New-York tribune., 1909-09-12

sight-and the convict's breath came quickly
as he waited
Van dismounted from his pony,s back and
picked up one Of his hoofs. Worn down
pretty fiat, he told the animal Perhaps if
walk we can make it He started on foot up
the tlnkling way watching the bronco with
solicitude.
Suvv followed obedientIv; but the pointed
rocks played havoc with his feet. He lurched
in attempting to right his foot on one that
turned and the long lasso secured 10 the sad
die Topped out, fell back, and made him lump.
Van halted as before. Barger was barely fifty
yards away. His pistol was leveed; but he
waited tor deadl1er ann, a shorter shot
Nope, Wei have to climb the hill Van
decided reluctantly. - You're a friend of mine.
Suvy, and even If YOU weren't you'd have 10
last to get back. He turned his back on death
unwIttInglv to spare the horse he loved.
Delayed no less than an hour by this en-
forced retreat, he patiently led the bronco back
10 the opening OF the pass, and, still on foot,
went ON the steep way up over the mountain.
Bargcr rose and cursed himself for not hay
ing rlSked a shot He dared not attempt a
dash upon his man. he could not know where
Van might again bc intercepted; he was help
less. battied enraged. Half starved. keenlv
alive only IN hIS instinct u accomplish his re-
Vengc- the creature was more like hunted
animal than like man He had sworn To-
even the score with Van Burcn, he was not
10 be detected from his course. But 10 get
his man here was longer possible The
horse Beth had lost, now in the convicts pos
session. was all but tamlShed for water. not
10 mention food. There was nothing 10 choose
but retreat toward the river, 70 the northward
where the mountains might vet afford an am
bush as an was returning home
FAR away in the mountains. at the Laughing
Water claim, where the sun was setting on
a scene of labor all but concluded for the dav
the group OF surveyors, with Lawrence IN
charge appeared along the southern ridge
(,tAtf eitrrtr II
IN the water by the sluices. They We're grimed
soIled with perspiratIon, wearied bv the long
hard day of toll Shovel in hand old Gettvs-
burg discovered the men with an instrument
VINO trekked along the outside edge of the
claim Chairman, rodman. and Lawrence with
ms SHINING theOdOhte set on its three slender
legs they were silhouetted sharply against
the evening sky Their movements and their
presence here were beyond the partners com
prehenSIOn.
1t was Gettysburg who slowly climbed the
slope and anchored himself in their path
W nat YOU dom he SAID To the rodman
presently when that tired individual ap-
preached and continued on his wav
W hat does 1t look like PLAYING checkers,''
sald the man. Can't the Government do
nothing, run county line ner nothin', with
ouI everybody sitting up to notice."
No less than fifty men they had met that
DAY had questioned what the Government was
dong The county line suggestion had been
the only hint vouchSated. and that had sutticed
10 alav the keeneSt suspicion
That all SAID Gcttvsburg and watching
as he went. he slowly returned to his partners
The explanation was ample. The SURVEYORS
proceeded on.
MEANTIME, in absolute ignorance of all
that was happening on his property. Van
continued toward Starlight unmolrSted An
hour after sundown he rode into the clrnp. IN
CURED ms way TO the rough board shack where
Kent was living ILL., and was met at the door bv
a stranger, whom Glen had employed as cook
and general nurse
BoStwlck was there. He remained unseen
ms Instructions Were imperative. and the nurse
had no choice but to obey
OF course Kents here. he admitted in
response 10 Vans first question He can't
see no one neither, no matter who it is
We brought a letter from his sister" Van
explained. He's got to have it. and have it
now If he wishes To send any answer back.
m here to take it
The nurse looked him over. "The orders
from the doctor is no visitors. he sad .,Di
that goes; IT. YOU want TO leave the letter,
Van produced the letter If the man., as
nj as that; have no desire to butt in for an
interview, he said. "Obhge me bv tindins, ONT
as soon as possible whether may b,. of Srr,i.,.