Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-31

working himself backward step by
step until he reached the shelter. just
inside was his rife. He drew It out
and sank upon his knees in the snow
20 aim. At the report OF the rife Jan
stirred. but did not open his eyes. He
made no movement when Dixon called
out in shrill Joy that he had killed
meat He heard, he strove TO arouse
himself, but something more powerful
than his own will seemed pulling him
down into oblivion. 1t seemed an
eternity before he was conscious Of a
voice again. He felt himself lifted
and opened his eyes with his head
resting against the Engllshman's shout
der.
Drink this, Thoreau," he heard.
He drank and knew that it was not
tea that ran down his throat.
whisky Jack SOUP" he heard again.
"How is it?''
He became wide awake. Dixon was
offering him a dozen small bits of
meat on a tin plate and he ate with
out questioning. Suddenly, when there
were only two or three Of the smallest
scraps left. he stopped.
1T was whisky jackw he cried. 81
have eaten it all"
The young Englishman's white face
! grinned at him.
Thoreau. You've got the moose bird
Isn't that fair2"
The plate dropped between them
| Over 1t their hands met in a great
clutching grip, and up from Jams
| heart thera welled words which almos
! burst from his lips in voice, word
which rang in his brain and which
were an unspOken prayer-"Melisse
thank the great God that il is this maj
whom you love"' But it was in silenc,
that he staggered to his feet and wen
out into the gloom.
This may be only a lull in tn
Storm" he said. We must lose n
time. How long did you travel befor
you made this camp?"
About ten hours" said Dixon. 80
made due west by compass until
knew that l had passed Lac Balm an
then struck north"
"Ah, you have the compass" erie
Jan. his eyes lighting up. "M'seu
Dixon, We are very near to the post 1
you camped so soon! Tell me which /
north"
That is north"
Then we go south-south and cas-
II you Travelled ten hours. first ives
and then north, we are northwest G
Lac Balm"
Jan spoke no more. but got his riff
from the shelter and put only the te
and two pals in his pack, leaving III
remaining blanket upon the snow. Tn
Englishman followed close behind hin
bending weakly under the weight q
his gun.
! Tsdiously they struggled to the to
Of the ridge, and as Jan stopbed
, look through the gray day about hiI
Dixon sank down into the snow. whe
the other turned toward him be CRIME
up feebly into his face.
"Bushed." he gasped. Don't b,
: neve can make II through this snow
, Thoreau."
/ There was no fear In his eyes, ther
/ was even a cheerful ring In his voice
A sudden glow leaped into JAMS fac,
Il know this ridge" be exclaimed
. 1T runs within a mile OF Lac Bail
: You'd better leave your rife behind"
! Dixon made an effort TO rise, an
Jan helped him. They went on SLOW
~, resting every few hundred yard
. ana each time that he rose from thes
, periods Of rest Dixon's face was tWis
ed with pain.
ITS the -four and water anchore
! amidships," be smiled Erimly. ''CramI
ugh! I Wish you'd go on alone" b
urged. You could send help
Il promised Melissa that I woul
: bring you back II I found you" r,
piled Jan, his face turned away. 81
the storm broke again you would /
lost"
/ Tell ne-tell me- he heard Dtxo
) pant eagerly. did she send you I
Z hunt for me. ThoreauT'
. Something IN the Engiishmsn's voiC
; drew his eyes to him There was a
i excited flush in his starved cheeks
his eyes shone.
. Did she send your
: Jan struggled hard to speak calmly.
D Not in words, Mseur Dixon. b
5 ! know that II ! get you safely baC
. to Isc Balm she will be very happy
= Something came in DiKon's sobbin
] breath WHICH Jan did not hear. -