Putnam patriot., 1911-08-18


 down Bracing up again. he managed somehow 10 get the old knife out of his pocket and cut himself free.
 He could see little.
 A gray spectral light filtered in here and there that defined nothing even when his eyes grew accustomed to the darkness
 It was an endless journey. In places where the dirt closed in he would be full minute progressing foot and a minute of such mortal ter TOT as seldom falls to the lot of man of peace or soldier
 But il ended
 Suddenly the boys outstretcheG hand encountered only emptiness be low Thar frame had held. He dove mic the space head first and landed pn something soft and warm. the body sf his partner
 He had found him Tn paroxysm If Joy he flung himself upon the mo tfonless figure and cried his heart out This too. he soon conquered. Jim had just SO much show. Any delay might wine it out He searched the mans pockets until he found a match. By It's light he saw the candle stuck into the post and lit it. Then he knelt be- side his partner again.
 Ches realized what had happened the instant before the calamity. Jim, startled by the noise of the yielding timbers. had made 6 rush only to be struck down by the rock. that now lay within an inch of him. yet struck into safety for all that. Had he gone yard farther the life would have been smashed out of him instantly.
 But now what! The flowing blood sent sickening chill through the boy. Had be done this much only 10 be able to see his pardner die? He drove his teeth into his hand again at the thought What was that? Was 1t trick of the tunnel, his heart sounding in his own ears or a rhythmic beat from outsider Hollow and dull fell that "clatter-elum-clatter
 "Budr screamed Ches. Tank God. dat's Budr'
 After half a dozen efforts he climbed the dirt pile and went back through the treacherous holes The rider came SO fast. oh. groaned the boy. I'll never make it! Bud'll tink were off somewberes an pull on. Bud. Bud? he called al the top of his lungs, but the tunnel swallowed the little voice.
 Desperation made him entirely reck- less. IL was any way to get out be fore the mail man was beyond call Gluiry with sweat, he pulled, tugged. squirmed and wriggled along until a dirty. small bundle rolled down almost under the mail riders feet. "Whoa" shouted Bud, with an as tonlshed oath Whats the-why. boy, whats the matter2 Dash 1t, how you Jcart me-
 Der tunnels feIl In. Bud Jim's In iere where der frames held. He's Hyin' yet. but he's got tur'bl cut in bis head"
 How far hack2- he asked "rree frames was held Dere was seven. ten foot apart How much is dntT"
 Forty feet-ten foot aparti No won der. Oh, Jim. How could you have been so carelessy" The boys shoulders shook once. He worked like CT horse. Now it's all gone. an he's in dere." The face contorted out of all humanity. but he held the tears back. Bud leaped from his horse. Never you mind. Chessy. lad" he cried. hug ging up the little figure Well get him out of that Could we haul him out the way you wentr'
 NO; dere amt room. and if you | touch dat root hard"- he shuddered i Bud sucked in his breath. If you l weren't the sandy little man to try itr
 he said He stood moment in si-
 lenee going over il all
 "Ches. be said. there aint any | time to lose If Jim's cut like that he l may bleed to death in there when we | could save nim all right if we had him 1 outside,
 l "There's party of miners down the road eigta mile, They was having | their grub IS went by. Chances are
 they'll be there yet They've got four
 men and team. could ride back. | but 1 ought to be here working Do you think you could stick on old BGeA and ride tberer
 CheS caught his hand. -l kin make 1 it. Bud" be pleaded 'i cuddent do
 nothin If l stayed here. an you could do a heap. Put me up and let me | try"
 l "An right" said Bud. ''fhe good
 Lord kept you from getting hurt in
 the tunnel Perhaps he'll see you
 through again. Shut your eyes and
 hold on tight when you strike the high
 places and don't touch rein Leave
 it all to old Buck"
 He stepped forward and caught the
 horse by the bit.
 Buck" he said. as though talking
 to human being. you and me have
 been through a heap together. Don't
 fal down on me now. Take the kid
 safe. old boy" He caught Ches ur
 and threw him across the saddle
 You'll only have to tell 'em what's
 happened. The Lord send nothing
 happens to you Goodby. you brave
 little devil Wen win out yet Go it.
 Bucks'