The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-08-25
CHAPTER XIII.
Only the Hunted Know.

Only the Hunted Know.
For long time the Pearlhunter lay
wondering why the gorge didn't fall
in. Perhaps, the cliffs propped against
each other and formed a tunnel. He
wondered if he could crawl out; and
which end was the closest. The thing
puzzled him greatly. So many strange
things were happening that morning.
While he lay and wondered, another
strang thing happened the very
strangest of all.
The top of the gorge began to open
opened and let in two little patches
of sky. He kept his eyes on them
two little spots of blue set between
clouds of pink and gold. The gorge
top opened wider. He glanced at the
trees. They had quit dipping and
swimming; the ledge had quit rock
ing. He came back to the two patches
of sky; smiled oddly-they had trans
figured: had become the eyes of the
Wild Rose.
The shooting had brought her. A
far better woodsman than many
securing the hills that morning, she
could not bring herself to stay out of
the hunt after the sound of those
three shots had been borne to her
down the branch out OF the Fox Den.
She had too much at stake-and IL
was the whole Flatwoods against one
wounded man.
SHer arm was under his head, and
she was saying something. A tinge
Of crimson deepened the pink in her
cheeks when his eyes came open.
What IL he had heardl But she met
his eyes with frank directness. He
lay looking up at her long time;
trying to comprehend it all; the Won
der of it-that she was there! Grad
ually the odd smile worked itself out
of his eyes and into his lips. An an
swering smile came out of the blue
eyes above him and brought the dim
pies back where they belonged. 1t
was the first time he had seen them
so close.
And you've done what every man
of them failed to do" he said. You've
captured the Red Mask
His lips were parcf1ed: his voice
barely more than a husky whisper.
The girl was quick to notice it.
You're burning up with thristi"
statement with the force of
question. His eyes answered it. She
helped him edge a little nearer the
brink of the ledge, raised him. and
he drank out of her cupped palm.
Whether it was the cup he drank from
or the thirst that parched him. he took
no thought, but it was the sweetest
drink that ever passed his lips. She
eased him back upon the ledge, her
arm still under his head A strand of
her hair fell upon his face. She tried
to shake it off. He put up his hand
and covered it.
Her eyes dropped to his wounded
side.
Il didn't know he was the Red
Mask she said. as if in pursuance
of his first remark, till those men
came this morning"
Il did But I didn't tell YOU
That bit of cloth showed you be-
hind the books-T was afraid they'd
find it, but they didn't. I've thought
of it all morning. Her next words
were low and thoughtful. I've won
dered if ii could have been he that
hurt Daddy?"
TT was him.
The girls breath quickened. He
saw her fingers clench.
But there was much to do. Her
eyes turned again to his blood stained
garments, and she set about uncover
.ng the wounded side. There was
little enough to remove shred or
two Of tattered shirt: laying back
of the torn blouse. After the first
start at the sight of the wound she
became curiously thoughtful The
color mounted TO her face: he tried TO
meet her eyes. but they turned away.
Can you spare me for minute?"
For answer he lifted his head. She
took away her arm. eased him back
upon the rock. and he heard her light
step as she sprang around an angle Of