The Mena weekly star., 1912-04-25
Copyright. 1911. BY W. @. chapmanJ
Continued from last issue)
CHAPTER VII.


Old Kirkby, who had been lazily
mending a saddle the greater part of
me morning, had eaten his dinner,
smoked his pipe and was now stretch
cd out on the grass In the warm sun
taking a nap. Mrs. Maitland was
s browsing over q book In the shadow
of one Of the big pines. when Pete,
= 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 and most
Unusual affront to his dignity and sta
ton 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
81 TO his lese-majestie, pointing at
black cloud rolling over the top of the
range. It'll be a cloudburst sure.
81 Well have to git 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 mid
its approach. At best the three In
81 the camp could not have discovered 1t
until 1t was high in the heavens. Now
the clouds we're already approaching
the MONDAY sun. Kirkby was alive to
the situation at once. He had the rare
ability of men of action of awakening
with all his faculties at instant COM
mand. He did not have to rub his
eyes and wonder where he was, and
speculate as to what was to be done.
The moment that his eyes, following
Pete'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
Well have to run for our lives,
maam." he said briefly. "Pete, drive
the stock up on the hills, fur as you
kin. the bosses perukler, they'll be
more to Us an them burros must take
keer Of themselves"
Pete needed no urging. He was of
like shot In the direction of the I'm
provised corral He loosed the horses
from their pfckets and started them
up the steep trail that led down from
the hogback to the camp by the wa
ter's edge. He also tried to start the
burros he had Just rounded up In the
same direction Some OF them would
go 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 man he
ran over to the tent where the stores
were kept and began picking out such
articles Of provision as he could
easiest carry.
Come over here, Mrs. Maitland"
he cried. We'll have to carry up on
the hill somethin' to keep us from
starvin' till we get back to town We
hadn't orter camped in this we're
pocket noways, but who'd ever expect
ed anything like this now?"
What do you fearY" asked the
woman, Joining him as she spoke and
waiting for his directions.
Looks to me like a cloudburst,"
was the answer Greeks pretty full
now, an If she does break everything
below yere II go to hell on a run"
1t was evidence of his perturbation
and anxiety that he used such Ian
guage, which, however, In the emer-
gency did not seem unwarranted even
to the refined ear of Mrs. Maitland.
Is 1t possible?" she exclaimed
faint only possible, it's sartin.
NOW, ma'am," he hastily bundled up
lot Of miscellaneous provisions In
small piece Of canvass, tied 1t up and
handed 1t to her "That'll 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 peal of thunder, low. NUT
tered, menacing. burst forth from the
nying clouds. now obscuring the sun.
and rolled over the camp.
We've got time enough yit," an
swered Kirkby. coolly calculating
their chances. Best git yer slicker
on, you'll need it 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 bis own old battered. soiled rain
clothes and had grabbed up Pete's.
Il brought the childrens coats
along" said Mrs. Maitland. extending
three others.
Good" said Kirkby. Now wen
AXE our packs an"
DO you think there is any danger
10 Roberty"
He'll git nothin' worse n q wet
TN" returned the old man confident
y. III we'd pitched the tents up on
The hog back. that's all we'd been In
for"
4 have to leave the tents and eli
the things" said Mira. Maitland.
You can stay with them" answered
kirkby. dryfy. hut II what think 3
eoin' e happen comes Of. you wont
hare no need Of nofhin' no more
Great God. here abe coEnaA-
IA he spoke there was sudden.
swim doNnpouf q rain. NOT IN drops
eat n torrsnt Catching - he pp'n
bach and mpflorlue the wuaan % 80
likewise vita har load. KirkEy enuehi