The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1909-05-21


safety.
Several weeks passed and none OF
the men. whose leader had been
killed, returned and the little valley
was one Of peace and sol tude. The
ranchers' smoke houses were filled
with venison. Winter W as fast APP
preaching and the days were clear
and cold. Several famili es had set
tied in the little valley, W hich was
help in protection against both
cougars and thieves.
One day number of men with
Anderson and Gibson, W ere crossing
the spur Of the mountain which sep
arated Gibson's and Anderson
cabins, Anderson saw man stealth
lily creeping toward Gibson's stable,
then another and still OF hers, num-
bering FIVE in all.
CHAPTER III.
Just at this moment Anderson
heard the wind rising and looked up
to see the trees waving violently.
A strange stufy odor seemed to
fill the air, making it difficult to
breath. Anderson's brain worked
but slowly. He was con scious that
the others we're leaving him, but
cared not; he only wishe ID to be left
alone. He seated himself on the
ground by tree and Immediately
fell asleep. He was awakened by
something extremely cold touching
his face.
He started to his feet and stared
around. His clothes were wet and
it was raining slightly. The sky was
overcast with thick black clouds
through which the sun shone bu,
dimly. Suddenly he heard a sound
behind him and looked around tc
ascertain the cause. He was amazed
to see footprints forming in the soft
soil as though someone were walking
from him, but no one was to be seen
| A strange dread seized him ant
he began to run, he knew not. carec
not, where. He saw nothing aheao
of him as he ran and took no accoun
!of time or distance. At length h,
began to regain his reaso IN and founo
himself in a log cabin which seemed
ito grow narrower and narrower
When the space in which he wa
standing was scarcely four feet wild,
Anderson. realized that he must max,
his escape or die, but he seemed
powerless to move. He stood il
mortal terror listening to the groan
and shrieks which seemed to com
from the ground and walls, expect
ing to be crushed the next instant
but suddenly the walls stood still ant
it began to rain or rather it scenes
} as ifthe, ocean were pour ed down al
at once, tightening and thunder &C
companying the rain. Each peal c
thunder was louder and more terrifi
than the one before. The cabin be
gan to shake and totter, side fe
out and Anderson regained hi
, power to move. He rushed out int
the storm only to stick in the mud
The storm ended as suddenly as
had begun and he would fain hav
pulled himself out of the mud but h
was once more powerles IS to move
He looked at the sky, It was clea
and the stars were shining. H
looked at the ground. il was as dr.
as if rain had not fallen for months
He pulled his feet out of the dir
which was quite dry, but he was ur
able to move from the sp ot.
He heard the sound Of horses an
preaching. They came nearer an
nearer. They were calvary fror
the sound, but he could see nothing
The cavalry were followed by bod
Of infantry. They march ed for hour
r in a solid column. At length tn
e army was passed and Anderson fe
, into sleep from which he wa
r awakened by water being dashed i
his face.
v On recovering his sens es he foun,
$ himself lying on cot in Gibson
: cabin. His first words ere, eth
e fight, the men, what do you recko
D they wanted here?"
Il