The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15

~zerats would help You. TOO spoke
the hait.breed eagerly lie viii seek
be viii find for yun he win tell you.
then.tf
Nedcomprehended TINT the SPEAKER
held some pleasant memory Of iisl
uncle and was ANXIOUS to he helpful
ito him! Cast on Ills own resources
end researchess he devoted thet en-
suing week TO seeking some mining
Investment. II began to strike him as
strange, but at every turn he seemed
to come across the Indian. zerata
was unobtrusive. but he had become
positive shadow on all the move.
ments OF Ned.
One day Ned met In Ropeton
clustering typical mining prospector
uamed Burke. In some way the lat
ter had learned of the fact that Ned
had some capital to invest. He had q
uine TO sell and he invited Ned to
visit It.
Ned did not like the appearance Of
Burke, but it was a country OF rough
men and the man talked in very
plausible way OF his holdings. They
set out upon their journey, about four
days travel from Hopeton.
1t was the second night of their
camping out when Ned awoke with
start at the sound Of pistol shot.
He aroused to see Burke on his feet
and swift savage form disappearing.
Quick! follow!" shouted Burke.
you have been robbed"
Ned placed his hand at his bosom.
The package OF money was gone and
Zerata had taken 1t, for zerata, 1t was
plain to discern, was the fleeing IN.
truder.
The amazed Ned put after his com.
panion. Occasionally he heard shots
ahead. There was bright moonlight,
and after losing track OF fugitive and
pursuer Ned finally came to the edge
Of valley. Aloft thrilling spectacle
met his view.
Upon projecting rock, hundreds Of
feet above him, two men were strug-
Cling, Burke and Zerata. Both had
knives and were ctrcling about seek
ing an advantage.
In some way after murderous
Iunge at his adversary, Burke STUN.
bled, rolled to the edge of the rock
| and slid over. His frantic hands
CROPPED for a saving hold. Clutching
at handfuls of long stringy grass, no
hung suspended.
Then began strange, weird
threnody. It proceeded from the lips
of Zerata. His arms folded across
his chest, he chanted some wild strain
of death song, gazing mercilessly at
his victim, who slid, slipped inch by
inch, and then-the final catastrophe.
With a curdling shrek Burke went
down, down, dashed to pieces on
rocks far down the yawning abyss!
The Mortified Ned gained the side
OF Zerata to find him grim, resolute,
unyielding. It was by o Glow process
that he arrived at the truth. Years
before his uncle had saved the life
of the son of the halfbreed. He never
forgot it. Later in cowardly way
Burke had killed the son. Retribution
had come at lastt
Zerata had followed Ned and Burke,
knowing that the latter was plotting
to sell the former sailed" mine.
He had determined to saw the money
from the clutches of ttJ swindler.
81 was away when you left Hope.
ton," related Zerata. al heard who
was with you. l will show you real
mine You shall be rich-zerata has
said It."
The grateful fellow kept his word.
Ned Davies made good" and bonny
bride was waiting for him back home.
He tried to influence his shadow to
return with him, but the shadows Of
the great ranges were overpowering
with zerata. There he had loved and
lost his own, there he remained.
Copyright. 1914. by W C. Chapmun.9