The Winslow mail., 1913-07-12
CHAPTER vll.-continued.

Certain facts were clear-to remain
meant death, torture for him II they
were taken alive, and worse than
death for her. Perspiration burst out
upon his face at the thought. No!
Great God! not that; he would kill
her himself first Yet this was the
truth, the truth to be faced. The
nearest available troops were at
Dodge, company of infantry. II they
started at once they could never ar
rive in time to prevent an attack at
daybreak. The Indians undoubtedly
anew this, realized the utter helpless
ness of their victims, and were acting
accordingly. Otherwise they would
never have lighted that fire nor re-
mained on guard. Moreover If the two
OF them should succeed in stealing
forth from the shelter Of the coach,
should skulk unseen amid the dense
bIackness of the overhanging bluff,
eluding the watchers, what would 1t
profit In the end? Their trail would
be clear; with the first gray Of dawn
those savage trackers would be at
work, and they would be trapped in
the open, on foot, utterly helpless
even to fight.
The mans hands clenched and un-
Z cfenched about his rifle-barrel in an
agony of indecision, his eyes perceiv-
ing the silhoutte Of the girl against
the lighter arc Of sky. No, not that
not that! They must hide their trail,
leave behind no faintest trace of pass
age for these hounds to follow. Yet
how could the miracle be accom-
pEished? Out from the mists of tor
tured memory camU, as faint hope,
a dim recollection of that narrow gull
gy cutting straight down across the
trail, over which the runaway had
crashed in full gallop. That surely
could not be far back, and was of suf-
f1cient depth to hide them in the dark
ness. He was uncertain how far it
extended, but at some time it had
reached the river. And the river
would hide their trail! A new hope
sprang into his eyes. He felt the sud
den Strengthening up of his body
''What-what is it?" she questioned,
startled. "Do you see anything? Are
they coming?"
mo, no." almosh impatiently. 'It is
still as death out there, but I almost
believe 1 have discovered a means of
escape. Do you remember a gully we
ran over while l was on top of the
stage"
"I am not sure; was it when that
awful jolt came?"
"Yes, 1t flung me to the foot-board
Just when l had untangled the lines
We could not have travelled a dozen
yards farther before we struck this
bluf-could we?"
IL hardly think So" yet evidently
bewildered by his rapid questioning.
''Only was so confused and fright
ened 1 can scarcely remember. Why
are you SO anxious to know?"
Because" he returned earnestly.
bending toward her, 81 believe that
cash in the earth Is going to get us
out Of here. Anyhow it is the only
chance I can figure. If we can creep
through to the river. undiscovered, I'll
agree to leave Mister Indian guessing
as to where we've gone"
The new note of animation in the
mans voice aroused her. but she
grasped his arm tighter.
"But-but, oh, can we? Won't they
be hiding there too?"
"It's chance that's all-but better
than waiting here for a certainty
See here, Miss Mcdonald" and he
caught her hand in his own, forgetful
of all save his own purpose and the
necessity Of Strengthening her to play
out the game, "the trend of that gulf
is to the west; except up here close
to the bluff 1t runs too far away for a
guard line. Tie Indians will be lying
out here on the open prairie; they will
creep as close in as they dare under
eover of darkness. I'll bet there are
twenty red snakes now within hun.
dred feet of us-oh, don't shiver and