Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-01-30
CHAPTER VII.
A Wild Dash for the Hills.

the morning, nad eaten MS dinner,
smoked his pipe and WAS now stretch
ed out on the grass in the warm sun
taking a nap. Mrs. Maitland was
browsing over a book in the shadow
OF one OF the big pines, when Pete,
the horse wrangler. who had been
wandering rather far down the canon
rounding up the ever straying stock,
suddenly came bursting into the camp.
Great God Almighty" he cried.
actually kicking the PROSTATE from
tiersman as he almost stumbled over
him. Wake up. old man, an"
What the" began Kirkby fierce
ly, thus rudely aroused from slumber
and resentful Of the daring ana most
unusual affront to his dignity and sta
tion since all men. and especially the
younger ones, held him in great hon
or
Look here" yelled Peter in grow
ing excitement and entirely oblivious
70 his lese-majestie, pointing at a
black cloud rolling over the top OF the
range. '1t'H be a cloudburst sure
Wen have TO sit out O. here an in
hurry too. oh, Mrs. Maitland"
BY this time Kirkby was on his
feet, the storm had stolen upon him
sleeping and unaware. The conhgura-
ton OF the canon had completely hid
its approach. At best the three IN
the camp could not have discovered II
until 81 was high IN the heavens. Now
the clouds we're already approaching
the MONDAY sun. Kirkby was alive 20
the situation at once. He had the rare
ability of men Of action OF awakening
with all his faculties at instant COM
maud. lie did not have 70 rub his
eyes and wonder where he was, and
speculate as TO what was 10 be done.
Tho moment that his eyes, following
Fpte's outstretched arm. discovered
the black mass Of clouds he ran to-
ward Mrs. Maitland and standing on
no ceremony he shook her vigorously
by the shoulder.
Wen have 20 run for our lives,
ma'cm." be said briefly. Pete. drive
the stock up on the hills. fur as you
Lin. the HOSES pertikler they'll be
more 10 us an them burros must take
Eocr Of themselves"
Pete needed no urging. He was OF
Ike a shot in the direction Of the i'm.
rruvi7"d corral. He loosed the horses
from their rjckets and started them
u0 the steep trail that led down from
the hugback 20 the camp by the wa
ter's edge. lIe also tried to start the
hurros he had just rounded up in the
same direction. Some Of them would
so and some Of them would not. He
had his hands full in an instant
Meanwhile Kirkby did not linger by
the side OF Mrs. Maitland. With in
credible agility for so old a man he
ran over t0 the tent where tho stores
were kept and began picking out such
articles Of provision as he could
easiest carry.
Come over here, Mrs. Maitland"
he cried Wen have to carry up on
the hill somethin' TO keep US from
staryin' till we get back 10 town. We
hadn't orter camped in this yere
pocket noways. but who'd ever expect
ed anything like this now?"
What do you fear?" asked the
woman, joining him as she spoke and
waiting for his directions.
Looks 10 me like a cloudburst,"
was the answer. Greeks pretty full
now. an II she does break everything
below yere II go TO hell on a run"
Il was evidence of his perturbation
and anxiety that he used such Ian
Euage, which, however. in the emer-
gency did not seem unwarranted even
20 the refined ear OF Mrs. Maitland.
rs II possible?" she exclaimed.
"'Taint only possible. it's sartin.
Now. ma am" he hastily bundled up a
lot OF miscellaneous provisions in a
small piece OF canvass tied II up and
handed IL TO her. ''That'Il be for you %
Immediately after he made up a much
larger bundle in another tent fly,
adding AN this is mine" .
'Oh. let us hurry cried Mrs Matt.
land. as a peal OF thunder. low. NUT.
tered. menacing. burst forth from the
Tying clouds. now obscuring the sun.
and rolled over the camp.
We've got time enough yit,- an.
svered Kirkby. coolly calculating
their chances. Best git yer slicker
on. you'll need Il IN a few minutes /"
Mrs. Maitland ran to her own tent
and soon came out with sou'wester
and yellow oilskins completely cover.
ing her. Kirkby meantime had don.
ned his own old battered. soiled rain
clothes and had grabbed up Petes.
Il brought the children's coats
along" said Mrs. Maitland, extending
three others.
Good said Kirkby. Now wen
take our packs am
DO you think there is any danger
10 Robert7'
Hen git nothin' worse n a wet
tin. returned the old man confident
ly. IF we'd pitched the tents up OF
the hog back, that's all we'd been fl
for"
u have TO leave the tents and al
the things said Mrs. Maitland
You can stay with them" answeres
Kirkby, dryly. but IL what think :
goin' TO happen comes OF, you won
have no need o. nothin' no more
Great God, here she comes"
AS he spoke there was q sudden
swift downpour Of rain. not in drops
but in a torrent. Catching up his owl
pack and motioning the woman to d