The Republican journal., 1920-06-10
CHAPTER XIV,

VI the DIG lnOgul that hauled the last
load of logs out of Cardigans red
woods on Thursday afternoon. Should
the engineer and fireman decide to
leave the locomotive at the logging
camp for the night, Bryce's task would
be as simple as turning a hose down a
squirrel hole. On the other hand,
should they run back to Sequoia with
the engine, he and Ogilvy faced the al
tentative of borrowing" it from the
Laguna Grande Lumber company's
roundhouSe; and that operation, in
view of the fact that Pennington's night
Waterman would be certain to hear the
engine leaving, offered difficulties.
= throughout the afternoon, after
having sent his orders in writing to
the woods-boss, via George Sea Otter
flor he dared not trust to the tele-
phone), he waited in his office for a
telephone call from the logging camp
as to what action the engine crew had
taken. Finally, at quarter of six.
Curtis, his w9ods-boss, rang in.
q They're staying here all night, sir"
he reported.
blouse them as far from the log
landing as possible, and organize a
poker game to keep them busy in case
they don't go to bed before eight
o'clock" Bryce ordered. "In the mean
time, send a man you can trust-Jim
Harding, who runs the big bull-donkey,
will do-down to the locomotive to
keep steam up until arrive"
He had scarcely hung up, when
Buck Ogilvy came into the office
''Well?" he queried casually.
"safe-o, Buck" replied Bryce
Nothing to do but get bite of din
ner and proceed to business"
Buck insisted on keeping an engage
ment to dine with Mora, and Bryce
agreed to call for him at the Bon
Gusto restaurant, Then Bryce went
home to dine with his father. Old
Cardigan was happier than his son
had seen him since the return of the
latter to Sequoia
well sonny, I've had mighty
pleasant afternoon" he declared as
Bryce led him to the dinner table
I've been up to the Valley of the
Giants"
Bryce was amazed "Why. how
could you?" he demanded 1.-THE old
skid road is impossible. and after you
leave the end of the skid road, the
trail in to mothers grave is so over
grown with buckthorn and wild lilac
[ doubt if rabbit could get through
it comfortably"
mot a bit of it." the old man re-
piled. "Somebody has gone to work
and planked that old skid road and
put up a hand rail on each side
while the trail through the Giants has
been grubbed out and smoothed over.
All that old logging cable abandoned
in those choppings has been strung
from tree to tree alongside the path
on both sides. l can 60 up there alone
now, once George sets me on the old
skid road; l can't get lost"
GLOW did you discover this?" Bryce
demanded.
Judge Moore. representing the new
owner. called round this morning and
took me In tow. He said his client
knew the property held for me a GER
tain sentimental value which wasn't
Judge had been instructed to have the
skid road planked and the forest trail
grubbed out-for me- Ii appears that
the valley is going to be a public
park, after all, but for the present and
while live, 1t is my private park"
This is perfectly amazing, partner.
TITS mighty comforting" his father
admitted. Guess the new owner must
be one of my old friends--perhaps
somebody l did a favor for once
and this is his way of repaying. ia
like to know the name of the owner
I'd like mighty well to say thank you
to him. 1t isn't usual for people now
adays to have as much respect fol
sentiment in an old duffer like me as
the fellow has He sort of makes me
feel as if l hadn't sold at ALL
Buck Ogilvy came out of the Bon
GuStO restaurant with Mora, just as
Bryce. with George Sea Otter at the
wheel of the Napier, drove up to the
curb. They left Mora at her board
ing house. and rolled noiselessly away
At nine o'clock they arrived al
Cardgan's log landing and found jim
Harding, the bull-donkey engineer
placidly smoking his pipe in the cab
Bryce hailed him.
"That you, Jim?'
"You bet'
run up to Jabe Curtis shanty and
tell him we're here. Have him gather
his gang and bring two pairs OF
overalls and two jumpers-large size
with him when he comes"
Presently the wOods-boss. accom-
panied by thirty of his best men, came
down to the log landing. At Bryce's
order they clambered aboard the en-.
CINE and tender, hanging on the steps,
on the roof of the cab, on. the cow
catcher-anywhere they could find a