The Benson signal., 1917-10-20


tains. Luckily, no flash had preceded
1t, and Nan, rifle in hand, slid safely
down to the end of the lean-to, where
Dc Spain helped her to the ground.
He directed her how to make a zigzag
advance toward the pine, and, above
all, to throw herself fiat and sidewise
after every shot-and not to fire
often.
In this way they advanced slowly
but safely to the disputed point and
then understood-the horses were
gone. A fresh discharge of shots came
from two directions-seemingly from
the house and the stable. A moment
later they heard sharp firing far down
the gap-their sole avenue Of escape.
They withdrew to the shelter Of a
large rock familiar to Nan even in the
dark. While De Spain was debating
In his mind how to meet the emer-
gency, she stood at his side, his equal
he knew, in courage, daring and re-
source, and answered his rapid ques-
tions as to possible gateways Of
escape. The rain, which had been
abating, now ceased, but from every
fissure in the mountains came the roar
Of rushing water, and little openings
Of rock and waterway that might have
offered a chance when dry were now
out of the question. In fact, it was
Mans belief that before morning wa
ter would be running over the main
trail itself.
"Yet," said De Spain finally, "before
morning we must be long way from
this particular spot, Nan. Sassoon
has posted men at the neck of the
gap-that's the first thing he would do.
I'll tell you," he said suddenly, as
when after long uncertainty and anx.
and hastens to follow it. Retreat is
the thing for us, Nan. Let's make for
Music mountain and crawl into our
cave till morning. Lefever will get
in here some time tomorrow. Then
we can connect with him."
Realizing that no time was to be lost,
they set out on the long journey. Ev-
cry foot of the troublesome way Of
fcred difficulties. Water impeded them
continually. Nan picked their trail.
But for her perfect familiarity with
every foot Of the ground, they could
not have got to the mountain at all.
When they got to the mountain trail
itself they found their way swept by a
mad rush of falling water, its deafen-
ing roar punctured by fragments Of
loosened rock which, swept downward
from ledge to ledge, split and thun-
dered as they dashed themselves
against the .mountainside. On a pro-
tected floor the two stood 'for a mo-
ract that had cut them off their refuge.
+ "No use, Man," said De Spain.
"There isn't any other trail, is thereY"
/: She told him there was no other.
"And this will run all night. Henry"
she said, turning to him and as If
thinking Of question she wanted to
ask, show did you happen to come to
me tonight when wanted you soW
81 came because you sent for me" "
he answered, surprised.
"But I didn't send for you"
He stopped, dumfounded. "What
do you mean, Nan?' he demanded un-
easily. 81 got your message on the
telephone last night, in my Office at
Sleepy Cat, from a man that refused
to give his name."
II never sent any message to you,"
she insisted in growing wonderment.
II have been locked in a room for
three days, dearie. The Lord knows
I wanted to send you word. Who ever
telephoned a message like that? Was
it trap to get you in here" :.
He told her the story-of the siren
uous efforts he had made to discover
the identity Of the messenger-and
how he had been baked. "No mat
ter" said Nan at last. ut couldn't
have been a trap. 1t must have been
friend, surely, not an enemy.
Henry" every time she repeated
his name De Spain cared less for
what should happen in the rest Of the
WOIlu, WudL are we SOIuS W uO uOW
We can't stay here all highland
.ake what they will greet us with in
the morning" -~.-.-..... ..~....
He answered her question with an
other: "What about crying to get out
by El Capitan?"
She started in spire Of herself. "It
would be certain death, Henry"
II don't mean at the worst to try
to cross it till we get a glimpse Of
daylight. But it's quite way over
there. The question is, Can we find
a trail up to where we want to go?"
II know two or three" she an
swered, "if they are only not flooded" j."
The storm seemed to have passed,
but the darkness was intense, and
from above the northern Superstitions
came low mutterings Of thunder. Com
PEELED to strike out over the rocks to
get up to any of the trails toward Ell
Captain, Nan, helped by De Spain
when he could help, led the ascent
Ao~x 1,.I -