The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-11-04
CHAPTER Ii-continued.

-
That night. before the darkness had
gathered too deep, they selected the
site of their house on the very bench
that McCrae had indicated. 1t was
about an acre I'm extent, and stood
halfway between the prairie level and
the bottom OF the coulee, where
small river was now running.
1t was quite dark when they sought
the cover of their little tent, and the
wolves were bowling far down the ra-
vine.
Presidently they were startled by a
crashing noise, as Of some big ami
mails rushing upon them through the
pOplars, and the horses, I'm headlong
haste. almost swept over their sleep
ing place.
"That wolf howl put the fear into
the silly brutes," said Harris, speak
ing calmly, although his own flesh was
creeping just little. II suppose
they've ripped their tether ropes to
pieces. Well. well tie them down
here, where they'll have company"
And he led them back short distance
into the bushes.
A moment later, suddenly. as If con-
geaied out of thin air, on the bank
right above them, silhouetted against
the dim light In the western sky, stood
a horse and rider. Instantly Harris
mind came a warning of McCrae:
"Sleep with one eye open when your
horses are tethered out"
Harris had no proof that the strange
rider was horse thief, but 1t struck
him at the moment that the terror of
the horses might not have been due al
together to wolves.
He stole silently toward the tent.
There was a gun there, loaded with
shot for any possible game on the prai-
RE. AS he moved in the deep dark
ness of the valley he stumbled over a
root and fell. The same moment came
a flash of light on the bank, and Har-
ris heard the "thuk" of a ball bury
ing itself in the sod. He lay perfectly
still The stranger peered into the
darkness for a full minute; then, dis
mounting, began to come cautiously
down the hillside. Harris would have
rushed for his gun, but he feared to
reveal the whereabouts of his wife. So
he lay still, and the stranger came
on. the CLINT of his gun barrel showing
I'm the darkness. 1t was evident he
thought his bullet had found its mark,
and he proposed still to possess HIM
self Of the horses. But he was taking
no chances. Presently he discerned
Harris body on the ground, and again
raised his gun to his shoulder. Har-
ris lay I'm an agony of suspense, pray
ing that the aim would be faulty, and
that his assailant would advance I'M
I'll he could spring up and disarm him.
Then came another flash, loud re-
port, n yell from the intruder, who
half fell to earth then scrambled to
his feet, rushed up the bank, pulled
himself somewhat Imply on his horse,
and rode into the darkness.
"Oh, Jack, are you killed." cried
the girl, rushing in his direction.
"Not even hurt" he answered; and
she tainted in his arms.
He carried her to the tent and APP
piled water to her forehead. As he
was engaged In restoring her his hand
fell on his gun. The barrel was hot.
He raised her face to his, and kissed
her again and again.
In the morning they found few
drops of blood on the grass at the top
OF the bank.
Harris and his wife allowed them
selves no time for nerve strain over
the experience Of their first night on
their homestead. The next morning,
after caring for their cows, they
hitched the horses to the wagon, took
an ak, a saw, their gun. and lunch,
and set out for the valley, returning
late at night with sufficient logs and
poles for the framework of their house
and stable. The next day construc-
tlon was commenced. Four stout posts
were set on end, enclosing a rectangle
1Zx1B feet. The tops Of the posts were
connected by logs laid upon them,
dovetailed at the corners after the
fashion OF woodsmen, and held in po-
siuou by wooden pins driven In auger
holes. Lengthwise along the center,
to form a ridge pole, another stout
log was laid and the whole framework
supported by additional posts. among
which were two on the east side to en-
close the door. Small poles were then
placed on end. sloplng slightly In
wards and resting against the plate
logs. Similar poles were laid from
the plate logs to the ridge pole to sup
port the roof.