The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1919-08-29

their senses. At last becoming con-
scious that the day was rapidly fleet
ing, they agreed that Rainface should
take Bridget back to the cabin by
means of the tunnel, while Davis
showed the others the way he had
found into the mine through the mar
row cleft. At the entrance to it, how
ever, Morgan, saying that he was too
badly done up to go farther, sat down
to await their return; whereupon the
Spider also decided to remain behind.
Left to themselves, Ethel and John
pursued their way.
Scarcely were the lovers out of sight
than the Hawk, with a grin of triumph
at his follower, pointed to a small box
which was half covered by debris in
one corner and upon the end of which
was the brand that signified that Its
contents was gaint powder.
'aThey overlooked that little package,
which must have been left here by old
Carr when he was working the mine"
chuckled. Dragging 1t hurrledly to the
opening of the niche they attached the
fuse. Then lighting 1t, they scuttled
from the place as rats desert sink
ing ship.
Davis, CHANGING to glance back along
the narrow passage. saw the crawling
light of the fuse. Instantly scentlng
danger, he picked the girl up bodily,
swinging her out upon the edge into
the open air, threw himself after her
in such haste that he fell headlong at
her feet. AS he did so, a blast of gas
and flame came roaring from the crew
ice like the discharge from giant can
non, streaming far out over the edge
of the cliff and spewing In Its wake
volley of rocks that fell crashing into
the treetops far below. They had es-
capped being blown to eternity by ver-
table, belching volcano by the mere
matter of second and a yard.
Waiting only long enough for the
narrow passage to free Itself or the
poisonous fumes. Davis and the girl
ventured back. The entrance to the
cave was hopelessly blocked. Helpless
ly they stood staring at each other.
"We're In sweet fix" mused the
man as returning to the narrow ledge
they looked into the swimming depths
below. "Here we are marooned half
way between earth and heaven, with
walls above and below us that 1t would
take a lizard to climb. 1t looks like
it was going to be long time between
meals" A little cry from the girl in
terrupted him.
"See p she exclaimed, pointing down.
The mans glance followed her point
ing finger. Some few yards below
them, reposing where 1t had caught
Oh a slight obstruction upon the face
of the wall, was the rope which had
supported him before he fell upon this
ledge by reason of the Spiders cow
ardly grinding Of the frayed strands
apart Could the lariat be obtained
they might well hope to descend from
cleft to cleft. but with 1t lying a dozen
feet below their reach 1t seemed that
it might as well have reposed at the
bottom of the valley. The girls quick
wit came to their rescue.
perhaps we can manage 1t" she
laughed as she sat down and began
removing the lacings of her high boots.
Quickly grasplng her thoughts John
added the buckskin thongs which, ran
through his own footgear to hers, and
plucking a hatpin from her head fash
ioped it into a hook Throwing himself
prone he lowered his line, finding to his
JOY that it was of sufficient length.
Not much later he hoisted the lariat in
triumph.
Looping one end about her body, he
began lowering her to the ledge next
below, and she having safely landed
there, freed herself while he made the
upper end fast. Then sliding down
he released the upper end with deft
flip, repeating the operation from time
to time until at last they reached
footing upon which they could proceed
without further use of the llfe-saving
line. Hurrying homeward with all
speed they entered the house together.
Briefly relating their experience
while the listeners sat in amazement.
Morgan struck his open palm with his
clenched fist
''That-Hermit again. After you and
Miss Ethel left us, Bellas and I rest
ed for a moment and then came back
here by the tunnel. We did not meet
him on the way, therefore there must
be still another entrance to the tun-
mel as yet unknown to u.s." Davis,
acquiescing, changed the subject.
"Now that we have found the mine
we must go to San Francisco for men,
and supplies in order to
start work upon it at once" said he.
Morgan at once assented.
Fright. We've a good half day be-
fore US and 1 am feeling much strong
er. Suppose we start at once"
''But me?" protested Ethel. Johns
hand stole over her own.
eve are going to make a flying
trip. There is no need of your going
through the Inconvenience of the jour
ney, and you will be much more com
Portable here with Bridget and Rain
face" Still unconvinced but yielding
to his wishes she silently assented.
Approaching night found the three
still rfr1pu the trojt Hrut1 t1.ircr i'm bfs