The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1919-07-17

ure, the only Key TO whose iocatloIi 10 u
chart flag, divided years before among
six men who sought the gold. Polly and
Dick have one flag and Scarface another.
lie kills Polly's father for her flag and
sta ia after the treasure. Other f1ag-hold-
ers join Dick and pursue Scarface across
the desert. They are trapped on noun
tain trail and huge bowlder roll I'd down
on their automobile.
1t was a most terrible struggle In
which the might of q man was pitted
against one of the great forces of ma
ture-gravity. Desperately Dick cast
his eyes about in search of something
which he could use to assist him In
the unequal combat-a stout piece Of
wood which he could seize and use as
prop or, lever, but nothing was at
hand. Nor was there any smaller
rock which he might employ as an OBJ
stacle to stay the enrolling of the
mass which was seeking to 30 plung-
ing down the narrow trail, sweeping
those who were beyond into the ter
rifle abyss or crushing them into
shapeless masses against the wall of
the cliff. Thought of Polly gave him
the strength of giant, and burying
his feet in the loose rubble of the
trail he bent his back into bow as
he fought the increasing momentum
of the monstrous engine of death
which had been loosed from its rest
ing place in the mountuinside by the
ingenious cruelty of the bloodthlrsty
gang who were opposed to himself
and those who followed him. In the
very nature of things unless he could
stay its advance, in the end 1t must
Oyerwhelm him and go rushing upon
its course, for as the seconds fled his
strength must grow less with each
fleeing moment, while In the very ma
ture Of things every foot the jugger-
naut gained upon him but added to Its
momentum. Great drops of perspira-
ton burst from his forehead and his
muscles stood ont like whipcords as
with set teeth he threw every ounce
of his great strength into the I'M
equal combat
Exerting every ounce of his fast
ebbing strength, Dick just managed to
keep the bowlder from crushing him
down and sweeping to their death his
companions trapped in the narrow
trail beyond. But despite his efforts
the huge mass of rock was slowly
gaining momentum and gradually
forcing him to his knees. Polly and
the others, huidled on their horses
against the side of the cliff, were I'M
able to help him or themselves. AS
If realizing that the end was near,
Dick cried In IN agonized voice:
Get back I can't hold 1t much
longer"
Polly, at his words, whipped up her
horse to help Dick or to meet death
with him, but Stebb.ns seized the
bride and held her back. Tomas, the
Indian, alone remained cool. Leaping
from his horse, iasso in hand, he ran
to Dick and with words of encour-
agement, climbed the cliff and out on
a tree stump which projected out~o
the bowlder. Preparing his lasso, he
shouted:
"Raise right hand"
Dick had no idea as to what was
passing through the mind of the Ill
dian, but knowing HIN to be man
of great GOODNESS and strength felt q
new rush of might sweep over him at
the prospect of having assistance In
this hour of desperate need. In fact
80 nightly was he refreshed at the
appearance of Tomas at this most
critical of all instants that for n sec.
ond he found himself able to hold the
bowlder Mt bay. Behind him he heard
the voices of Polly and Teel as they
sharply addressed their frightened
animals that In great terror of the
threatening monster were prancine
perllously upon the very brink of the
abyss. In fact 1t was all that the
pair could do to keep their horses
from plunging downward to certain
death.
Dick, straining every muscle and
unable to keep the bowlder from gain
ing on him, heard the voice and
obeyed mechanically. A second later
and the moose of the lasso dropped
over his neck and shoulders.
LET go-jump!" again commanded
the Indian. Dick relaxed his strength
and leaped, aided by the pull ON the
lhsso. The bowlder, thus released
sprang forward, pushing Dick rough
iy aside, and crashed over the edge Of
the trail Just t-sfore 1t reached Dicks
companions.
1t had been miraculous escape and
Z those who had been saved by Dicks
Quickness and terrible struggle, shud
dered as they listened to the massive
ynolr NO crushing far down the sides d,