The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1912-04-26
CHAPTER VII.
The Wilderness Cabin.

n wilderness Cabin.
The light was considerably farther
away than they had at first supposed.
n as they advanced steadily toward
1t, the nature Of the ground rapidly
changed, becoming irregular. and lit
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. But the mys-
terious yellow glow continually beck
oned. and with new hope animating
tho hearts OF both men. they staggered
on, nerving themselves TO the effort,
and following closely along the bank
Of the stream.
At last they arrived where they
could perceive dimly something of the
Hature OF this unexpected desert oasis.
The light shone forth, piercing the
night. through the uncurtained window
OF a log cabin. which would otherwise
have been completely concealed from
view by a group Of low growing cot
tonwoods. This was all the black, en-
s~hrouding night revealed. and even
This was merely made apparent by the
yellow illumination Of the window.
xhe cabin stood upon an island, q
strip of sand, partially covered by wa
ter. separating 1t 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
hesftated, uncertain az TO what they
might be called upon to face. Who
could be living In this out-of-the-way
spot. In the heart of this inhospitable
desert? Il would be no cattle out.
post surely. for there was no surround
ing grazing land. while surely no pro-
fessional hunter would choose such .
bezren spot for headquarters. Either
. hermit, anxious TO escape all inter
curse with humanity, or some outlaw
hiding from arrest, would be likely to
select 80 isolated q place in which to
hvs. To them II would be ideal. Away
from all trails, where not even widely
rowing cattlemen would penetrate. In
midst OF a desert avoided by Indians
because Of lack Of gams--a man might
hide here year after year without
Danger Of discovery. Yet such a one
would not be likely 10 welcome their
coming, and they were without arms.
But Keith was not q man to hesitate
long because OF possible danger. and
he stepped down into the shallow wa
Ter.
Gone on. Neb." he commanded.
and we'll find out who lives here"
The window fAcsd the west. and ~
came up the low bank to where The
<oor frunted the north In intense
earAness. Under the shadow OF the
cottonwoodB he could see nothing.
cropping his way. with hands extended.
His foot struck q nat stone, and hs
plunged forward. stirling the unlatch-
Cd door 50 heavily a. to swing It open.
and fell partially forward into the
SOON. Az he struggled 70 his knees.
Neb's black face peering past him into
Che lighted interior, no seemed to per-
eeive In one swim, comprehensive
glance, every revealed detail. A lamp
burned on q rudely constructed SET Of
drawers near the window. and . wood
Are biazed redly In . stone fireplace
opposite. the yellow and red lights
blending In q peculiar glow Of color.
Under this radiance were revealed the
rough log walls plastsrsd with yellow
clay. and hung about with the skins
ef wild animals. a roughly made table.
bare except for a book lying upon II,
and a few ordinary appearing boxes.
evidently utilised a. seats. together
with q barrel cat - - to make . com
Portable chair. In the back wan was
door. partially open. apparently
ell except the woman.
| eth mugt have perceived all these
b laat Arse hurrisd glance. far they
Oers eve after CLOSELY associated to-
petaer n his mi1d. yet ct the moment
y pOsoeDeA ~ clear thought q any
thiAg e1sspt hN. She stooa dtSsOoy
bshind The tAhls. whore she mnat hsvs
Wrung hM0Ry q the 1rst sosnd Oe
Mstr appraAcA. sauachtng 1t ~ ~
naztsl shove ~ hrsDaHes. md senetns
eward hAn. hsS Aee whiAa. har breath
inning In ssea. At As2t - tAs0She
ne vtstcu . ds0oR. . AsNstsR Asa
Rom hts Lang styaggie; As eO11A ~
Dncsivs the psss6olAty Of such . pess-
NICE IN Ais aoG0 plass. and s>aQsH.
! ~ - sb esaG ODsa vsAS. 6mnh1