Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1919-09-25

badly frightened girl. Sending his
men back among the trees, they pres
emily reuppeared beuring u good sized
log between them. Next unwrapping
their lariats from their waists. they
fastened two of them together In order
to secure greater length of rope. after
which the moose of u was slipped
about the log. At a further order
from Morgan the section Of tree trunk
vas showed out into the stream. Seiz.
ed upon by the current 1t was whirled
along until 1t bumped against the
house where 1t remained securely
lodged. A cry Of Joy arose from the
lips of the watching girl.
Having regained his breath and
hearing the voice Of Ethel. John sat
up. A glance showed him the manner
of escape which had been provided. and
sliding down the roof he seated him
self upon the log. Morgan, stepping
to the rivers brink. picked up the
rope. at the same time calling to his
fellows:
"Lend a hand here, men," His three
followers Immediately seized the line
just above him.
snow, 20 heave!" called their leader.
Removed from its resting place by
the strain upon the rope, the log swung
into the center of the race, It's lower
end pointed straight for the falls, a
short distance below. Before the
strength Of the four upon the shore
1t swung slowly inward until it was
within u dozen feet Of shOal water,
and then it was that the Hawk VEN
tured another trick in the desperate
game he was playing. Seeing that the
eyes of his companions, as well as
those of the girl, were fastened upon
the man who straddled the log, he
drew u knife from his wrist and, with
one swift move cut the rope upon
which they were hauling. Released
from its restraint, the log went
%plunging on its way to the falls below,
bearing with 1t the man who once more
had been the victim Of his rivals
treachery.
The scream Of the girl n close
followed by the cry Of Morgan.
"The rotten thing broke" Secretly
pocketing his knife. he hurled the tell
tale rope into the stream. as II in great
anger. Down the pass, rolling, tum-
bling and leaplng, the log went racing
with the man cllnging desperately to 1t
until q violent toss Of the trunk OF
the tree broke his hand-hold and he
found himself unsupported in the
midst Of the lenping waves. With the
cataract close below him, he aban-
doned hope.
And that he would have been lost
there can be 10 question had not a
seeming miracle happened. From the
brush which bounded the shore Il lariat
came uncoiling like a serpent through
the air, the moose settling firmly about
his shoulders. Totally what
had happened, but feeling his down.
ward curse suddenly checked. and
seeing the rope. the half-drowned n
seized 1t and pulled himself ashore.
Believing that the unfortunate In
the river was doomed beyond the pow
er Of man to ave him, those upon the
bank went racing with the stream.
What was their Amusement, u moment
later, to see him whom they had given
up for lost crawling out upon the bank.
Silently they all traced the lariat to
Its end, only to find II fastened secure.
ly to a tree, and with no one in sight.
"Well, I'll be blessed! Just how did
this come about, Davls?" gasped the
astOnished Hawk. Quite frankly, the
one addressed admitted that he did not
know.
~ cant explain it., folks. I felt the
moose settle about me. and grabbed
the rope. l am as much puzzled as you
can be. or course, some one threw 1t,
but whu?"
They shook their heads stupidity.
Rainfsce, watching them from Il near
by covert with a look Of satisfaction
in his eye alone could have furnished
the explanation.
But how did we come to be locked
in that house and thrown into the
stream when you were on watch, Nor
gun?" demanded John as he fixed his
eyes steadily upon the other. The
Hawk raised a protesting hand.
II a awakened from my sleep by
hearing some n prOwling about.
Seeming danger, l endeavored to catch
him, and he led me a mile away
through the darkness before he gave
the slip. When l returned the
house was gone, and I Immediately
summoned Spider and these e That
hermit is still up to MS old tricks"
Back they went to camp. John and
Ethel bringing up In the rear. n wet
arm about her waist.
Well In advance of the rest. and be-
yOnd their earsh0t, Morgan addressed
Blackie.
ut will be worth five thousand to
you to see to it that he permanently
disappears. The Spider and I have
tried time and again. but he always
hobs up serenely. Maybe you will play
In better luck" The one addressed
nodded.
Gimme q little on account. and I'll
take a whirl at him." Pocketing the
roll of bills which the other slipped to
him. Blackie touched his cap and start.
ed for the sleeping place Of the crew.
They found the camp In great excite.