The Elk Mountain pilot., 1919-11-06
EPISODE 3
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John Davis and Hawk Morgan. execu-
tors Of the estate Of John Carr. miner.
and Joint guardians OF his adopted daugh-
ter, Ethel. quarrel over the disposition OF
the pronts Of the mine. Morgan secretly
makes several unauccessful attempts on
the ftfe OF Davis. in one Of which the lat
ter 10 rescued by mysterious hermit.
Morgan SUMMONS . vfllainous accomplico
named Spider Dsllas and they plot to kill
Davis.
John Davis, tricked into crossing
the log which had been nearly sawed
in two by the would-be murderer.
Hawk Morgan, made a wild sideways
leap as the trunk gave way beneath
his weight. Landing in the BRANCHES
of nearby tree he went crashing
through them until by good fortune
he managed to hook one arm over
slender bough and stay his descent.
From this he hung for moment. then
as he felt his strength come back he
reached up aud grasped the limb with
his other hand. Hawk. seeing that
his Intended victim was about to save
himself, drew his weapon and fred.
The bullet half severed the limb which
gave away. and John again plunged
downward.
Had 1t not been that there were
number of nr and cedar trees pro-
jecting from the side of the steep in
cline, Davis certainly must have ended
up a dead man. As 1t was. however.
their tops through which he fell while
not rugged enough to tear him limb
from limb checked his fall greatly.
plunging at last into great mass of
snow which had avalanched down from
the ridge. Here he lay motionless, al
most completely buried one arm thrust
above the surface.
From the brink of the canyon side.
Morgan. the arch conspirator. peered
Ms the other man went crashing down
in his long fall. A wOlf-like smile
spread the watchers face.
"He's gone to glory this time, nli
right. and the girl and mine will even
tually all belong to me-"
On the other side Of the gap from
by John when the former tried to kill
him. the Spider arose from the little
ledge upon which he had fallen. little
the worse for the battle he had been
engaged in. Limping slightly and ours
ing beneath his breath he started to
cross the ravine lower down. The
noise Of Davis falling body made him
turn his head. and for an instant he
saw the other In mad tiieht. From
where he stood he WINS unable to see
the termination Of the fall. but upon
the opposite side Of the brink he saw
the figure Of his confederate. the
Hawk and waved him II salntatiOn Of
triumph over the AIccess OF their plan.
This dnne the Spider resumed his
way, his intention being to join the
Hawi upon the other side.
Mc-gan. seeing his victim end IN
mott tnless body at the bottom IF the
canton, set nbout obliternting all
tre .as ot the fnct that he had been
tnNipering with the fallen trunk Of the
pine. whereupon he began to retrace
seeing him approach. opened the door
and came forth TO greet him. Hastily
the Hawk told her OF the accident to
John. the breaking of the tree beneath
,im and his fall to death. White Of
face the girl paused only long enough
10 throw on a heavy wrap. and closely
followed by Rainface they retraced
their steps to the scene of the tragedy.
The Sndian, following with ropes and
blankets, met the Spider and was told
who he was. whereupon that rascal
reiterated the story Of Morgan and the
four hastened on to their grewsome
task Of rescuing the body.
While this had been happening the
Hermit Of the Mountain. fur dressed
and 60 hunting trip, CHANGING to pass
along the bottom Of the canyon. saw a
gun and cap lying upon the snow. In
stantly his keen eyes swept the side
u the descent, noting the broken tree
tops through which John had crashed.
Realizing that someone had fallen
through them he began casting about,
q moment later discovering the out
standing arm Of the snow-buried one.
Bending over him and finding him
senseless. the old Hermit quickly ex-
smice6 the body for signs Of life.
rinding them, he Strengthened up and
looked around.
Above him some twenty feet was q
ledge of rock from which n bowlder
projected. and unwlnding his lartat
from his body he made q cast that set
tied the moose around the bowlder.
Then fastening the loose end of the
rope about the senseless form. he as
cended the lasso hand over hand until
be stood upon the ledge. This done. It
was but the work Of a couple Of min
utes for him to hoist the recumbent
figure to his perch. Next he raised
the form of Davis to his shoulder and
bore him away. having left no clue
behind him on the snow rs to how he
Mad vanished with the unconscious
man he had found.