Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-04-05
An Adventure
ia the Canyon
By dsorxs p. Cheney
tCopyrisht.)

among tho stones up Canaan wash.
For two days Summers had ploddcd
on, pursuing his solitary way through
this silent region. He had left the
Colorado river, bound for Escaante,
fearful OF all manner OF disasters on
tho road. II he succeeded In keep.
ing the trnil, his friends told him he
would not find the water-holes If
he discovered the water.holes, they
said, his horse would not pick enough
grass to keep 1t going. II feed was
obtained, they warned him against rat.
slesnnkes. tarantulas. ella monsters,
and the like. And IL he escaped these
reptiles. his associates cautioned him
finally, the desperadoes of the district
would be quito certain to overtake
him.
Had there been fewer or lesser dan
gers no would probably not have un.
dertaken the ride. But with such
formidable array against him the ven
ture became a sort of trial OF the met
tie OF John Summers, government en-.
gineer, and he determined to achieve
It. Tho journey thus far had been 80
oppressively monotonous that the man
was Wishing that something would
turn up" soon.
Yet when. shortly, the catter
ing of horses hoofs over the stones
below him in the rocky wash came to
his ears as no sat resting by a spring
in the midst of n tangle Of cotton
woods and willows. nll his desire for
adventure forsook him. He remounted
and made up the canyon nj his best
speed
Horses suggested men and men sug.
Eested outlaws IN southern central
utnh ut that day, And outlaws were
exactly what the engineer did not
care to encounter. For decade the
dlstrlc' has passed ms "Robbers'
Roost," and the gangs that 10 long
found retreat in It's mazes have only
In latest years boon generally routed
John Summers pressed on for half
! IAN hour, cogitatlng on the situation.
and arrived Mt these conclusions.
First, 1t would be eminently proper
that he learn who constituted the
party behind; second. should they
prove to be outlaws he would stand
small chance OF escaping by running
Coming now to fork OF the can.
yon which lent itself admirably TO his
purposes. the traveller formed plan
Tor an investigation. lie led his horse out
OF the dry trail and up the other rocky
wash. The footing was over hard
shiny stones, and no trace was left
Summers thought, OF the course he
had taken. a little higher up, level
floor of the chasm was overgrown
with a dense thicket of plnons and
scruh.cedars. Hidden away here, the
horse was tied. and the rider glIded
back toward the trail.
Not for an instant did lie show him.
Belf, but, sheltered by one rock or tree
after another he warily wormcd his
way along. Seventy-tlve yards from
the main path he crawled into sultry
rock cleft. we'll up from the bottom of
the channel. There, perfectly ne
creted and making himself as comfort.
able as he might. he awaited his fol.
lowers.
Before long man appeared round
q tawny rock 200 yards below. Two
others followed, and advanced until
they were near Summers. They wore
pistols and each carried q rife.
John Summers sat and wondered.
How any one had learned that 1t was
worth while to follow him was q ques.
ton he could not answer.
As he waited he framed I'M n plan
of defense. The more he thought OF
the complacent assurance of the lead.
er of the pursuing party. the more he
was certain it was impudence that
should be rebuked.
All three men progressed slowly
with great caution. pausing fire..
quently when the trail seemed dim.
and not advancing until the next sign
was discovered farther on. With three
minutes scrambling. the trio were
brought opposite John Summers
hiding place. His carbine. lying on
the rock, commanded the foremost
aR his voice rang out:
Hands up!"
The leader looked In the direction
or the summons. fingered his gun.
and ended with elevating both arms
without unnecessary delay. The large
mar and the guide followed the OK.
ample of their captain. The engln.
GERS second command was delivered
almost instantaneously:
Face this way. Be careful not to
make any awkward movements: we
don't like 'em. Now just pitch your
guns up the bank toward us. Let
'em come 20 feet at least"
Three rifles were hurled up the
slope, fell. slid to anchorage ON the
rocks, and were safe.
Then there happened surpris.
ing thing In the rock embrasure
II rauatnn haWtIdarp,art ~ a.