Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1913-09-11

tell II was an easy way o. goin'. Looks
to me he was better of than we are
just now. Hurt much. CarrollT'
"Crunched my leg mighty bad;
can't bear no weight on 1t. Twas
darn near froZe stiff before; thet's
why l couldn't get out O. the way
quick"
Sure; well, yen have ter ride, then.
Wen take the blanket of Jim; he
won't need it no more. Brick an
kin hoof 1t yet awhile-hey, 'Brick'?"
Hamlin lifted his head from the
shelter of his horses name.
Il reckon can make my feet
move" he asserted doubtfuIly, but
they don't feel as though there was
any life left in them" He stamped
on the snow. How long do these bliz-
yards generally last, Sam?"
BLOW themselves out in about three
days"
Three days' God! We can never
live it out here"
His eyes ranged over the dim out
line of Wade stretched across the
saddle, powdered with snow, rested an
instant upon Carroll. who had sunk
back upon the ground, nursing his IN
jured limb. and then sought the face
OF WATSON.
What the hell can we do?"
60 on; thet's all of It; go on till
we drop, lad. Come, Brick my boy"
and the scout gripped the Sergeant's
shoulder. you're not the kind to lie
down. We've been In worse boxes
than this and pulled out. It's up to
you and me to make good. Let's
crunch some bareback and go on,
afore the whole three Of US freeze
stiff"
The Sergeant thrust out his hand.
That isn't what's taken the nerve
out of me, Sam" he said soberly. It's
thinking Of the girl out in all this
with those devils"
Likely as not she amt" returned
the other. tramping the snow under
his feet. I've been thinkin' bout tibet
too. Thet outfit must hev had six
hours the start o. US. didn't theyr"
Hamlin nodded
We'll, then, they couldn't ben far
from the Cimarron when the storm
come. They'd be safe enough under
the bluffs; have wood fer a fire, and
lay thar mighty comfortable. That's
whar them bucks are. all right. Why,
damn It. man. we've got to get
through. 'Tain't Just our fool lives
that's at stake. Brace up!"
How far have we comet"
"A good ten miles, an the compass
has KEEP US straight"
They drew in closer together, and
munched hard cracker apiece, occa-
sionally exchanging muttered word
or two. thrashing their limbs about
to keep up circulation, and dampening
their lips with snow. They were but
dim, spectral shapes in the darkness,
the air filed with crystal pellets,
swept about by merciless wind, the
horses standing tails to the storm and
heads dropping. In spite OF the light
refraction OF the snow the eyes could
scarcely see two yards away through
the smother. Above. about, the cease
less wind howled. its icy breath chill.
ing to the bone. Carroll clambered
stiffiy into his saddle, crying and
swearing from weakness and pain.
The others. stumbling about in the
deep snow, which had drifted around
them during the brief halt. stripped
the blanket from Wade's dead body,
and tucked 1t in about Carroll as best
they could.
Nov keep kicking and thrashins
about, George" ordered the Sergeant
sternly. For Gods sake. don't go
to sleep, or you'll be where Jim is.
Well haul you out OF this, old man.
Sam. you take the rear. and hit Car
roll whack ever few minutes; I'll
break trail. Forward! now"
GRO BE coNTINUED)