The Washington herald., 1915-11-14
Fighting a Mountain.
by JOHN ID. BARRY.
(1n Three Pzrts-Parf IIl

lin Three Pzrts-Part III
Somehow for the next few minutes my two
companions and ] were estranged Each of us
was blaming the other for his plight For we knew
that we were surrounded with precipces, with
seemingly impossible places, hemmed in, captured.
Naturally, / felt that was innocent
absurd
to find it?
And before we found the way, perhaps also
when we had found it. there would be many
precipices to leap. After experience with that
other precipice, they might expect me to go first.
l determined to refuse. There was such a
thing as carrying courtesy too far. If l was to
be considered tenderfoot would insist on hav-
ing the privileges.
Incidentally, my mind was active in looking
for the bones or other traces Of that had per-
ished here, foolish adventures.
If | could only write just one more article, it
should be on the ruggedness of the California
mountains.
Presently l overlook my two companions.
They were gazing into deep shelf that curved
under feet to a road in the distance, with that
silver stream beyond.
One leap would take US into that road 1t
would also take into another world
Even to my companions it clear that the
gain would not balance the loss
Tom pointed to a ledge of rock that al
most perpendicularly from the side of the noun
tain. | had noticed it with some concern. / knew
eff we could only crawl over that rock" he
said, 81 think we'd strike trail on the other
side"
felt as if had stopped breathing.
My release might be speedy. by way of heart
disease.
And yet didn't really believe Tom would try
it. But just | was beginning to breathe again
he clambered like a cat over to that ledge. And
like cat he climbed half way up. Then his foot
slipped.
1t was an awkward moment.
Instantly, Tom was on his stomach, both legs
from his knees. hanging over the ledge. He was
slipping, slowly and steadily.
Inn and I saw Tom dig his fingers into the
soil. The slipping ceased. For long time Tom
lay there, motionless. He was gathering strength
and gluing himself to the ground by force of will
Then he Tfted his light hand and dug into the
earth an inch or so above. Now he was moving
trifc more rapidly. The left hand went up. with
the left leg, which rested on the top Of the ledge
At any moment he might slip. But he kept
going At last he reached the branch of a tree
and he seized it. He lay motionless for long
time.
We could sec him painting.
had never admired him SO much. Then and
there forgave him for his share in getting us into
this scrape.
Presently he rolled over on his back. His face
was white and his eyes were staring But there
was little smile on his lips.
CLOSE callr' he said. without looking at us.
A few minutes later he was back with US by
roundabout route. Perhaps we'd better change
orr plans" he said.
We treated him as people treat those who
come out of a dangerous illness. We wanted to
reassure ourselves that he was still with us. 1T
gives you kind of twist" he said
At this moment Jim exclaimed Look! There's
a man down there"
Into the center of the stream man had driven
a horse and wagon. The horse was leaning for
On taking in the sight, had moment of i'm
mense relief. 1t was followed by disappointment:
For saw that the man could not get us out OF
our scrape. He belonged to world we were al
ready barred from, world of level grades, OF Sc
curity, of peace.
vious eye. Little did he know how fortunate he
was, leading his simple life free from danger. He
had home somewhere, water to drink food to
eat, bed to sleep in.
But while had voice in my throat that man
should not 60 undisturbed.
Our combined voices reused him.
He looked up in pleased surprise
l thought could see him smiling at our pre-
dieament.
It was a long time before we could make that
man take what seemed like an intelligent and
humanitarian interest in rs. In unison, again and
again. we called out: where's the trail'"
voice. ~. came n the words: "fhe' amt no trail'
It was as If the court had denied our applea-
ton for reprieve.
When we recovered from this blow Tom had
the strength to lift his voice again. In prolong-
ed cry he said: (which wayP
The farmer caught the question. He waved
his hand toward our right
Then he waved both hands to indicate that
first we must go way back.
In other words we must climb high before we
could descend again.
"We have no time to lose," said Jim with reso-
luton. "Its a race now with the SUM-"
l knew what he meant. On the sun, shining
in our faces, l turned troubled gaze. Never had
it seemed so beautiful, so friendly and yet so