Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1916-03-02


the discovery that n,e roulette wheel was
warped
Very gently and circumspectly he
continued on his way until two-thirds
Of the distance was covered. Here he
stopped to examine a depression he
must cross. at the bottom Of which
was a fresh crack Smoke watching.
saw him glance to the side and down
into the crevasse itself and then begin
a slight swaying
Keep your eyes upv' Smoke com
manded sharply. Now, go on
The little man obeyed nor faltered
oil the rest of the journey. The sun
eroded slope of the farther edge of the
ereyasse was slippery, but not steep,
and he worked his way up TO mar,
row ledge, faced about and sat down
Your turn" he called across. But
just keep a-coming, and don't look
down. That's what got my goat Just
keep a-coming, that's all. And get a
move on. It's almighty rotten"
Balancing his own stick horizontal
ly. Smoke essayed the passage. That
the bridge was on its last legs was
patent. He felt Jar under foot, a
sAglit movement OF the mass and a
heavier jar. This was followed by a
single sharp crackle. Behind him he
knew something was happening. If
for no other reason he knew IL by the
strained, tense face of Carson From
nd fat
muir OF running water. and Smokes
eyes involuntarily wavered to a
glimpse of the shimmering depths. He
jerked them back TO the way before
him.
Two-thirds over he came to the de
preston. The sharp edges Of the
crack, but slightly touched by the sun,
showed how recent it was. His foot
was lifted TO make the step across
when the crack began slowly widen
ing, at the same time emitting numer
Gus sharp snaps. He made the step
quickly, increasing the stride OF it, but
the worn nails OF his shoe skated on
the farther slope Of the depression
He fell on his face and without pause
slipped down and into the crack. his
legs hanging clear, his chest supported
by the stick, which he had mana ged
to twist crosswise as he fell
His first sensation was the nausea
caused by the slckening upleap OF his
pulse; his first idea was of surprise
that he had fallen no farther Behind
him were cracking and jar and move
ment, to which the stick vibrated
From beneath. In the heart of the Ella
cier, came the soft and hollow thunder
Of the dislodged masses striking bot
tom. And still the bridge. broken
from its farthest support and ruptured
In the middle, held. though the portion
be had crossed tilted downward at n
pitch of twenty degrees.
He could see Carson, perched ON his
ledge, his feet braced against the melt
Ing surface. swiftly recoiliug the rope
from his shoulders to bis hand
Watt" be cried. Don't move. or
the whole shooting match will come
DOWN.
He calculated the distance with n
quick glance, took the bandanna from
his neck and tied 1t to the rope and
increased the length by a second ban
danna from his pocket. The rope.
manufactured from sled lashings and
short lengths OF plated rawhide knot
ted together. was both light and
strong. The first cast was lucky as
well as deft and Smokes fingers
clutcbed H. He evidenced hand
over hand intention Of crawling out of
the crack. But Carson. VINO had re.
fastened the rope around bis own
waist. stopped him
MAKE it fast around yourself as
well" he ordered.
IF go III take you with me-"
Smoke objected
The little man became very peremp-
tory
You shut up he ordered
If ever start going" Smoke be
gan
-Shut up! Yon amt going to ever
start going. Now do what / say
That's right under the shoulders
Make IL fast. Now start Get a move
on. tut easy as you go. IN take In
the slack You just keep a-coming
That's H. Easy. easy"
Smoke was still a dozen feet away
when the final collapse Of the bridge
began. without noise. but In jerky
way. Il crumbled an increasing tilt
Quick Carson called. c0lling I'm