The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1912-07-12
CHAPTER WI
The wilderness Cabin.

The light was considerably farther
away than they had ut first supposed.
and az they advanced steadily toward
II, the nature Of the ground rapidly
changed. becoming irregular. aud H.
tered with low growing shrubs. In
the darkness they stumbled over out.
groupings Of rock. and after a fall or
two, were compelled TO move forward
with extreme caution Hut the mys
terious yellow glow continually beck
oncd. and with new hope anlmatlng
the hearts Of both men. they staggered
on, ncrying themselves Co the effort
and following closely along the bank
Of the stream
Al last they arrived where they
could perceive dimly something Of the
nature Of this unexpected desert oasis.
The light shone forth. piercing the
night. through the mcurtained window
Of a log cabin. which would otherwise
have been completely concealed from
view by group of low growing cot.
tonwoods. This was all the black. on.
shroudng night revealed. and even
this was merely made apparent by the
yellow illumination Of the window.
The cabin stood upon an island. a
strip Of sand. partially covered by wa.
ter, separating II from the north shore
on which they stood. There was no
sign Of life about the hut. other than
the burning lamp. but that alone was
sufficient evidence OF occupancy. In
spite Of hunger. and urgent need Keith
hesitated. uncertain as TO what they
might he called upon TO face. Who
could he living In this outofthe-way
spot, In the heart Of this inhospitable
desert? II would be no cattle out.
post surely for there was no surround.
ing grazing land. while surely no pro.
tcssional hunter would choose such u
barren spot for headquarters. Either
hermit anxious 10 escape all inter.
rourgc with humanity. or some outlaw
hiding from arrest. would be likely to
select so isolated place In which TO
live To them II would be- ideal. Away
from all trails. where not even widely
rowing cattlemen would penetrate, In
midst Of u desert avoided by Indians
because Of lack Of gamc-a man might
hide here year after year without
danger Of discovery Vet such one
would not be likely TO welcome their
coming, and they were without arms
Hut Keith was not n man to hesitate
long because Of possible danger. and
he stepped down into the shallow wa
ter.
Come on. Ncb." he commanded
"and wen ind out who lives here"
The window faced the west. and he
came up the low bank to where the
door fronted the north In intense
darkness. Under the shadow OF the
cOttonwoods he could see nothing
cropping his way. with hands extended
Ills foot struck fiat stone. and he
plunged forward, striking the unlatch
ed door so heavily a. to swing II open
and fell partially forward into the
room As he struggled TO his knees
Ncbs black face pccrng past him into
the lighted interior. he seemed TO per
reive In one swift, comprehensive
glance. every revealed detail A lamp
burned on a rudely constructed set OF
drawers near the window and q wood
hre blazed redly In stone fireplace
opposite. the yellow aud red lights
blending In a peculiar glow Of color
Under this radiance were revealed the
rough log walls plastered with yellow
alay, and hung about with the skins
OF Wild animals. roughly made table,
bare except for book lying upon II,
and few ordinary appearing boxes,
evidently utilized AZ seats, together
with u barrel cut so As TO make a com.
Portable chair In the back wall was
door partially open, apparently
leading into a second room. That was
all. except the woman
Keith must have perceived all these
In that first hurried glance, for they
we're ever after closely associated to-
gether In his mind vet at the moment
he possessed no clear thought Of any
thing except her She stood directly
behind the table, where she must have
sprung hastily at the first sound OF
their approach. clutching at the rude
mantel above the fireplace, aud staring
toward him. her face white her breath
coming In sobs Al first he thought
the vision a dream, delirinm born
from his long struggle; he could not
conceive the possibility Of such pres
ence In This lonely place. and stagger
Inr ro BIZ feet. gazed wildly, dumply