The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-10-12
CHAPTER v.

CHAPTER v.
The Avengins Angels.
A LII night their curse lay through
"a intricate defles and over irregu-
lar and rock-strewn paths. More
than once they lost their way, but
Hopes intimate knowledge of the
mountains enabled them to regain the
track once more. When morning broke,
a scene of marvellous though savage
beauty lay before them. In every di-
rection the great snow-capped peaks
hemmed them in. peeping over one an
others shoulders to the far horizon.
So steep were the rocky banks ON
either side of them that the larch ard
the pine seemed to be suspended over
their heads, n to need only u gust
of wind to come hurting down upoa
them. MOI was the fear entirely an
illusion. for the barren valley was
thickly strewn with trees and powders
which had fallen IN a similar manner.
Even as they passed, a great ro-iS
came laundering down with a hoarse
rattle which woke the echoes in the
silent gorges, and startled the weary
horses into a gallop.
AS the sun rose slowly above tie
eastern horizon, the caps of the great
mountains lighted up one after the
other. like lamps at a festival, until
they were ell rudy and glowing. The
magnificent spectacle cheered the
hearts of the three fugitives and gave
them fresh energy. At a wild torrent
which swept out of a ravine they called
a halt and watered their horses, while
they partook of a hasty breakfast.
Lucy and her father would fain have
rested longer. but Jefferson Hope was
memorable.
'"They will be Upon our track by this
time" he said. Everything depends
upon our speed. Once safe In Carson.
we may rest for the remainder Of or
lives"
During the whole of that day they
struggled on through the defles, ana
by evening they calculated that they
were over thirty miles from their ere
mics. At nighttime they chose the base
of a beetling crag, where the rocks
offered some protection from the chill
wind, and there, huddled together for
warmth, they enjoyed a few hours
sleep. Before daybreak. however, thsy
were up and on their way once more.
They had seen no signs of IN pur-
suers, and jefferson Hope began 20
! think that they were fairly out of the
reach of the terrible organization
whose enmity they had incurred. He
little knew how far that iron grasp
could reach, or how soon it was 10
close upon them and crush them.
About the middle of the second day
Of their flight their scanty store OF
provisions began to run out. This
gave the hunter little uneasiness, how
ever, for there was game to be had
among the mountains, and he had fire.
quently before had to depend upon his
rifle for the needs of life. Choosing a
sheltered nook, he piled together a few
dry branches and made a blazing fire,
at which his companions might warm
themselves, for they were now nearly
five thousand feet above the s~ea-levei,
and the air was bitter and keen. Hav-
ing tethered the horses and bid Lucy
adieu, he threw his gun over his
shoulder, and set out in search of what
ever chance might throw in his way.
Looking back, he saw the old man and
the young girl crouching over the
blazing fire, while the three animals
stood motionless in the background.
Then the intervening rocks hid them
from his view.
L hotNOu !" ~ NpatAR - NF
through one ravine after another with-
out success. though from the marks
upon the bark of the trees. and other
indications. he judged that there were
numerous bears in the vicinity. At
last, after W. or three hours frultless
search. he was thinking of turning
back in despair, when casting his eyes
upward he saw q sight which sent a
thrill of pleasure through his heart,
ON the edge of a jutting pinnacle, three
or -four hundred feet above him, there
stood a creature somewhat resembling
a sheep in appearance, but armed with
a pair of gigantic horns. The big-horn
for so IL is called-was acting, prob
ably, as a guardian over a flock which
were invisible to the hunter; but for
~tunately it was heading in the opposite
direction, and had not perceived him.
Lying on his back, he rested his rife
upon a rock, and took a long and steady
aim before drawing the trigger. The
animal sprang into the air. tottered for
a moment upon the edge of the preci-
pice, and then came crashing down
into the valley beneath.