and squeez-
ing themselves together with the fear
that was on them.
"They have something there" cried
Reski, and there was a shudder in his
voice. Otherwise they would not be 20
bold. Take the reins, mein Herr"
He thrust them into my hands and
jumped from the seat. His pistol fash
ed, and l caught glimpse of forms sour
rying over the snow. Then the darkness
fell again like veil.
what have you found?' l shouted.
"Under the trees it is hard to see. l."
came back his answer. "Perhaps-I was
mistaken. But wait"
He struck match, and his tall, thin
figure sprang out in silhouette as he
moved slowly forward, shielding the light
with his hands.
Here are the footprints of the wolves
it was here that they gathered
There is something by the tree.
1t is not a log-ah, no but it is not
a log, though it lies so still.
fear to approach-how l fear! Have
mercy. 1t is man! 1t is Ivan, my
sonr'
We were on Marnac's trail-the trail
of the dead.
At last it was all over. Alone, for
dared not leave my hold upon the fright
ened horses, Reski carried his son to the
sleigh and laid him there beside me, with
a rug across the face. He had been killed
from behind, poor lad with revolver
shot in the back of his head. He had
refused to proceed, and Marnac had moi
hesitated. That was plain enough.
thanked God that we had been in time
Ito save him from the wolves.
Yet there had been but a short delay
For when Reski had seen his dead be
slowed upon the sleigh, he had takef
the reins and sent his horses forward. HI
did not speak, nor did | offer him con
ISOLATION But as | watched him sitting
above me, peering ahead like some ole
teak figure on a vessels bows, there wa.
a grim intensity about the man, a fxet
resolve that was strange to witness. 81
we fled through the night, down thu
interminable avenues Of pines, bearing
our dead with us.
1t was one o'clock when We lit upoI
a waysde inn. Our clamor aroused thu
landlord, who directed us to where ket
tie simmering on the stove gave a warn
mash for the horses and hot coffee fo
ourselves. He was sleepily injurious
nor did he inquire what was the thinl
beneath the rugs which we carried witt
us. But he gave us news. Marnac ha,
left there less than two hours before. H
had been greatly delayed by collision
WIFI tree' anu sohe rough repairs ha'
been necessary. One of his horses, toe
had been slightly famed. Yet Resk
showed no unusual interest in the tai
we heard. He spent his time with hi
horses grooming and soothing them.
was not till they had rested three-quar
tiers of an hour that he called me on
from my seat by the stove, and again W
swept away upon the chase.
1t was at dawn that we sighted him
He was climbing long slope, blac
speck in the white riband of a road
Above him, long fakes of orange clou
were slowly Frightening and deepenin