Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-02-15
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The Island Win a Mystery.

WobAu rue 10 tue summit OF InlS one
bum, and that It should be the last.
But he had said the same thing many
times since striking the barren Hill re-
gion thanking both sides of the river
Hump after hump had been surmount.
ed since the sound OF the first prom
Use had uckled the ears OF the tired
oroncho. humps az alike as the two
humps OF Bactrian camel. the moaot-
onoUs continuity Of which might very
well have confused the mind OF one
less at home on these ranges than
George Wilhston. Even he. riding a
blind trail since sun-up. sitting his
saddle with a heavy Indifference born
OF heat and fatigue. began 20 think il
nj ght be that they were describing a
circle and the sun was playing them
strange tricks. Still, he urged his pony
TO one more effort, Just so much
farther and they would retrace their
steps. giving up FOR this day at least
the locating Of a small bunch of cat
tie. branded lazy s, missing these
three days
had not untOward circumstances
interviewed. he might stiu have gone
blindly on; for, laying aside the gam
bling fever that was on him. he could
III AFFORD to lose the ten or twelve
steers somewhere wandering the wide
range or huddled into some safe place.
there 20 abide the time when 4 daring
rustler might conveniently plav at
Witchcraft with The brand or other
wise dispose OF them with profit TO
himself and with credit 90 his craft
Moreover what misht possibly never
have been missed from the vast herds
Of Langford. his neighbor OF the plains
country, was Of most serious import
20 Wiliston.
Devil take You. Battle AK. but
you're slow" muttered WuHston. I'D
give good deal 20 sit down this min
ute TO some Of my little girls flap
Jacks and coffee. But nothing for us.
lazy-boues. TIL midnieht-or morning.
more likely. DO walk up as ~ YOU had
some little standing in the world OF
COW ponies. You haven't. OF surety.
but you might make an effort All
things are possible 20 him who tries.
you know. which Is a tremendous lie.
Of course. But perhaps IL doesn't APP
ply TO poor devils like us who are
has beens.' Here we are. All"
There were no more hills. Almost
directly az his feet was one OF those
PERCEPTIONS getaways that character
lie the border bluffs Of the Missouri
river. A few more steps. in the dark.
and horse and rider would have plung-
ed over sheer wall OF nearly 200
feet. AS IL was, Wilhston gave a gasp
OF involuntary horror which almost
simultaneously gave place 10 one OF
wonder and establishment He had
struck the river AZ a point absolutely
new 90 him. IL was the time o. low
water. and the river. I'm most OF its
phases muddy and sunenlooking.
cleaned silver and gold with the gilt
ter OF the setting sun. making a royal
highway 10 the dweling-place OF
Phoebus. A little 10 the north OF this
sparkling highroad lay what would
have been an island In high water.
hickly wooded with willows and cot
tonwoods. Now a long stretch OF sand
reached between blum and island.
Dismounung. with the quick thought
that yonder island might hold the Sc
cret OF his lost cattle. he crept as
close 20 the edge as he dared The
49, vas HAANNA tAAAA A4AANs AANlEElN Qf.-
void OF shrubbery by means Of which
one might hazard a descent The sand
bed began Immediately at the foot OF
the yellow wall Even though one
managed 20 gain the bottom. one
would hardly dare risk the deceitful
sands. ever shifting. fair and treach-
erous. Bafned. he was on the point OF
remounting 10 retrace his steps when
he dropped his foot from the stirrup
amazed. Was the day Of miracles not
yet passed?
IL was the sun. or course. Twelve
hours OF sun in the eyes could play
strange tricks aud might even cause
a dancing black speck 70 assume the
semblance OF man on horseback
picking his way easily, though may
hap a bit warily, across the waste OF
sand lie seemed 20 have sprung from
the very bowels OF the blum Whence
else? Many a rod beyond and above
the ghostly figure frowned the tawny.
wicked cut-away. Path for neither
horse nor man appeared so far as eve
could reach. II must be the sun. But
It was not the sun.
Motionless. intent. a figure cast in
bronze as the sun went down. the lean
ranchman gaZed steadfastly down
upon the miniature man and horse
creeping along so far below. Not IN
til the object OF his fixed gaze had
been swallowed by the trees and I'M
derorush did his muscles relax. This
man had ridden as II unafraid.
What man has done. man can do"
ran swiftly through Willston's brain.
and with no idea OF abandoning his
search until he had probed the mys-
terry. he mounted and rode northward.
closely Nexamining the edge of the
precipice as he went along for any
evidence of possible descent. Pres
emily he came upon a cross ravine. de-
void of shrubbery. too steep for a /
horse, but presenting possibilities for /
q man. With unerring instinct he fol /
lowed the cross-cut westward. Soon |
a scattering OF scrub oaks began to |
appear. and sumach already streaked |
with crimson. A little farther and the |
trees began TO show sniraI vvroatbs 81 i