The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1919-07-10

have crossed the gap, then III take
the ridge while you 60 up the valley.
We must time ourselves so as to get
hack before dark
"All right" assented Davis, and
side by side they started off.
Along the mountainside they went
until they reached a ravine which was
of considerable depth save at one
point where an overhanging shoulder
of the rock met q somewhat similar
jut on the other side. At this point
the gap was narrowed to distance
which could be bridged by a fallen
tree, and in fact as they arrived upon
its edge they saw that a PROSTATE
pine, of a size that would easily bear
the weight Of man, traversed 1t from
edge to edge. They paused before It,
scanning it with care.
1T will take us over easily enough"
laughed the Hawk. "However, you
had better let me go ahead SO II any
thing should happen 1t would be me
instead Of you that took the tumble"
mighty decent Of you, Morgan, but
I don't want anybody to take any risk
on my account" returned Davis. But
pushing the other good-naturedly
aside the plotter mounted the trunk
and balancing himself with his arms,
crossed In safety. John followed him
with equal ease.
Upon the other side they separated,
Morgan going up the ridge at the left
and John pursuing his way straight
on and keenly surveying the land
scape about. He had accomplished
but a short distance when he saw the
form Of Spider Bellas standing beside
a tree, and suspicious that this might
be the unknown stranger who was
plotting against his life, John drew
his gun and ordered him to throw up
his hands. But darting 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 and taking his place behind
tree sat down to watch the end Of the
man whose existence bid fair to
thwart his evil designs.
Darting amongst the trees with sur
prising swiftness Of foot, the Spider
was upon the point of eluding the pur-
suing Davis when he stumbled and
fell headlong. Close before him was
q rift deep and steep, and in the very
act of being precipitated down 1t
where he would have fallen mangled
CORPSE almost at the foot Of his wait
ing confederate, the hand Of John
leaped forward and dragged the other
to his feet and safety.
"Who are you?" he demanded al
they faced each other.
The reply of the one who had just
been saved from death was blow In
the face. Taken wholly by surprise,
the rescuer was nearly knocked from
his feet, but quickly recovering his
balance closed with his treacherous
enemy. Still partially dazed by the
blow John fought flercely, but the
other securing a 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.
It 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 It the
Hawk arose from his seat and well
coined him.
Better hurry or we will be caught
out here in the mountains after cur
few, he warned, and with nod the
unsuspicious one stepped upon the
now nearly sawed through tree. he
had taken but a few steps when
warning crack startled him, and with
the trunk slowly bending beneath his
weight he turned in a desperate ef-
fort to again reach terra firma. But
before he could regain it the treach-
erously cut support gave way and the
trunk began rushing down. Knowing
that to fall with it meant death, John
leaped sideways into an overhanging
tee. Clutching wildly at the branches
as he sought to stay his fall, by great
good fortune he finally checked himself
and brought up hanging to limb by
one arm. Slowly, painfully he grasped
the supporting branch with his other
h.-l ,,,I horon TO Trow himself IN