The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-05-28
CHAPTER XVIII.
HIND tn Hand

i, had ceased showing. but enough
had fallen TO cover the bluff with a
white mantle. obiltcraunR the trail.
and leaving the valley below covered.
Tse sky rrchcd over all dun and
gray. Shelby hung out over the
ledge. watchfully studying the view
outsprcad beneath. II was n peace.
ful scene enough. with scarcely a
moving figure visible. Ho could
hardly realize that this was the
haunt OF outlaws. where only few
hours before he had been desperately
struggling for life Tho daylight re-
vealed no sign Of disorder or pursuit
the only reminder OF what had oc-
CURED being the blackcned ruins 81
the burned cabin almost directly he
low. Yet this was deserted. and the
snow about appeared untrampicd
Tho sight gave him hope. yet he
felt strangely depressed. and I'm
ncrvcd. The remembrance OF the
scene just witnessed could not be cast
Off. lie had no reason 20 question
the truth OF that confession. and II
had impressed him strongly. Macllin
was evidently dying. was already be
yond help. Any breath might prove
10 be- his last. and II was even then
too late for any doctor Go save him.
But would Pancha return In time TO
assist tenn Would she bring suffl.
cent help with her? In spite OF the
omlnous quiet below. he felt no faith
that Indian Joe would so easily
abandon their trail He was not that
kind. Something would asaurediy
arouse his suspicion that they had
not persisted In the flames. Indeed,
that could be easily ascertalned by
search OF the debris. and the per.
turbcd ranchman was far from being
satisfied that Pancha alone know of
this secret trail. Why. Macklin
stated he had himself been up as far
ns the cave. and IL was scarcely like.
~ IL had been entirely overlooked so
long by these others-the Indians
certainly must have secured every
inch OF these bluffs Mt one time or
another. Something. for the mo-
ment may have drawn aside sus.
PIGEONS of his escape, yet those devils
would track him down. The convic.
ton haunted him.
lie drew back just In time. There
was the sharp crack OF n rifle:
bullet Clipped the outer edge OF the
parapet and little puff OF smoke
curled up away to the left, and van.
ished against the lcaden sky shelby
fell flat on HIS face and crept back.
ward. seeking instinctively the pro.
lection of an overhanging rock. his
eyes instantly marking that vague
spiral Of smoke. He had guessed
right Indian cunning had already
learned the truth, and had fourN
means Of approach unknown even TO
the Mexican girl Somewhere In the
security OF those rocks. keen eyes
were watching every movement.
savagely eager TO end all by some
well.directed shot Yet, with the
chug of the bullet. all depression
left him. lie knew now what he had
TO face; that narrow platform must
be defended. for hours probably re-
volvcrs pitted against rifles; himself
alone against an unknown number
Of assailants. 1t. meant caution as
well as bravery. the quick wit of n
white man outgeneraling savage
treachery. Even as he rolled over. so
IA to cautiously lift his head. the
".45" was jerked from it's holster. and
rested ready In his hand. lie heard
Olga Mt the cave entrance.
"Stny backr' he ordered sternly.