The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-08-16
BY ROBERT AMES BENNETT
Copyright, 1908, by
A. G. McClurg q Co.
CONTINUED from our last issue)

CONTINUED from our last issue)
Genial and sincere as was hi
tone, the familiarity Jared on heI
sensitive ear. She cOlored as she
turned from him.
| els there anything new, Mr.
Winthrope?" she asked.
I'm afraid not, Miss Gene
We've"
Just see II you've got every
thing and fix your hats" sait
Blake abruptly. We'll be in the
sun for half mile or so. Better
get on the coat, Miss Leslie. lt'i
hotter than yesterday"
Permit me-" said Winthrope.
| Blake watched while the Eng
llishman held the coat for the CIR
and rather fussily raised the col
lar about her neck and turned
back the sleeves. which extended
beyond the tips Of her fingers
The Americans face was stolid
but his glance took in every little
look and act of his companions
He was not altogether IMMERSED II
the ways of good society, and Il
seemed to him that the English
man was somewhat over-assidious
in his attentions.
"All ready, Blake" remarked
Winthrope. finally, with a las
lingering touch.
Bout time!" grunted Blake
Got the flask and cigaret cast
and the knife"
| "All safe. sir--er-ah safe
Blake"
I With due consideration fol
Winthrope's ankle-not for Win
thrope-Blake set SO slow a pace
that the half-mile's walk con
sumed over half an hour. Blu
his smoldering irritation was soor
quenched when they drew neal
the green thicket at the foot o.
the cleft. In the almost death
like stiffness of mid-afternoon, The
sound of trickling water came tt
their ears.
"A spring." shouted Blake. e
guessed right!
The others followed him eager
! ly. At the foot of the slope lay
pool, some ten yards across, ant
over-shadowed by the surround
ing trees. There was no under
brush, and the ground was tramp
led bare as floor.
by Jove," said Winthrope
see the tracks! There mus
have been a drove of sheel
about"
Deer. you mean" repliet
Blake.
Gould you not uncover tn,
brooke" asked Miss Leslie. 81
animals have been drinking herr
one would prefer cleaner water.
Sure" assented Blake. II
you're game for a climb. and car
wait a few minutes. Well get /
out of the spring ITSELF"
| Here's a place that looks lik,
path" called Winthrope, whit
had circled about the edge of tn,
pool to the farther side.
Blake ran around beside hin
and stared at the tunnel-like pas
sage which wound up the lime
stone lodges beneath the over
arching thickets.
"Odd place, is it not?" obserx
| ed Winthrope. Looks like q
fox run, only larger, you know
TOO low for deer, though
Let's get a close look"
AS he spoke. Blake stopped ant
climbed a few yards up the trai
to an overhanging ledge, four OF
five feet high. Blake laid his clut
on the top of the ledge, and wal
about to vault after it, when, di
rectly beneath his nose, he saw
the print of a great catlike paw
At the same instant deep grow
came rumbling down the go,
run" Without waiting for g
second warning, Blake crept bach
down the trail.
Get out OF the trees-into the
open!" he exclaimed In a hoarse
whisper, and as they crept away
white with dread Of the unknown
danger, he followed at their heels
What is It? What did you
see?" gasped Miss Leslie.
Footprint" mumbled Blake
Must be a leopard's den VI
there. heard q growl, and
thought 1t about time to cleaI
out"
Then we must find water else.
where" responded Miss Leslie
Might we not succeed IL we went
on to the other rfdge?"
That's the ticket! You've got
a headpiece, Miss Jenny! It's toe
late to start now. But we will &c
first thing toforrow."