The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-03-25

We wefe on tie other slDpe OF the
mountain un11l ID was almost OVER
head
aNuther dla Z To tn the truth I
was iyin' dswn nnppin' wen rste,
yere. who'd bssa down the canoa
rounding up some Of the critters,
came Dustin In on M"
Il amt saved but four hosaes," said
Pete mournfaIy. and there's only one
burro On the hos back"
I'VE came back 40 fast az we
could" said Maitland II pushed ON
ahead, George. Bradshaw and Phillips
are bringing Bob and the girls. We
must search the canon"
Tt cant be done tonight, old man"
said Kirkby.
Il tell you we can't wait, Jack!"
We've got to, I'm IA willin' to lay
down my life for that young gal a.
anybody on earth, but in this yere
mist an as black night as It's goin'
to be. We couldn't go ten rod without
KILN ourselves an we couldn't see
nothin' noways."
"But she may be in the canon"
TT she's IN the canon 'twom't make
no difference to her w'ether we finds
her tomorrer or next day or next
year, Bob"
Maitland groaned In anguish.
Il can't stay here inactive" he per-
sisted stubbernly.
'Ttis a hard thing. but we got to
wait till mornin'. Ell she got out of
the canon and climbed up c. the hog
back she'll be all right, she'll soon
find out she can't make NO progress In
this mist and darkness. No, old
friend, we're up agin It hard. We Jest
got to stay the night were We are an
as long az We got to wait we might
as well make ourselves as comfortable
as possible. For the wfnlmen an
children, anyway. I fetched up some
ham and some canned goods and otk-
er eatin's in these yere canvas sacks.
We might kindle a fire"
TITS hardly possible" said Matt
land. I'VE shall have to eat 1t cold"
"Oh, Robert" pleaded his wife,
isn't 1t possible that she may have
escaped?"
Possible, yes, but"
I'VE won't give up hope, ma'am."
said Kirkby, until tomorrer wen
We We had q look at the canon"
By this time the others Joined the
party. Phillips and Bradshaw showed
the stun that was IN them. They I'm
mediately volunteered to 60 down the
canon at once, knowing little or moth
ing of its dangers and Indifferent to
what they did know. M % Kirkby
had pointed out, the aAf11npt was
clearly impossible. Maakland bitterly
Ereproached himself for having allow
ed the girl to 60 alones and In those
self-reproaches old Kirk1g Joined.
They were too VET 80 cold to
sleep. There wAs no sAsiAsr and It
was not until early In the morning
they succeeded In kindling q fire.
ton over very carefully. They were
two days Journey from the wagons
1t was necessary that the women and
children should be taken back at once
Kirkby hadn't been able to save much
more than enough to eat to get, them
back to q ranch or settlement, and on
very short rafions ct best It was
finally decided that George and Pete
and Mrs. Maitland. the two girls and
the youngster, should 60 back to the
wagon, drive to the nearest settle
ment, leave the women and then re-
turn on horseback with all speed to
meet Maitland and Kirkby. who would
meanwhile search the canon.
The two men from the east had to
go back with the others, although
they pleaded CALAMITY to be allowed
to remain with the two who were to
take up the hunt for Enid. Maitland
might have kept them with him, but
that meant retaining q larger portion
Of the scanty supplies that had been
saved and he was compelled against
his will to refuse their requests. Leav-
ing barely enough to subsist Maitland
and Kirkby for three or four days. OF
until the return Of the relief party,
the groups separated at daybreak.
ooh, Robert" pleaded his wife, as
he kissed her good bye, take care OF
yourself. but hnd Enid"
Yes answered her husband, Il
shall, never FEAR, but l must nn0 the
dear girl or discover what has become
| Of her"
There was not time for further
leave taking. A few handclasps from
man to man and then Robert Matt
land, standing In the midst Of the
| group, bowed his head In the sunny
morning, for the sky again was clear
| and poured out a brief prayer that
God would prosper them, that they
would find the child and that they
would all be together again in health
| and happiness. And without another
| word, he and Kirkby plunged down to
the side Of the canon, tho others tax.
| ing up their weary march hOmeward
with sad hearts and in great dismay
(Continued Tomorrow