Rock Island Argus., 1911-09-27
The Argus Daily Story
The Last Chanoe-By Sarah Maria Grant.
Copyrshtcd. 1871. by Associated Literary Bureau

Harry Barry. shaken into more com
Portable posture. but his head and
shoulders stin enveloped In the blan-
ket. was permitted to ride White star.
while his friends with voices lowered
during their infre0uent converse man
eyed TO conceal their identity from
him.
When they were safely on another
territory they paused and gathered
into n semicircle about the prisoner.
The blanket was withdrawn from Hnr-
ry Barrys indignant cOuntenance,
and he split the morning air with n
wEoop of disgust when he viewed the
faces of his friends in the wan day
light Worn and hapgard they were.
but each pair of faithful eyes viewed
him with brotherly love.
what in the blankety- blank blank is
the matter with you aazRboes?" he
beloved wrathfully. "Is this what
you call joke to carry a feller thir-
~ miles away from the first streak OF
luck he's ever had? / wish I'd kept it
to myself,' He looked around at their
crestfallen faces. his own anger abat-
ing in the light of concern he read in
the eyes fixed on him.
Were your friends, Harry" BOOM
ed Gabriel solemnly. what we've
done this night has been agin the law,
as we all know it, but l don't believe
one mothers son OF us would have
done 1t for anybody but you. Seems
like l couldn't bear not to hear you
laugh no more" The rough fellow
drew his sleeve across his brow, and
for an instant his troubled and betray-
ing eyes were hidden.
The others nodded assent. Not for
nobody but you, Harry" added the
Crane crustily.
Harry Barry stared at their woebe-
gone faces with bewildcred eyes. He
looked little like II condemned man
n man who had faced death but few
short hours before-a man who had
escaped certain hanging from one OF
the three cottonwoods n Satan's Gulch.
whats the rumpusT' he demanded
at length. "You got my note all
right?'
That's why we came. and-what's
happened that you call the limb of "A
cottonwood the first streak OF luck
you ever hadT' demanded Gabriel
sternly. There want no gal In the
case?"
Harry Barry stared. Mary gal"
he managed TO say after awhile. "but
what's the limb of a cottonwood tree
got to do with me2"
Silently Gabriel passed over the note
that the Mexican had delivered, aud
the others stared curiously as the
young man read II.
where's the rest Of it7' he demand
ed
"Rest Of IT." they echoed
"The first part. It's been torn on"
That's the way it was handed 10
me-" said Gabriel.
''Ill bet the greasy toad tore some
OF II Off 10 make a cigarette" sput-
tered Harry Barry. Then, turning to
ward them, he said without n trace OF
humor in bis pleasant voice: This
part, boys. sounds mighty desperate.
but when I tell you what was I'm the
part that the greaser tore Off you'll
understand The whole note said:
'Iurray, I've struck silver at Satnn's
Gulch after all, Come 10 the three
cottonwoods and bring the boys 20
celebrate. It's the Last Chance And,
boys, the name OF the new mine ls
Last Chance"
His careless young face grew very
tender as the four yelled themselves
hoarse with delight They joked one
another about the mistake they had
made. and as they turned about and
rode back over the trail into their own
state they discussed. with much laugh
Harry Barry away from his streak OF
luck. Harry Barrys favorite theme
for months had been his belief that
silver ore would be found at Satan's
Gulch. and he had utilized his three
weeks vacation 10 prospect that re-
glon thoroughly. with the best of sue
cess.
Harry Barry himself was the only
serious one in the party bound for the
At last. when they all
drew rein under the trees and had ex-
amined the notice OF his claim that
was posted, there they waited for him
to speak.
He looked around at their tired faces
and read the satisfaction I'm their eyes.
There came to him then the full
knowledge OF what friendship means
between men.
Friends" he said gently, 81 under
stand now why you rode down to the
hree cottonwoods, and you must have
some in me TO do what you
lid. This amt going 20 be big mine
there amt a fortune In it-but, no
matter what size IL f., there's FIVE
partners In II, and it's name is Friend
ship. You fellers lay down and sleep
while I get some breakfast"
Before they obeyed him there was a
brief instant while hands gripped
lands. and then the tension was re-
moved, and they were on the old foot
ng once more. save for the strong
foundation that the nights work had
aid for their future friendship.