The Elk Mountain pilot., 1919-10-30


hack before dark"
"All right" assented Davis. ant
side by side they started or.
Along the mounfainside they went
until they renched ravine which was
of considerable depth save at one
point where an overhnnging shoulder
Of the rock met somewhat similar
jut on the other side. Al this point
The gap was narrowed TO distance
which could he bridged by II falleL
tree. and in fact MS they arrived upon
its edge they saw that a PROSTATE
pine. Of size thar would easily bear
the weight Of man. traversed 1t from
edge TO edge They paused before It.
scanning II with care.
at will take us over easily enough
laughed the Hawk. However. you
had better let me go ahead SO II any.
thing should happen II would be-. me
instead of you that took the tumble
Mighty decent of you. Morgan. but
don't want anybody TO take any risk
on my account" returned Davis. But
pushing the other good-nnturedly
aside the plotter mounted the trunk
crossed in safety. John followed him
with equal ease.
Upon the other side they separated.
Morgan going up the ridge nj the left
and John pursuing his way straight
on and kecnly surveying the land
scnpe about. He had accomplished
but a short distance " ,en he saw the
form of Spider Bellas stumbling beside
n tree. and suspicious that this might
he the unknown stranger who was
plotting against his life. Jol.I drew
his gun and ordered him to throw up
his hands. But dartlng behind the
tree like weasel the Spider darted
away. with John in hot pursuit.
Barely waiting until John was out
OF sight the Hawk returned TO the
tree. Hastily drawing his small shovel
and saw from their places of conceal
ment he fell to work upon plan that
promised to forever rid the world Of
the rival whom he hated with all his
rats soul. For ten minutes he worked
with desperate energy. then with his
task finished to his satisfaction he
covered all traces Of his efforts with
snow md taking his place behind a
tree sat down to watch the end Of the
man whose existence bid falr to
thwart his evil designs.
Darting amongst the trees with sur
pr.sing swiftness Of foot. the Spider
was upon the point Of eluding the pur-
suing Davis when he stumbled and
fell hendlong. Close before him wns
a rift deep and steep. md in the very
act of being precipifated down II
where he would have fallen n mangled
corpse almost at the foot of his whit
ing confederate. the hand of John
leaped forward md dragged the other
to his feet md safety.
"Wbo are you?" he demanded a.
they faced each other.
The reply of the one who Ind tii~t
been saved from death was a blow in
the fnce. Taken wholly by surprise.
the rescuer was nearly knocked from
his feet, hut quickly recovering his
balance closed with his trencherons
enemy. Still partially dnzed by the
blow John fought fercely. hut the
other securing favorable hold threw
him heavily. For moment they
rolled upon the edge OF the descent.
Then John having regained his
strength lifted his foe in his arms and
hurled him over the edge. Breathless
from his efforts the victor stood look
ing at the place where the other had
disappeared.
Seeing that the other had vanished
from the scene. John glanced about.
II was growing dark and remembering
that he was to meet Morgan before
night fell he retraced his steps to the
fallen pine. As he reached II the
Hawk arose from his seat and wel-
coined him.
"Retter hurry or We Will he caught
ont here In the mountains after cur
few. he warned and with q nod the
unsuspicious one stepped upon the
now nearly sawed through tree. He
had taken hut few steps when a
warning crack startled him. and with
the trunk slowly bending beneath his
weight he turned n q desperate e.
fort to again reach terra flrIna. But
before he could regain II the treach-'
erously cut support gave way and the
trunk began rushing down. Knowing
that 10 fall with It meant death. John
ieaped sideways into an ov<rhanging
tree. Clutrhing wildly at the branches
as he sought to stay his fall. by great
good fortune he finally checked h'mself
and brought M hanging to limh by
one arm. Slowly. painfully he grasped
the supporting branch with his other
hand and begnp to draw himself up
ward.
From the opposite side NJ fhe ""o
the Hawk saw THAT his victim whs
about to save himself and drawing
hIs revolver Ievelod II Mt the clinging
man
There was flash and rOar. and
the frail bough cut hy the bullet broke