The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-10-27
10


heart for himself; he was seeking to per-
form perilous act without any inward
shrinking; but Jeff's request was the
greatest trial of this momentous period
In his life. This book had not left his
breast, save when he slept, for twenty
years. To give it up was like throwing
open the doors of his nature to such
weaknesses that assail and conquer
most men at some time or other in their
lives.
jeff Hyde felt, if he could not see,
the hesitation of his chief. His rough
but kind instincts told him something
was wrong In his request, and he hasten
ed to add, "Beg your pardon, sir, it
amt no matter; oughtn't to have
asked you for it. But it's just like me;
I've been chain on the leg of the White
Guard this whole tramp"
The moment of hesitation had passed
before JEFF Hyde had said half-a-dozen
words, and Jaspar Hume put the book
in his hands with the words, mo, JEFF
Hyde, take it. 1t viii bring luck to the
White Guard. Put it where l have
carried it, and keep IL safe until l come
back"
jeff Hyde placed the book in his
bosom, but hearing a cultural ''UghP'
behind him he turned round defantiy
The Indian touched his arm and said,
GOOD! Strong-back book = goodP
JEFF was satisfied.
At this point they parted, JEFF Hyde
and Gaspe TOujours remaining, and
Jaspar Hume and his two followers
going on toward Manitou Mountain.
There seemed little probability that
Varre Lepage would be found. In their
progress eastward and northward they
had covered wide areas of country,
dividing and meeting again after stated
hours of travel, but not sign had been
seen; neither earn nor staff nor any
mark of human presence.
Jaspar Hume had noticed jeff Hyde's
face when 1T was turned to the eddying
drifts of the north, and he understood
what was in the experienced hunts
mans mind. He knew that severe
weather was before them, and that the
greatest difficulty of the journey was to
be encountered. Yet, somehow, the
fear that possessed him when the book
was taken from his breast had left him,
and he reaped In his act of self-sacrifice
courage and rarer strength than that
which had heretofore stayed him on this
cherries journey. That night they
saw Manitou Mountain, cold, colossal,
harshly calm; and Jointly with that
sight there arose a shFieking, biting
fearful north wind. 1t blew upon them
IN cruel menace of conquest, in piercing
~inclemency. 1t struck 3 freezing terror
to their hearts, ana grew IN violent
attack until, as if repenting that it had
foregone its power TO save, the sun sud
denly grew red and angry and spread
out q shield of blood along the bastions
of the west. The wind shrunk back
and grew less murderous, and ere the
list red arrows shot up behind the lonely
western wall of white, the three knew
that Ahe worst of the storm had passed
and that death had drawn back for
time. What J3spar Hume thought We
shall gather from his diary; for ere ht
crawled IN among the dogs and stretched
himself out beside Jacques, he wrott
the words with aching fingers
january 10Th: Camp ga bittel
day. We are facing three fears now
the fate of those we left behind; hi.
fate; and the going back. We ar;
thirty miles from Manitou Mountain
If he is found, I should not fear at al
the return journey; success gives hope
We trust In God"
Another day passes and at night, afte
"a hard march, they camp Ave miles from
Manitou Mountain. And not sign
But Jaspar Hume knows that there is ;
faint chance OF V4rre Lepage bein;
4 81, r