The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1910-05-17
CHAPTER discontinued.

plake picked a path along the edge
!, the rill, where the moist vegetation,
hough scorched, had refused to burn.
liter the first abrupt ledge, up which
blake had to drag his companions, the
scent was easy. But as they climbed
round an outjutting corner of the
teen right wall of the cleft Blake
nuttered a curse of disappointment.
He could now see that the cleft did
hot run to the top of the cliff, but
trough it, like a tiny box canyon.
Fhe sides rose sheer and smooth as
rails Midway, at the highest point of
he cleft. the baobab lowered high
kbove the ridge crest, its gigantic
trunk filing a third of the breadth of
HE little gorge. Unfortunately it
food close to the left wall.
Here's luck for you." growled
Blake. why couldn't the blamed old
rec have grown on the other side?
Ne might have found a way to climb
Cues we'll have to smoke out
mother lsspard. We're no nearer
hose BIRDS nests than we were yes
erday"
by Jov., look here." exclaimed
Einshrope This is our chance for
atelope! Here by the spring are
amboos-real bamboos-and only
lalf the thicket burned"
What of them?" demanded Blake.
Bows-arrows-and did you not
gree that they would make knives?'
Umph-we'll see. What is it, Miss
|enny?"
Isn't that hole in the big tree?"
Looks like it. These baobabs are
bten hollow"
Perhaps that is where the leopard
Dad his den," added Winthrope.
Shouldn't wonder. Well go ant
ee"
But, Mr.. Blake" protested the girl
may there not be other leopards?"
Might have been; but I'll bet they
out with the other. Look how the
Zee is scorched. Must have beer
lacks Of dry brush around the hole
Pough to smoke out a fireman. Wei
0ok and see if they left any soul
|mes lying around. First, though
|efes your drink, Miss Jenny"
AZ he spoke, Blake kicked aside
0ne smouldering branches and LEI
le way to the crevice whence thu
prlng trickled from the rock into
ullow stone basin. When all hat
lunk their fill of the clear cool waite
ake took up his club and walke'
angnt across to the baobab. Les
w ~ steps brought him to the mar
y" opening in the trunk of the hug
re- At first he could make out moth
IN the dimly lit interior; but tn
uo' catty odor was enough to con
u'e MIN that he had found The
fopards' den.
. ne caught the vague outlines of
Z Ns body, crouched five or six yard
w. on the far side of the hollow
, sprang back, his club brandishe,
'ilke But the expected attack di'
4 : lollow Blake glanced about a
y Ssa considering the advisability o
''''eat. Winthrope and Miss Lesli
We starring at him, white-faced. TIL
su' OF their terror seemed to spu
d ~ 70 daredevil bravado; though hi
.us may rather have been due t
70 'act mat he realized the futility O
49, ana so rose to the requirement
" ~, "e situation-the grim need t
~ ~. W and face the danger.
w. behind the bamboos!" h
u' ana as they hurriedly obeyet
:, Nsusnt up stone and flung it in a
IL .fouching beast.
a. a. ~ heard the missile strike with
!, ~. .auo that told him he had nc
~ N MS mark, and he swung up hi
~ ,n.a Doth hands. Given half
~ ne would smash the skull G
hd.s us'e as he had crushed he
>, be, mate. One moment after al
- PISSED, and he stood poised fo
- n ,.Sck tense and scowling. Nc
~ 49,, ss snarl came from within
~ Ssmss.a mashed upon him.
=, n. .snered!" he yelled.
h.' uAer saw him dart in throug
MIN a moment later two lin
Ia oooies were flung out into th
:, M Immediately after Blake real
~ hon. u1sssing the body Of the mott
"a HIM.. right; they're dead" erie
~ pe and he ran forward I
~ As eodlsA