The Monte Vista journal. (Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, Colo.) 1888-1921, 1909-09-11

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 half-mile. and longs it's the
only way don't be all day about 1t.
Here. Winthrope. look to the fish,"
But. my dear fellow, don't quite
take your idea. nor does Miss Leslie. l
fancy" ventured Winthrope.
well. we've got 10 get to water or
die: and as the lady can't walk she's
going on my back. It's case Of
have-to."
mo! am not-I am not! I'd sooner
die!"
I'm afraid you'll find that easy
enough later ON. Miss Jenny. Stand
by. Winthrope. to help her up. Do
ysu hear? Take the knife and fish and
lend hand"
There was . note in Blake's voice
that neither Winthrope nor Miss Les
Me dared disregard. Though scarlet
with modification. she permitted her
self to be taken pick-a-back upon
Blake's broad shoulders and meekly
obeyed his command to clasp her
hands about Ills 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 weight.
Now that he no longer had the slow
pace OF the girl TO consider. he ad-
vanced at his natural gait, the quick.
tireless stride OF an American railroad
surveyor. His feet, trained to swamp
travel in Louisiana and Panama,
seemed to find the firmest ground A.
by instinct. and whether on the half
dried mud Of the hummocks or in the
ankle-deep water of the boys. they felt
their way without slip or stumble.
Winthrope. though burdened only
with the half-eaten coryphene. toiled
along behind. greatly troubled by the
mud and the tangled reeds, and now
and then hung down by some unlucky
mlsstcp. His modish suit, already
much damaged by the salt water. was
soon smeared afresh with a coating Of
Kreenish slime. His one consolation
was that Blake. after jecring at his frst
tumble. paid no more attention to
him. On the other hand. he was cut
by the seeming Indifference OF Miss
Leslie. Intent on his own misery. he
failed 10 consider that the girl might
be suffering far greater discomfort and
humiliation.
More than three miles had been GOV.
cred before 4l1ke stopped On . hum
mock. Releasing Miss Leslie. he
stretched out on the dry crest Of the
knoll and called for slice Of the nsh
AZ his urging the others took q few
mouthfuls. although their throats were
20 patched that even the moist Gesh
Afforded scan, relief. Fortunately fol
them all. Blake had been thoroughly
trained 10 endure thirst. He rested
less than ten minutes: then taking
Miss Leslie up again like . rag doll
her swung away at . good pace.
The trees were less than half q
mile dlstan, whea he halted for the
second time. He would have zone e
them withou, pause. though his mus
cles were quivering with exhaustion
had not Miss Leslie chanced TO looh
around and discover that Winthrop<
Was no longer following them. Pa,
the last mile he shad beer lagg!nl
farther and farther behind. and nov
he had suddenly disappeared. AZ ths
girls dismnyod exclamation. Blake ~
leased his hold and she found herself
standing in foot or more Of mud ant
water. The sweat vas streaming
down Blnke's face. A he turnet
around. he wiped Il OF With his shirt
sleeves.
DO yon-can Il BE-. Mr.. Blake. thA
he has had n sunstT0kc!" asked Mis-,
Leslie.
"sunstrokc! No: Ms Just lsit
down. that's all. I thought he hax
more sand-confound HIM"
But the sun ID 70 dreadfully hot
aud have his shade
other pool. No: It's not the sun. I've
half mind to let him iie--thc paper
legged swell. Il would no more thar
square our aboarti.ship accounts"
Surely. you would not do that. Mr.
Blake! II may BE- that he has hur
himself In falling"
In this mud:-bah: hut gucs
I'm In for the pack.mule stunt 81
around. Now. now: don't yowi. Mis-
Jenny. I'm going. Hut you can't 81
p~ct me- to lore the snob."
As he splashed away on tho rctur,
trail. Miss I.rsiie dabbcd 1t her eye