The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-04-19
This is one of The Times
Novel "a Week
series.
II will be finished in six
big installments.
Continued Fom Our Last Issue.
CHAPTER VII.
A Different Sort of Man.

L
A Different Sort of Man.
For the love of Mike!" Roar
ing Bill said again. What are
you doing wandering around in
the woods at night? Good Lord!
Your teeth are chattering. Sit
down here and get warm"
Even in her fear, born of the
night, the circumstances and part
ly OF the man, Hazel noticed that
his speech was of a different or
der from that TO which she had
been listening the past ten days.
| Il got lost" she explained,
growing suddenly calm. Il was
out walking and lost my way"
Easy thing to do when you
don't know timber" Bill remark
ed. And In consequence you
haven't had any supper; you've
been scared almost to death
and probably all Cariboo Mead
ows is out looking for you. Well,
you've had an adventure. That's
worth something. Better eat a
bite, and you'll feel better"
He dug some utensils out of
his pack layout-two plates,
knife. fork and snoons, and laid
them by the fire. Opposite the
meat pot of coffee pubbled.
How far is it to Cariboo Mead
ows?" Hazel asked.
Bill looked up from his sup
per preparations.
you've got me-" he returned,
carelessly. Probably four or
five miles. I'm not positive"
Good heavens" Hazel ex-
claimed But you know the
way"
Like a book-in the daytime, I"
he replied. But night in the
timber is another story"
He resumed his arranging of
the food while she digested this.
Presently he came back to the
subject.
You see, I'm away off my trail
here" he said. and it's all woods.
It's pure accident | happen to be
here at all. left the Meadows
at noon, and Nigger-that's this
COMPOUNDED cayuse of mine-he
had to get scared. He got away
from me, and | had to track him.
| was all for catching that horse,
so | didn't pay much attention to
where | was going. So I'm not
dead sure of my ground. But you
don't need to worry on that ac-
count. I'll get you home, all
right. Well, sit up and eat a
bite"
Before long they had satisfied
their hunger. Bill got up.
We'll, well make a move" he
said, and disappeared abuptly into
the dark.
Presently he was back, leading
three horses. One he saddled.
The other two he rigged with his
pack outfit.
There" he said, were ready
to hit the trail. Can you rider"
Il don't know" Hazel answered
obviously. Il never have ridden
a horse"
MY, my" he smiled. your
education has been sadly neglect
ed-and you schoolma am,
too"
MY walking education hasn't
been neglected. Hazel retorted.
Il don't need to ride, thank you. Z"
| ITS going to be nasty travel
ing, Miss Weir" Roaring Bill
spoke at her elbow. "I'll walk
and lead the packs. You ride
Silk. He's gentle. I'll help you
mount" y.
If Hazelhad still been inclined
to Insist on walking, she had no
chance to debate the question.
Bill took her by the arm and led
her up beside the horse.
Unused to mounting, she blum
dered at the first attempt. The
next instant he caught her under
the arms and set her gently in the
seat of the saddle.
You're such a little person"
he said. these stirrups are a mile
too long. Put your feet in the
leather above-so. Now play fol-
low your leader. Give Silk his
head"
They crossed tho small meadow
and plunged into thick woods
again. For the greater part of
the way, Hazel could see nothing.
the night seemed endless as the
wilderness itself. For what SEEM
ed to her an interminable length
of time, they bore slowly on
through timber; thus, as they
crossed a stream, and came upon
a level place beyond, Silk bumped
into the other horses and stopped.
Hazel hesitated a second. There
was no sound Of movement.
Mr.. Wagstaff!" she called,
Yours truly" his voice hailed
back, away to one side. "Ill be
there in a minute"
| In less time he appeared beside
her.
"Will you fall off, or be lifted
OFF," he said cheerfully.
| Where are WEI" she de-
manded.
ASK me something easy" he
returned. 1--WE been going 1t
blind for an hour, trying to hit a
trail that would show where | am.
It's dark. A man couldn't find his
lxxF.. 4.