The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1911-09-15
CHAPTER VIII.
The Wilderness Cabin.

the darkness they stumbled over out
two, were compelled to move forward
with extreme caution. But the mys-
FERROUS yellow glow continually beck
oned, and with new hope animating
the hearts of both men, they staggered
on, nerving themselves to the effort,
and following closely along the bank
OF the stream.
At last they arrived where they
could perceive dimly something OF the
nature Of this unexpected desert oasis.
The light shone forth, piercing the
might, through the uncurtained window
OF a log cabin, which would otherwise
have been completely concealed from
view by a group of low growing cot
tonwoods. This was all the black, en-
ahrDudfno ~E-,A er. .--' ~ r--..
uIumination of the window.
The .cabia stood upon an island, 8
strip Of sand, partially covered by wa.
Ter, separating 1t from the north shore
on which they stood. There was no
sign Of life about the hut, other than
the burning lamp, but that alone.w was
sufficient evidence of occupancy. In
spite Of hunger. and urgent need, Keith
hesitatnd. uncertr in as to what they
might be Gallo upon to face. Who
could be living IN this out-of-the-way
spot, in the heart of this inhospitable
desert? 1t would be no cattle out
post surely, for there was no surround
<ng grazing land. while surely no pro-
Sessfonal hunter would choose such a
barren spot for headquarters. Either
a hermit. anxious to escape all inter
course with humanity, or some outlaw
hiding from arrest, would be likely to
select so isolated a place in which to
live. To them it would be ideal. Away
from all trails, where rot even widely
rowing cattlemen would penetrate. in
midst Of a desert avoided by Indians
because OF lack of game-a man might
hide here year after year without
danger Of discovery. Yet such a one
would not be likely to welcome their
coming, and they were without arms.
But Keith was not a man to hesitate
long because of possible danger, and
he stepped down into the shallow wa
ter.
Come on. Neb." he commanded,
"and we'll find out who lives here"
The window faced the west, and he
came up the low bank to where the
door fronted the north in intense
darkness. Under the shadow of the
cottonwoods he could see no.hing,
cropping his way, with hands extended.
His foot struck a fiat stone. and he
plunged forward. striking the unlatch.
ed door so heavily as to swing 1t open
and fell partially forward into the
room. AS he struggled to his knees
Neb's black face peering past him into
the lighted interior. he seemed to per
ceiye In n swift, comprehensive
glance, every revealed detail. A lamI
burned on a rudely constructed set Of
drawers 81 the window, and a woot
fire blazed redly In a stone fireplace
opposite. the yellow and red light,
blending in a peculiar glow of color
Under this radiance were revealed tn,
rough log walls plastered with yellow
clay, and hung about with the skins
OF wild animals, a roughly made table
bare except for a book lying upon il
and a few ordinary appearing boxes
evidently utilized as seats, togethe
with a barrel cut so as to make a com
Portable chair. In the back wall wa
. door. partially open. APPARENT,
leading into a second room That wa
all. except the woman.
Keith must have perceived all thes
IN that first hurried glance, for the.
were ever after closely associated tc
Gether in his mind. yet at the momen
he possessed no clear thought OF any
thing except her. She stood directl
behind the table, where she must hav
sprung hastily at the first sound O
their approach, clutching at the rud
mantel above the fireplace. and starini
toward him. her face white, her breatl
coming In sobs. At first he though
the vision a dream. a delirium Dor
from his long struggle; he could no
conceive the possibility Of such a pres
ence In this lonely place. and staggel
tpS 10 his Seet. gazed wildly. dumb