The Elk Mountain pilot., 1920-01-22

meu UuCk among tne Cee3, tney pfe8-
emily reappeared bearing q good sized
Jog 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. Seix-
ed upon by the current 1t was whiried
along until 1t bumped against the
house where 1t remained securely
lodged. A cry Of joy arose from the
lips Of the watching girl.
Having regained his breath and
hearing the voice Of Ethel, John sat
up. A glance showed him the manner
Of escape which had been provided. and
sliding down the roof 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 a hand here, men," His three
followers Immediately seized the line
just above him.
snow, 70 heave I" called their leader.
Removed from its resting place BY
the strain upon the rope. the log swung
into the center Of the race, Its lower
end pointed straight for the falls,
short distance below. Before the
strength Of the four upon the shore
1t swung slowly inward until 1t was
within a dozen feet OF shoal water,
and then It was that the Hawk YEN
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 a 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 It 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.
'"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 tho
cataract close below him. he aban-
doned hope. =
And that he would have been lost
there can be NO question had not .
seeming miracle happened. From the
brush which bounded the shore lariat
came uncoiling like q 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
bank went racing with the stream.
What was their amnzement. 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, III be blessedf Just how did
this come about, Davis1" sasped the
astonished Hawk. Quite frankly, the
one addressed admitted that he did not
know.
II can't explain It, folks. felt the
moose settle about me, and grabbed
the rope. am as much puxxled as you
can be. OF course, some one threw 1t,
but wh07"
They shook their heads stupidly.
Rainface, watching them from near
by covert with look OF satisfaction
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.
ganf" demanded John as he fixed his
eyes steadily upon the other. The
Hawk raised a protesting hand.
II 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 returned the
Aou1o Wa1s goAe. and 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.
ut will be worth nve thousand to
you to see to 1t that he permanently
disappears. The Spider and I have.
tried time and again, but he always
bobs up screnely. Maybe ycr Will play