The Mena weekly star., 1912-04-25

We wefe on the other slope of the
mountain until it was almost over.
head"
"Nuther did I. To tell the truth I
was lyin' down nappin' wen Pete
we're, who'd been down the canon
rounding up some of the critters.
came Dustin in on u.s."
Il amt saved but four bosses" said
Pete mournfully, 'and there's only one
burro on the hog back"
We came back as fast as we
could" said Maitland. II pushed on
ahead. George, Bradshaw and Phillips
are bringing Bob and the girls. We
must search the canon"
IT can't be done tonight, old man"
said Kirkby.
i tell you we can't wait, jack"
We've got to, I'm as willin to Law
down my life for that young gal as
anybody on earth, but in this we're
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"
III she's in the canon 'twont make
no difference to her w'ether we finds
her tomorrer or next day or next
year, Bob"
Maitland groaned in anguish.
i can't stay here inactive" he per-
sisted stubbornly.
It's hard thing, but we got to
wait till mornin' Eff she got out of
the canon and climbed up on the hog
back she'll be all right, she'll soon
md 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 as we got to wait we might
as well make ourselves as comfortable
as possible. For the wimmen an
children, anyway fetched up some
ham and some canned goods and 9TH
er eatin's in these yere canvas sacks.
We might kindle fire"
TITS hardly possible" said Matt
land. 1--WE shall have to eat it cold"
"Oh, Robert" pleaded his wife,
isn't it 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 look at the canon"
By this time the others Joined the
party. Phillips and Bradshaw showed
the stuff that was In them. They i'm
mediately volunteered to go down the
canon at once, knowing little or moth
ing Of its dangers and Indifferent to
what they did know, but as Kirkby
had pointed out, the attempt was
clearly impossible. Maitland bitterly
reproached himself for having allow
ed the girl to go alone. and In those
self-reproaches old Kirkby joined.
They were too wet and cold to
sleep. There was no shelter and 1t
was not until early in the morning
they succeeded In kindling q FIRE.
Meanwhile the men talked the situa-
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 ranch or settlement, and on
very short rations at best. II was
finally decided that George and Pete
and Mrs Maitland. the two girls and
the youngs'er, should go back to the
wagon. drive to the nearest settle
ment leave the women and then re-
turn On horseback with all speed to
L4eet 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 we're to
take up the hunt for Enid Maitland
might have kept them with him, but
that meant retaining a 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, oil
until the return Of the relief party
the groups separated at daybreak.
"Oh, Robert" pleaded his wife, as
he kissed her good bye, take care of
yourself, but find Enid"
eyes," answered her husband. II
shall, never fear, but must find 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 pray
err 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 Kirk
by plunged down to the side of the
canon, the others taking up their
weary march homeward with sad
hearts and in great dismay.
Continued in next issue)