The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1909-04-07

The path separated dividing fanlike into a
dozen other paths, perplexing divergent Unhesi-
tatng, the Cricket chose and the file followed
after The new path bore off obliquely; the other
paths, on right and left, speedily were lost With
enormous strides, sprawling the ground like
some gigantic twolegged tarantula the Cricket
pushed reentlessy ahead, rise and decline
and rise again, into hollow and out mindne NOT
how Jared the followers his energy as predictions
as it was merciless.
The way continued to ascend; few cedars
could be noted The path divided again and vet
again; wherever the rendezvous it was cunninglv
protected The fool often shifted his cloak from
arm to arm, and thence to shoulder; it was be-
coming burden The kings breath passed in
and out with wheeZe, through his dry throat
The horse stumbled and snorted his disannroval
of the steady eXertion.
Another STEP and I'll BURST" grunted Fritz, in
grumbling protest; and he abruptly threw himseIf
down beside the way.
The fool and the king and Jasper behind sank
with one mutual sigh of relief. The Cricket stop
ped and grinned upon them, and hawll-nose stood
Impatient like a sentinel. in the rear.
up he spake, presently.
THE march was resumed. The cedars, bushy
and low, WaXed more numerous, and the spruces
were not so large The ground was covered with
running vine, the Stecsin arbutus which grows
at an altitude of not less than eight thousand feet
The trail was exceedingly obscure frequently it
traversed patches of finty pebbles where ii left
no trace; but the Cricket, bearing off at an acute
angle, unerringy struck right, at the far side
marge
- suddenly, IN little park, or clearing, amidst
the trees, he paused and waved his hat thrice, as
IT IN signal to eyes unseen.
He proceeded. Twice the trail crossed a shall
loW dashlng stream, the water thereof icy-cold
boulder-streWn The last ford half an hour
behind, when without premonitory sign athwart
the way opened gorge, GRIM sheer uncompromis-
ing, its cleft lips stretching upon either hand as
TAR as could be made out but spanned at this sin
gle point by narrow bridge of two trees felled,
laid side by side. Two hundred feet down flowed
gl, wifi S1ip fhraa
ing murmur, brown torrent, pouring it's CLASSY
flood between the imprisoning walls
Slackenlng not, on over the narrow bridge wad.
died the Cricket. Followed Fritz and with
snort, stepping hastily, the horse. The queen ut.
tered little cry Of dread.
Hold FAST. painted the fool
The Cricket gave cackling chuckle There was
no stopping. The party passed over. TRAIL
clearly defined, now led straight up a steep guch
adown the middle of which tricked a pretty
stream The TANKS of the gulch rocky and thinly
timbered, bore sharply upward until merged with
the plateau, or tabe-land. which upon either side
rose from the gorge's very edge
The ascent the most toilsome vet: ieste,
and king gasped, and the humping of their hearth,
shook their bodies. But the Cricket inadvertently
paused not From the feet of the climbers sundry
stones dislodged rolled back with a clatter
THE top was reached Before, now lay level
area, somewhat depressed and grassy and mead
ow-lille; toward the upper end of it were a half
score OF cabins. On right and on left was the
tableland, with scattering of timber and much
rock; for background rose ordly mountain
rugged, lowering, its base dark green with foliage
its crest snoW-mned.
Fritz let drop thankful oath. The horse whin
MED, and was cursed therefore The cabins
seemed deserted, but the Cricket confidently con-
tnued ahead until, upon the edge of the settle
ment he stopped short, and with grin glanced
from face to face along the line behind His eyes
rested upon hawknose, if awaiting further in
structions
The FOOLS once blithe blue was mould-staned
torn, and splashed with fording. The kings brown
was as hardly used, although not so pronounced
King and fool waited, with knees that cuiyered
with fatigue, while the horse stood with drooping
head. Suddenly the queen sighed swayed and
pitched sideways from the saddle The Jester
started, but the king was quicker and caught her
in his arms. She had tainted
Holding her. the king noted, all together the
plteous rents in the domino the loosened hair
rudely combed by the forest fingers the red
SCRATCH acroSS the soft chaek ~.