Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1915-05-13
CHAPTER xxxlv.
Burnt Flnoers.

''Ao'8-
once she had lost touch with her a.
Tiers creatures. the girl drew rein
and went on more slowly and eau.
tiousiy.
Below her. In the valley. the lower
trail wound It's facile way. From time
to time she could discern upon soma
naked stretch OF its length a cloud OF
dust. or perhaps three mounted fr.
ures. scurrying madly on with fear Of
death swapping at their heels.
II was within an hour OF midnight.
night bell-clear and bitter cold on
the heights. and bright with moon.
light. when Alan's party made Its las,
pause and camped to rest against the
dawn. unconscious OF the fact that. q
quarter OF mile above them. on the
upper trail. lonely woman paused
when they paused and made her own
camp on the edge OF sharp declivlty.
The level shafts OF the rising sun
awakened her. She sat up. rubbed her
eyes. yawned. stretched limbs stif
with the hardship OF sleeping on I'M
yielding. sun-baked earth-and OF .
sudden started up. surprised by the
grating OF footsteps on the earth b.
hind her.
Before she could turn. however, she
was caught and wrapped In the arms
OF Hopi Jim.
She mustered all her strength and
wits and will for one last struggle
and In . frenEied moment managed to
break his hold u triie, enough to en-.
able her to snatch at the pistol hang.
Ing from her belt and present It at his
head.
But II exploded harmlessly, spend.
ing It's bullet on the blue OF the morn
ing sky. The bandit caught her wrist
IN time. thrust It aside and subjected
IL 10 such cruel pressure and such saw.
age wrenchinss that the pistol dropped
from fingers numbed with pain.
And now all hint Of mercy left his
eyes; remained only the glare OF rage.
ne put forth all his strength In turn.
ana Judith was as a child In his hands.
IN naif minute he had her helpless.
IN as much time more her back was
breaking across his knee, while he
pound her with loop after loop OF hk
rawhide lariat.
Then, leaving ner momentarily
supine on the ground. Hopi Jim caught
ana unhobbled her horse, and without
troubling to saddle It, lifted the girl
70 its back. and placed her there. face
upward. catching her hands and feet.
~ they fell on either flank Of the AMI.
maj with more loops of that unbreak.
Aoie rawhide. and deity placing the
master knot Of the hitch that bound
ms human pack well beyond posi-
oility Of her reach.
she painted a prayer for mercy. He
Ausned In her face. bent and kissed
.er orutally. and stepped back laugh
ns 20 admire his handiwork
mus he stood for an instant be-
,"een the horse and the edge Of the
,eciivity. a fair mark, stark against
ne SKY, for one who stood in the val.
ey below, holding his rife with eager
myers. waiting for just such oppor-
unity with the same impotence with
sn'cn ne had waited for It ever since
no noise Of debris kicked over the
use by the struggling man and
Voman had drawn his attention to
Fnat was going on above.
Alan pressed the trigger and the
not sounded clear in the morning
illness, Judith saw = look Of az
,'e'eo Amusement cross the face OF
Iopi Jim slade.
men ne thrsw his hands out, clawed
indy At the air. staggered. reeled
ssinst the horse's napk 20 heavily
-. II SHE'D in fright, and abruptly
aot nom sight over he edge q ~