Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-06
Chapter XVIII.

Chapter XVIII.
After this Jim often met Nat-u-ritch. On
his trail across the country he would see
her her little pony gallopng after him.
Sometimes she would join him and silently
accompany him on his search for the cattle
that had strayed beyond the range.
Nat-u-rtch's life with her father. Taby-
wanna, was passed in days OF uneventful
placidness. Since the death of Cash Haw-
kins the chief had given her no cause for
anxiety. Concerning the murder. neither
she nor her father spoke. Tabywana ad-
mired Jim Carston: he seemed to reaize
instinctively what Jim had saved him from
that day at the saloon, and his unSpoken
devotion. sincere and steadfast. often
caused him to serve Jim without any one
knowledge
Sometimes when Nat-u-ritch returned
from a long days ride her father would
scrutinze her, and as he read in her Inc
call of her nature for the Englishman, a
curious smile would light up his race IN
sympathy with her. He saw the unmoved
impaSsiveneSS that she showed to all the
young bucks that sought her. and without
protest let her go her way. and her trail
always led toward Carston's ranch.
Winter came with Its treacherous Winds
and Carston's ranch was more desoate'
OF Nat-u-ritch's unspoker devotion to him
there was no doubt in Jm's mind. and the
tempta ton to take her proffered compan-
ionship into his lonely life rose strong
within him.
After Cash Hawkins death, Jim, had he
cared for the life. might have been leader
in the Long Horn saloon. but a bar-room
hero was not the role that he wished TO
play. His own men-Grouchy. Andy and
Shorty-openly expressed their disappont-
ment to Big Bill at the boss indifference TO
the position he might exert as power IN
Maverick and even Big Bill only vaguely
understood Jim's unappreciative attitude,
He often watched Jim smoking his pipe
and peering into the heart of the emberS
that glowed on the hearth. and as he saw
the careworn face Bills great heart ached
with sympathy for him. But Jim. as ne
realized the difficulties of the fight in which
he was involved, only clnched his fists the
tighter and accomplished the work OF
three men in his days toll.
At these times the physical drain on him
was 50 great that there was no opportunity
left in which to realize the biting ache or
his loneliness. So one bleak day succeeded
another. with the slim. mute figure of the
Indian girl ever crossing his path.
The early spring brought with 1t sudden
melting of the snow-capped hills and the
Recovered pools. The cattle grew more
troublesome. They semeed harder to control,
or else the boys were more indifferent to
their disappearance. Big Bill had gone
away on a deal for new cattle. so jim s
energies We're redoubled.
One day as he rode across the plains
searching for a lost herd that had wandered
toward Jackson's Hole. the longing that
the awakening spring had brought with 1t
grew more nsistent Life surely held for
him possibilities greater than this, he told
himself He resolved. on Bills return, to
arrange with him to sell the place. He
could not conquer the craving for the old
haunts of civilization that took possession
of him. He closed his eyes to shut out the
endless stretch Of prairie. Lost in his dream
to escape from his lonely life and TO take
part again in the affairs Of men of his own
class he failed to notice the small pony
that followed him carrying Nat-u-ritch.
On he went, absorbed in his thoughts
that he did not notice how close he was to
Jacksons Hole. Big Bill long ago had
warned him of the treacherous ridge that
lay near the guley but Jim had forgotten
Bits words. Unconscious of the danger
ahead, he galoped toward the edge Of the
broken precipice. In the distance lie espied
the marks OF a herd of cattle that had
passed around to the other side of the ridge.
Jim urged his horse forward and started
to jump the small deceptive span that COW
cred the hole A sharp cry came from
Nat u ritch, who had quickly gained ground
on him she saw his intention. But Jim.
unheeding gave a sharp command to his
horse and urged him over. There was
sudden breaking of ground: then a whir
ing, dazed moment through which flashed
an eternity of thought. and Nat ritch
stood alone. clinging to her pony as she
peered over into the dark pool OF broken ice
around which stretched chasms of impene-
trable blackness.
Two weeks later Jim opened his eyes to
consciousness in Nat-u-ritch's wiCkyup No
man of those summoned by Nat-u-ritch to
help had dared venture into the dreaded
abyss, SO Jim had been abandoned dead.
But the depth of her love gave the Indian
girl the strength to accomplish the rescue.
Jealous of her treasure. she dragged the I'M
conscious body to her own village, which
was nearer than Jim'S ranch.
Then followed an Illness from the long
exposure in the gulley. Big Bill returned.
only to find the ranch without its master,
urbi M
the Indian girl fighting to save his life, her
love and loyalty making her his abject
slave.
Weeks followed. and one day Big Bill and
the boys brought the boss home. Then
came relapse and again Nat-uritchs de-
votion and courage gave him back his life.
This time Bill watched a double fight: the
fight on the part of the woman to save the
man so that she might win him for herself,
and on Jims part effort to resist the
mute surrender Of the woman.
Without the boss supervision the ranch
had deteriorated. and Jim's affairs had be-
come so involved that he recovered only to
find that all thought of abandoning the place
was now impossible His dream of escape
was now hope OF the past. AND so life
began afresh for him on the plains
Jim stood outside of the window of an
adobe hut From within he could hear the
low means of a woman and now and then
the wall of a child. He was alone. save for
the missionary who had married him few
months before TO Nat-u-ritch, and who was
now inside helping the sick woman, Big
Bill had gone to fetch an old squaw who
had promised to come to the ranch. As
Jim leaned against the post of the porch he
was stirred by a multitude of emotions. The
walls from within grew louder and more
fretful AS he watched the heavens. abaZe
with a thousand eyes. he wondered why the
old woman had failed to come in time. He
hardly realized what the past hour had
meant to him. \ child had been given to
him, Something of the wonder of the eter-
nal mystery was numbins his spirit The
sick woman's means grew fainter only the
cry of the babe persiStently reached him
At last the missionary came to him; Nat
u-ritch was asleep: he would go, he eK-
planned and hurry along the Indian woman
who was coming with Big Bill to the ranch.
The cry of the child seemed to become
more ptiful. Jim tiptoed to the door Of the
inner room On the cot lay Nat-u-ritch.
He softly crossed to the small bundle of life
rolled in the blanket and lifted 1t in his
arms The warm. appealing little body lay
limp against him. He began swaying to
and fro until the cry grew fainter. Soon
the babe slept: but Jim still stood rocking
his son in his strong arms.
CHAPTER XIX.