The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1916-01-13

ScOTCleQ LH6lT Dare dfulS anu LOTLuIeu
their starting eyeballs, against sti-
fling atmosphere that drove them
nearer and nearer to the earth for
breath. they drew the last blade, sent
the last big pine crashing toward the
north.
The ridge was clear in the increas-
ing glow.
"Nowl" cried Sandry with the tri-
urnph of a general on victorious
field, "now for the ridge and overl"
But even as he dropped his saw and
ran, calling his men, Collins big voice
came through the rolling smoke with
the calm Of fnality.
"Ain't no over It's ninety-foot
drop on to hard rock beyond that
ridge"
Sandry stopped in his tracks. his
mead cleared as if with a Whit of salt
air by that call
The men had closed in with the in
stinct If their kind TO be together in
danger, as if so the danger were les
sened.
But the Fastener was undaunted.
"Then wen take to the East Belt"
he cried. "eyen though it is crown
fire and coming fast, think our trench
will hold it"
With all confidence he turned to the
south. Instinctively the men had
drawn in behind him. The neck of the
East Belt was a wavering wall OF
dame. He whirled and glanced back
along the fall and the trench. Long
streamers of fame were licking across
It. The half-looked-for had happened.
The little bunch of fighters were
aemmed in, ringed around by fire.
Death faced them on every side.
Then, as the owner sent searching
look to every quarter, he sprang for
ward
"Herel" he cried, here! into it,
Every man of you. In, | say!"
At the crest of the sheer ridge an
old, abandoned tunnel gaped in the
gloom, a dim haven OF refuge. Its
mouth was overhung by vines. its re-
cess mysterious in the blackness. San
dry sprang to its edge and turned back
for the men to pass. They stood. a
small, silent bunch gazing in wordless
CONSERVATION at the red canopy.
New how in hell did it get across
the fall?" said Collins hoarsely.
But one by one they stoopedNand
entered the small black hole in the
earth. 1t ran backward into the ridge.
scarce the height of a tall man. its
floor uneven with the heaps of earth
fallen from the roof since some long
forgotten prospector had carved it
out
Here for a moment they breathed
more easily, standing close together,
a sweating, painting, waiting mass OF
Sandry stood at the mouth.
the last to enter. He looked out in
hushed amaze at the unclaimed mad
ness of the burning world. The great
fire had reached it's zenith. 1t came
booming and roaring to the fall and
the trench It's sound was indescrib-
able. The heat grew until the flesh on
Sandry's arms and face rose in bis
tiers. A sheet of fame shot sheer
across the tunnels mouth. Smoke
rolled into it and here and there a
gasping breath ended in moan.
There was no air to breathe. Like
trapped animals the men jumped here
and there, feeling for an opening, a
crevice to crawl into, away from the
agony of heat and suffocation. And
then they lost control of themselves.
My God" cried Murphy shrilly, 81
can't stand ut Let me out an I'll
lie an get ut overl"
He came cropping to the entrance,
facing the increasing heat. His face
was a madman's, his mouth open. his
fingers crooked like talons. But at the
that was as the gate of hell. he
met the Fastener, a straight figure
against the light beyond
NO." said Sandry sternly, go back
and lie down"
"What?" he shrieked, what? You
Tanned Johnny You tenderfoot!
I'll" And he flung himself forward
4 smooth, black muzzle came forth and
pushed it's brazen menace into his
ace.
iii shoot the first man that at |
empts to pass me-" said Sandry
loarsely.
Raving and cursing, he backed away. |
More than one of the fourteen |
begged to be allowed to pass. and one
If the iumberjacks from Sacramento |
nuttered deliriously OF calling his |
duff But the awful moments dragged |
by and Sandry stood at the entrance. |
The flames passed all measurement of |
light and heat. He lost sight of the |
igures at his feet. He felt himself go
ng out in the darkness.
"S1etz," he muttered. little S1etz-"
When he came TO himself again. men
we're crawling across him He could /
breathe better and the light had les
;ened. He sat up wincing at the NOV
ng of lis seorched skin over the
muscles underneath, crawled out with
he rest and one by one they rose to
heir feet. The great timber of the
Cast Belt farther down stood serried
md green. The effort had not been in
rain. The holocaust was checked, the
Belt was safe.