Gilpin observer., 1916-06-29


Daily's orders and fel. to with a will.
beating out the surface flames, cutting
every sapling in sight, digging
trenches to head off any ground fires
that might be started.
But destiny was against the Dill
lingworth. The wind-"unusual," to
use that overworked word of the re-
gion truly for once-grew steadily.
and despite the trained work. for ev-
cry man knew this business. it rushed
the flames through the underground
faster than they could handle it.
Daily, black with smoke and ashes,
was everywhere. Sandry clung at his
heels. watching his methods. learn
ing everything he could. listening,
picking up, catching on with light
ming rapidity. He knew himself to
be ignorant, and where he was the
head with his interest at stake he
must make himself competent.
BY night Daily was grim and silent
hoarse with shouting. and he stamped
into the porch. where the women
watched the flames that flared red
against the night in hundred
places on the west ridge and up the
hills on both sides at the cutting.
"Sletz, honey" he rasped, I'll have to
call on you agin. They's new
one over the first shoulder toward
the East Belt-up in tn old cuttin'
Ride down to Toledo an tell 'em to
send tn town. Well need 'em all.
can't spare man-I've sent out
six to hunt tn devil behind this. an
If l ketch him I'll kill him. damn
him!"
SOM" said Ma from the shadows.
So Sletz and Black Bolt and Coos
nah Numbered down through the
darkness to save the Dillingworth.
and the heart in the girls breast was
throbbing with anxiety for Sandry-
black as Daily, and as rough looking
fighting with his lesser strength. a
Westerner at last by every sign.
By midnight the town was there
and Daily saw among the crowd Har-
ris, his old saw-filer. young Anwor-
thy and several more of those who
had deserted to the god of gold. They
kept sheepishly in the background.
but they were there for the common
good that Daily had spoken of-they
would have answered a call from a
real enemy in such a crisis. for that
is the way of the West.
Ma Daily, passing her interminable
tin cups of coffee-she had brought a
great iron kettle and boiled 1t over a
fire on the ground-stopped before
| Anworthy. the curly headed boy of
whom she was very fond. with hand
on his shoulder.
I'm mighty glad to see you. son"
she said kindly, and the young scape-
goat had the grace to blush
Destiny was against the Dilling-
worth The wind leaped and shout
ed up between the hills and by mid
night the flames suddenly leaped up
as If restraint had been removed.
Huge. red streamers flung themselves
out against the black night sky
reaching half way to the zenith
Dense clouds of smoke leaped and
bellied to the heavens. while the roar
that appalls woodsman's heart began
to sound throughout the hills.
John Daily. working like giant,
went white beneath his CRIME at
sound of 1t.
MY God!" he cried hoarsely. it's
goin away from us!"
And Sandry, halted a pace away
by that cry of despair looked upon
the first really great sight Of his life.
More men!" shouted the foreman
hoarsely. You Harris, go telephone
to Corvallis for more men,
Its done. Johnny" said Ma Daily.
painting in the light. her sleeves
rolled up from brown, capable arms,
81 sent Sletz some time back She's
callin' fer all the stations between.
The valley was as light as day. illu.
mined all up and down its length, and
three horsemen were Looping up its
level floor. Lean, 1.-the men they
were. clad in sober khaki, and they
leaped from their horses with busi-
nesslike alacrity, dropping reins over
saddle horns instead of on the ground.
Those three horses were well trained,
intelligent aids. ready to stand for
hours in one spot. to come at a
whistle. and they wanted no drag.
ging straps to hinder.
We're forest rangers" announced
the spokesman, a quick-eyed. steady
young chap. to Sandry. give me your
men"
Thank tn Lord!" said Daily fer
vently, take command"
The newcomer talked moment
with his two companions, motioning.
I dividing localities. sketching a quick
plan. Then he gathered twenty men.
putting them under one of his aides.
60 up over that ridge" he direct
ed briefly. "and cut a forty-foot fall
straight across the dip behind the
fire. Go on and cut It up over the big
ridge. Don't stop to fight"
AS the men hurried off with cross
cuts and axes. he plunged into the
4