The Falls City tribune., 1908-12-18
CHApTER ".
A Journey in Desolation.

A ORNlNG was well advanced
~ and the sun beat down upon
the three with almost over
towering f%ierceness. The heat would
have rendered their thirst uncomfortable
had not Blake hacked off for them bit
after bit of the moist coryphene flesh.
In a temperate climate ten miles
over firm ground is a pleasant walk
for n accustomed to the exercise.
Quite a different matter is ten miles
across mud-fats, covered with a tan
gle of reeds and rushes, and frequently
dipping into salt marsh and ooze. Be-
fore they had gone a mile Miss Leslie
would have lost her slippers had it
not been for Blake's forethought in
tying them so securely. Within a lit
lie more than three miles the girls
strength began to fail.
"Oh, Blake" called Winthrope, for
the American was some yards in the
lead. pull up a bit on that knoll Well
have to rest a while, l fancy. Miss
Leslie is about pegged."
What's that?" demanded Blake.
Were not halfway yeti"
Winthrope did not reply. 1t was all
he could do to drag the girl up on the
hummock. She sank, half-fainting,
upon the dry reeds, and he sat down
beside her to protect her with the
shade. Blake stared at the miles
CT swampy flats which yet lay between
them and the out-jutting headland of
gray rock. The base of the cliff was
screened by a belt of trees; but the
nearest clump of green did not look
more than a mile nearer than the
headland.
He'll" muttered Blake, respondent
ly, Not even a short four miles.
MUsh and sassiety girlsi"
. Though he spoke to himself the
others heard him. Miss Leslie flushed
and would have risen had moi Win.
tbrope put his hand on her arm.
Gould you not go OF and bring
back a flask of water for Miss Leslie ?'
he asked. "By that time she will be
rested"
No; I don't fetch back any TASKS
OF water. She's going when l go, or
you a come IN to suit yourselves"
MI. Blake, you-you won't go and
leave me here! If you have a sister
If your mother"
She died of drink, and both my
sisters did worse"
My God. man, do you mean to say
you'll abandon a helpless young girl?"
Not a bit more helpless than were
my sisters when you rich folks guar
dians Of law and order jagged me for
The winter cause | didn't have a job
and turned both girls into the street
onto the street, if you know what
that means-one only 16 and the other
n. Talk about helpless young girls
Damnationi"
Miss Leslie cringed back as though
she had been struck. Blake, however,
seemed to have vented his anger in
the curse, for when he again spoke
there was nothing more than impa-
thence in his tone. Come on, now;
get aboard. Winthrope couldn't lug
you a half-mile, and longs it's the
only way don't be all day about It.
Here, WINTHROP, look to the fish"
But, my dear fellow, I don't quite
take your idea, nor does Miss Leslie,
fancy" ventured Winthrope.
Well, we've got to get to water or
die; and as the lady can't walk she's
going on my back. It's a case of
have-to."
No, | am mott am not! I'd sooner
de"
I'm afraid you'll find that easy
enough later on, Miss Jenny. Stand
by, Winthrope, to help her up. Do
you hear? Take the knife and fish and
lend a hand"
There was a note in Blake's voice
that neither Winthrope nor Miss Les
lie dared disregard. Though scarlet
with modification, she permitted her
sclf to be taken pick-a-back upon
Flakes broad shoulders and meekly
obeyed his command to clasp her
hands about his throat. Yet even at
that moment. such are the |inconsis-
tencies of human nature, she could not
but admire the ease with which he
rose under her we, cht.
Now that he no longer had the slow
pace of the girl to consider, he ad
Fanced at his natural gait, the quick
t~ireless stride Of an American railroad
surveyor. His feet, trained to swami
travel In Louisiana and Panama
seemed to find the irmest ground a.
by instinct. and whether on the half