The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1915-05-08

upOu tiSlI lGduCT anu UUI6 Ian uONi
upon his back.
ITO the tiger with him"
Now" cried Bruce.
He flung the rope from his hands
caught Kathlyn by the arm, and, run
ming and stumbling, they gained the
cave, either ignored or unobserved by
the victorious brigands.
They dragged the stunned leader to
his feet and hailed him to the cage
flashing him to a wheel Next, they
seized the rope which operated the
door and retired to the mouth of the
cave.
Rob us, would he!"
Take the lions share when we did
all the work."
"Swine,"
Il will give it all to you," whined
the whilom chief, mad with terror.
And knife us in the back when we
sleep! No, no. You have kicked and
cuffed us for the last time!"
Bruce picked up one of the rifles and
drew Kathlyn farther into the cave.
| Get behind me and crouch low.
They'll come around to us presently"
The rascals gave the rope a savage
pull, and from where he stood Bruce
could see the lean striped body of the
furious tiger leap to freedom.
Keep your eyes shut. 1t will not be
a pleasant thing to look at" he warned
the girl.
But kathlyn could not have closed
her eyes If she had tried She saw the
brute pause, turn, and strike at the
helpless man at the wheel, then lope
off, doubtless having in mind to test
his freedom before he fed.
The remaining brigands rushed out
and gathered up the bags of rupees.
This was the opportunity for which
Bruce had waited.
Come. There may be some outlet
to this cave. Here Is another rifle.
Let US cut for it! When thieves fall
out; you know the old saying"
They ran back several yards and
discovered a kind of chasm leading
diagonally upward.
Thank God! We can get out of this
after all. Are you strong enough for
stiff climb"
I've got to be-John!"
Trust me, Kathlyn," he replied SIM
ply. He had but one life, but he de-
termined then and there to make it
equal or outlast the six lives which
stood between him and liberty.
The brigands, having succeeded in
their mutiny, bethought themselves of
their prisoners, only to find that they
had vanished Familiar with the cave
and its outlet, they started eagerly in
pursuit. They reasoned that if an old
man was worth three bags of rupees,
two young people might naturally be
worth twice as much. And besides,
being tigers. they had tasted blood.
A shout caused Bruce to turn. In
stantly he raised his rifle, and pulled
the trigger The result was merely a
snap. The gun had not been loaded.
He snatched Kathlyn's rifle, but this,
too, was useless. The brigands yelled
exultantly and began to swarm up the
ragged cliff. Bruce flung aside the
gun and turned his attention to a
boulder. Half way up the chasm had
width which was little broader than
the shoulders of an ordinary man. He
waited till he saw the wretches within
a yard or so of this spot, then pushed
the boulder. 1t roared and crashed
and bounded, and before 1t reached
the narrow pathway Bruce had started
mate to it. Then a third followed.
This caused terrific slide of rocks
nd boulders, and the brigands turned
Tor their lives.
That will be about all for the pres
ent,' said Bruce, wiping his forehead.
Now II we can make that village we
shall be all right. Bala Khan's men
VIII not leave with the camels till they
learn whether we are dead or alive. It
VIII be hard trek, Miss Kathlyn. Ten
miles over sand is worse than so over
turf. | don't think we'll see any more
OF those ruffians."
"Kathlyn," she said.
"Well-Kathlyn!"
Or, better still, at home they call
me Kit"
They smiled into each others eyes.
and no words were needed. Thus
quickly youth discards it's burdens!
That he did not take her into his
arms at once proved the caliber of the
man. And Kathlyn respected him
none the less for his control. She
knew now. and she was certain that
her eyes had told him as frankly as
any words would have done; and she
fell into his stride. strangely embar.
raised and not little frightened. The
firm grasp of his hand as here and
there he steadied her sent thrill of
exquisite pleasure through her.
Love! She laughed softly; and he |
stopped and eyed her in establishment.
what Is it,"