Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1919-06-20


Arriving ut the place where he had
been tumbled unconscious In the drift |
he picked up the lance from the place
where he had cast II and hastily en-
tered the barn. Passing into the har-
ness room he unbound the bowie-knife |
from the handle of the rake, tossed |
the handle aside and restored the
deadly blade to its sheath upon the
wall.
Then with n sweep of his hand he
removed the bandana handkerchief
which had concealed his face, after
which he took Off the fur coat OF
the old prospector, Carr, and once
more stood revealed clad in his own
apparel.
Within the living room of the cabin
Rainface, still lay sleeping upon the
floor by the fireplace. Well advanced
in years and wrinkled as the palm of
ones hand, he slept profoundly, a light
covering over him. Through the win
dow In the lCan-to out of which John
Davis had leaped in his pursuit OF
the fleeing stranger a strong draft of
the cold mountain air came rushing,
creeping beneath the crack between
the loosely fitting door and floor of
the room. At once the temperature
of the inner room became senSibly
reduced, and rs the chill fell upon
Rainface he drew his light blanket
closer in his sleep, grew quiet again
gln
sat up. As his keen old eyes roved
about the room they apparently nlight-
cd upon something that aroused his
suspicion, for arising silently he passed
to the door leading into the lean-to.
listened knocked gently, then as there
was no response he turned the knob
ana pushed the door ajar.
Cautiously he scanned the interior.
Nobody was there and entering he
crossed the room and peered out OF
the open window. Once more moth
ing unusual met his gaze
Without IT was both showing and
blowing and through the flying flakes
he saw no disturbance of the snow
which spread the ground. Wondering
what had become of Davis he came
back into the living room. closing the
door of the lean-to behind him and
approached the door of the room ~
which Ethel slept. For n moment ne
heSitated, then raised his hand and
knocked.
Half Il mile away from the cabin
ana high up In the face of cliff.
screened from observation above by II
big oyerhang and also sheltered from
sight from the other side by lip of
ragged rock. small cave had bur
rOwed itself into the side of the noun
tain. From a tiny ledge of rock where
il had been placed, Il lantern cast its
yellow flood of light over the stone
walls and floor of the place. Stand.
ing I'm the center of the room was n
man who was smooth shaven, wrinkled
and old; the sole occupant of this
hidden retreat; the RecluSc OF MyS-
terry Mountain.
As he stood painting from his cf-
forts of the run and after detachinG
the rope by which he had gained this
place after escaping from Davis his
eyes CHANGED TO glance from the en-
trance and to the side of the precipi-
tOus descent close at hand, and an in
voluntary gasp escaped him, For down
the side of rock the body of man
was plunglng in fan that seemed
must result In certain death.
Throwing his rope in II swift turn
about a juttlng piece of rock, he
grasped both ends firmly and began
letting himself down. Reaching n
place where he could secure footing
he released the end OF the rope that
he had been paying out, and drawing
II to him threw II In loose loops over
his arm. Then running 10 the edge
of the ledge upon which he had found
time to see John bringing up In n
small avalanche of snow.
swiftly the Hermit acted Again
making his rope fast he lowered him
self 10 the pile of snow and approach
ing the PROSTATE form bent over II.
lNlnl SlElS bl lllf were NlNlnltt anu
! taking hitch around the silent figure
| he climbed back to the mouth Of his
cave and hogan hauling the limp form
up. II was difficult task ana few
men could have performed II, but the
arms of the old Hermit of the Noun.
| tain were like bars OF iron, and foot
| by foot the burden arose. Al the end
of several minutes of severe labor
the limp form was deposited upon the
| floor of the cave.
Again bending over the one whom
| he had elevated TO this place, the old
Hermit carefully examined him. The
heart was still beating and the breath
OF life was parting the lips. No bones
seemed to be broken, and after II brief
examination the Hermit Strengthened
| himself up.
ale isn't going to die he muir
INJURED. He is young and tough as
| hickory knot. He probably hlt his
| head against something in that tum'
! Bile and for the time being Is knocked
out But he will come out of II all
! right"
For moment he stood looking