The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1918-06-06
CHAPTER x-Continued.

~
on the second day they crossed the
Skeena. risky and tedious piece of
business for the river ran deep and
strong
Presently the way grew rougher. II
anything, Roaring Bill increased his
pace. He himself no longer rode
When the steepness of the hills and
canyons made the going hard the packs
we're redivided. and henceforth Satin
bore on his back a portion Of the sup
plies. Bill led the way tirelessly,
Through flies, river crossings, camp
labor, and all the petty irritations OF
the trail he kept an unruflled spirit, n
fine. enduring patience that Hazel mar
veled mt and admired. Many time,
Weakening at some slight stir, she
would find him cooking breakfast In
every way within his power he saved
her
Many n strange shift were they put
to. Once Eli had to fell great
spruce across n twenty-foot crevice. 1t
took him two days to hew it fat so
that his horses could be led over. The
depth was bottomless to the eye, but
from far below rose the cavernOus
growl OF rushing water. and Hazel
held her breath as each animal stepped
gingerly over the narrow bridge. One
miSstep-
Once they climbed three weary days
up PERCEPTIONS mountain range, and.
turned back In sight of the crest by
mn impossible cliff, were forced to
back track and swing n fifty-mile de-
tour. September was upon them. The
days dwindled in length and the nights
grew to have frosty nip.
Early and late he pushed on. Two
camp necessities were fortunately
abundant. grass and water. Even so,
the stress of the trail told on the
horses They lost flesh. The extreme
sieepncss Of succeeding hills bred gals
under the heavy packs. They grew
leg weary, no longer following each
other with sprightly step and heads
high Hazel pltied them, for she her
self was trail weary beyond words.
The vagabond instinct had fallen
asleep The fine aura of romance no
longer lowered over the venture.
Sometimes when dusk ended the
days journey and she swung her stiff
fencd limbs out OF the saddle. she
would cheerfully have foregOne all the
gold IN the North TO be at her ease
before the fireplace in their distant
cabin. with her mans head nesting in
her lap, and no toll Of weary miles
looming stprnly on the morrow's hori-
zon II was all work, trying work, the
more trying because she sensed
latent uncaSness on her husbands
part. an uneasiness she could never in
duce him to embody In words. Never
thcleSS. Il existed and she resented its
EXISTENCE trouble she could not
share. But she could not put her fin
ger on the cause, for Bill merely smiled
4 denial WHOM she mentioned 1t.
Nor did she faihom the cause until
upon n certain day which fell upon
The end OF a weeks wearisome traverse
Of the hardest country yet encountered.
They broke out of q canyon up
which they had struggled all day onto
n level plot where the pine stood in
sOmber ranks. A spring creek split the
flat In two. Beside this tiny stream
BIN unlashed his packs. It still lacked
two hours Of dark. But he made no
comment, and Hazel forbore to trouble
him with questions. Once the packs
were Off and the horses ut liberty, Bill
caught up his rifle.
Come on, Hazel" he said. Lets
take little hike"
The fiat was small, and once clear
of II the pines thinned out on n steep.
rocky slope so that westward they
could overlook a vast network of can
yons and mountain spurs. But ahead
Of them the mountain rose to an up
standing backbone of jumbled granite,
and on this backbone Bill Wagstaff
bent an anxious eye. Presently they
sat down on a bowder to take
breathing spell after a stiff stretch Of
climbing. Hazel slipped her hand In
his and whispered:
"What is It. Bllly-boy?"
'Tm afraid we can't get over here
with the horses" he answered slowly.
"And If we can't find q pass Of some
kind-well, come on! 1t isn't more
than a quarter Of mile to the top"
Just short Of the top Bill halted, and
wiped the sweat out Of his eyes. And
Us he stood his gaze suddenly became
Fixed. a concentrated stare at n point
northward. He raised his glasses
"By thupderw he exclaimed. "I be-
lieve-it's me for the top"
He went up the few remaining yards
with haste that left Hazel painting
behind Above her he stood balanced
on bowlder, cut sharp against the
sky. rr,l she reached him just as he
lowered the field glasses with a sigh |
Of relief. His eyes shone with exul-
fatlon.
@Come on up on the perch" he In
vted. and reached forth long, mus