The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1919-10-24

said Morgan consolingly to the still
badly frightened girl. Sending his
men back among the trees. they pres
emily reappeared bearing a good sized
log between them. Next unwrapping
their lariats from their waists, they
fastened two Of them together In order
to secure greater length Of rope, after
which the moose Of one was slipped
about the log. At further order
from Morgan the section Of tree trunk
was showed out into the stream. Eeiz-
ed upon by the current 1t was whirled
along until 1t bumped against the
house where 1t remained securely
lodged. A cry Of joy arnse from the
lips Of the watching girl.
Having regained his breath and
hearing the voice of Ethel. John sat
up. A glance showed h.m the manner
of escape which had been provided, and
sliding down the roos he seated him
self upon the log. Morgan, stepping
to the rivers brink, picked up the
rope, at the same time calling to his
| fellows:
Lend hand here. men," His three
followers Immediately seized the line
just above him.
"Now, vs. heave I" called their leader.
Removed from It's resting place by
the strain upon the rope. the log swung
Into the center Of the race, its lower
enh pointed straight for the falls, a
short distance below. Before the
strength Of the four upon the shore
lit swung slowly inward until 1t was
within dozen feet of shoal water,
and then 1t was that the Hawk ven
tured another trick in the desperate
game he was playing. Seeing that the
eyes of his companions. as well as
those Of the girl, were fastened upon
the man who straddled the log, he
drew knife from his wrist and, with
one swift move cut the rope upon
which they were hauling. Released
from its restraint, the log went
plunging on its way to the falls below.
bearing with 1t the man who once more
had been the victim of his rivals
treachery.
The scream Of the girl was close
followed by the cry of Morgan.
1.-THE rotten thing broke" Secretly
pocketing his knife, he hurled the tell
| tale rope into the stream. as II in great
anger. Down the pass, rolling, tum-
bling and leaping, the log went racing
with the man clinging desperately to 1t
until violent toss of the trunk of
the tree broke his hand-hold and he
found himself unsupported in the
midst of the leaping waves. With the
+, cataract close below him, he aban-
doned hope.
| And that he would have been lost
there can be no question had not a
seeming miracle happened. From the
brush which bounded the shore lariat
came uncoiling like a serpent through
the air, the moose settling firmly about
his shoulders. Totally unaware what
had happened, but feeling his down.
ward course suddenly checked, and
seeing the rope, the half-drowned one
seized it and pulled himself ashore.
/ Believing that the unfortunate in
the river was doomed beyond the pow
er of man to save him, those upon the
| Duuh WtHl IdIiu6 WIN tiiC othC CoAh.
What was their amaZement, moment
later, to see him whom they had given
up for lost crawling out upon the bank.
Silently they all traced the lariat to
its end, only to find 1t fastened secure
ly to a tree, and with no one in sight.
"Well, I'll be blessed Just how did
this come about, Davis?' gasped the
astonished Hawk. Quite frankly, the
one addressed admitted that he did not
know.
'I can't explain it, folks. I felt the
moose settle about me, and grabbed
the rope. l am as much puzzled as you
can be. OF course, some one threw It,
but who?"
They shook their heads stupidity.
Ralnface, watching them from near
by covert with look of satisfaction
F, In his eyes, alone could have furnished
the explanation.
| But how did we come to be locked
in that house and thrown into the
stream when you were on watch, Nor
gan?" demanded John as he fixed his
eyes steadily upon the other. The
Hawk raised a protesting hand.
'I was awakened from my sleep by
hearing some one prowling about.
Scenting danger, endeavored to catch
him, and he led me a mile away
through the darkness before he gave
me the slip. When I returned the
house was gone, and I Immediately
summoned Spider and these men. That
hermit is still up TO his old tricks"
Back they went to camp, John and
Ethel bringing up in the rear, one wet
arm about her waist.
Well in advance of the rest, and be-
yond their earshot, Morgan addressed
Blackie.
'It will be worth five thousand to
you to see to it that he permanently
disappears. The Spider and 1 have
tried time and again, but he always
bobs up serenely. Maybe you will play
in better luck" The one addressed
nodded.
"Gimme a little on account, and I'll