Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1911-10-04
CHAPTER VIII.
The Wilderness Cabin.

The light was considerably farther
away than they had at first supposed.
ana as they advanced steadily toward
5 IT. the nature OF the ground rapidly
changed. becoming irregular, and lit
tered with low growing shrubs. In
the darkness they stumbled over ont.
groupings OF rock. and after a fall or
two. were compelled to move forward
with extreme caution. But the mys.
ferrous yellow glow continually beck
ohed' and with new hope animating
Inc 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 tho
nature OF this unexpected desert oasis,
me light shone forth, piercing the
night, through the uncurtained window
OF log cabin, which would otherwise
nave been completely concealed from
We" Dy a group Of low growing cot
eonwoods. This was all the black. en-
snrouding night revealed, and oven
THIS was merely made apparent by the
yellow Illumination Of the window.
The cabin stood upon an island. a
strip of sand. partially covered by wa
Ter. separating It from the north shore
on which they stood. There was no
sign OF life about the hut, other than
me burning lamp, but that alone was
Suhcient evidence OF occupancy. In
spite or hunger, and urgent need. Keith
ihesitated. uncertain as to what they
might be called upon to face. Who
could BIO 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
Ing grazing land. while surely no pro-
fessional hunter would choose such a
barren spot for headquarters. Either
\ hermit, anxious to escape all inter
course with humanity, or some outlaw
hlding from arrest. would be likely to
select so isolated a place In which to
live To them 1t would be ideal. Away
from all trails, where not even widely
rowing cattlemen would penetrate. in
midst Of desert avoided by Indians
because of lack Of game-a man might
hide here year after year without
danger or discovery. Yet such one
would not be likely to welcome their
coming, and they were without arms.
But Keith was not man to hesitate
long because OF possible danger, and
ne 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 nothing
cropping his way. with hands extended.
his foot struck fat stone. and be
plunged forward, striking the unlatch-
cd door so heavily as to swing It open.
and fell partially forward into the
room. As he struggled TO his knees
Nebs black face peering past him into
the lighted Interior, he seemed 20 per
ceive in one swift, comprehensive
siance, every revealed detail. a lamp
burned on a rudely constructed set OF
drawers near the window, and a wood
hre blazed redly in stone fireplace
opposite. the yellow and red lights
blending in a peculiar glow Of color
Under this radiance were revealed the
rough log walls pastered with yellow
clay. and hung about with the skins
OF wild animals, roughly made table.
pare except for book lying upon Il.
and few ordinary appearing boxes,
evidently utilized as seats. together
with a barrel cut 80 as TO make a com.
Portable chair. In the back wall was
door. partially open, apparently
leading into second room. That was
All, except the woman
Keith must have perceived all these
In that first hurried glaece. for they
were ever after closely associated to-
sstheT IN his mind. yet at the moment
To possessed no clear thought of any.
thing except her. She stood directly
behind the cable. where she raust have
sprung hastily at the fest sound Of
their approach, clutchins at the rude
nsntel above the fireplace, and staring
,owaTd him. her face white. her breath
onins In sobs. At FIRST he thought
10 vision dream. a delirium born
4 ON his long struggle; he could not
Snceiye the possibility OF such a pres
ence IN this lonely place. and stagger
~ 70 iris fact. sszed wildly, dumbly