The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1910-05-10

came leaping and tumbling down the
fred the big truss of grass, and the
brute rolled right into the flames. 1t
was shocking-dreadfully shocking!
The wretched creature writhed and
leaped about till 1t plunged into the
pool. When it sought to crawl out,
all black and hideous, Blake went up
and killed 1t with his club-crushed in
its skull UGH"
Miss Leslie gazed at the unnerved
Englishman with calm scrutiny.
But why should you feel SO about
it," she asked. WAS it not the
beasts life against ours?"
But so horrible a DEATH"
I'm sure Mr.. Blake would have pre-
ferred to shoot the creature had he
a gun. Having nothing else than fire,
think it was all very brave Of him.
Now we are sure of water and food.
Had we not best be going?"
1T was to fetch you that Blake
sent me-"
Winthrope spoke with perceptible
stiffness He was chagrined, not only
by her commentator of Blake, but
by the indifference with which she had
met his agitation.
They started at once, Miss Leslie
in the lead. AS they rounded the point
she caught sight Of the smoke still
rising from the cleft. A little later
she noticed the vultures which were
streaming down out of the sky from
all quarters other than seaward. Their
focal point seemed to be the trees at
the foot of the cleft. A nearer view
showed that they were alighting in the
thorn bushes on the south border Of
| the wood.
OF Blake there was nothing to be
seen until Miss Leslie, still in the
lead, pushed in among the trees. There
they found him crouched beside 4
small fire, near the edge of the pool
He did not look up. His eyes were
riveted in a hungry stare upon several
:; pieces of flesh, suspended over the
flames on spits Of green twigs.
"Hello!" he sang out, as he heard
their footsteps. "Just in time, Miss
Jenny. Your broiled steak'll be ready
| In snort ORDER.
"Oh, build up the fre! I'm simply
ravenous!" she exclaimed, between i'm
patience and delight.
Winthrope was hardly less keen;
yet his hunger did not altogether
blunt his curiosity
Il say. Blake" he inquired, where
did you get the meat?"
"Stow it, Win, my boy. This amt
packing house. The stun may be
tough, but it's not-er-the other
thing. Here you are. Miss Jenny.
Chew it of the stick"
Though Winthrope had his suspi-
cions, he took the piece Of half-burned
flesh which Blake handed him in turn
and fell to eating without further ques-
ton. AS Blake had surmised, the
roast proved far other than tender.
Hunger, however, lent 1t most ap.
petizing flavor. The repast ended
when there was nothing left to devour
Blake threw away his empty spit and
rose to stretch. He waited for Miss
Leslie to swallow her last mouthful
and then began to chuckle.
Whats the joker" asked Win.
thrope
Blake looked at him solemnly.
: well now, that was downright
mean of me-" he drawled: after rob
bling them. to laugh at it,"
: ''Robbing who?"
, "The buzzards"
you've fed US on leopard meat!
It's-it's disgusting!"
81 found it filling. How about you
Miss jenny"
Miss Leslie did not know whether to
laugh or to give way to a feeling OF
nausea. She did neither.
Can we not find the spring of which
you spoke?" she asked. Il am thirsty
well, guess the fire is about burnt
out" assented Blake. Come on; wei
see"
: The cleft now had far different as
pect from what it had presented or
their first visit. The largest of the
trees, though scorched about the base
still stood with unwithered foliage
little harmed by the fire. But many
of their small companions had beer
killed and partly destroyed by the heat
and flames from the burning brush. II
places the fire was yet smouldering.