The Elk Mountain pilot., 1920-01-01
EPISODE II.
IN THE OCEANS GRIP.


The Spider, John, Ethel and Morgan
awakened by the heat and smoke
the woodland temple Of silva. opened
their eyes to see the grim visage OF
that god glaring down upon them and
seeming to grin as he watched their
impotent writings beneath the in
creasing heat blasts. Outside. the in
carnations OF the Hlndus grew louder.
Rising above the tree tops. the
smoke of the consuming temple rose
to the heavens as the OutpOurings Of
q living volcano. Far in the distance
the trailing Rainfaee. seeing this evil
sign and instinctiveiy knowing that 1t
was the place for which he was In
search, glanced about with despairing
eyes. His own feet would never bear
him there IN time.
He had left the city far behind him
and was passing country house.
Standing before 1t, hitched to the fence
paling. was q saddled horse. and with
a grunt Of satisfaction he leaped upon
the animal and went speeding upon
his way to the clatter Of hoOfs and the
protesting yells of the steed's owner.
who had emerged from the building
Just in time to witness the seeming
larceny. Riding as he seldom had be-
fore, the Indian arrived upon the scene
just as the flames were approaching
their zenith. Absorbed In their incan-
tations, and with the roar Of the blaze
in their ears. the HIndus remained un-
conscious Of the h0of beats OF the
steed that was charging madly upon
them.
A. 4 bomb bursts upon Its mark. 10
did Rainface burst upon his uususpect-
ing audience. Without the waste Of q
second he opened fire upon the group
before him.
Shallum. throwing up hts hands.
reeled back into the arms of two OF
his companions. who lifting him bodily
went speeding through the trees with
their burden. Again the great revol-
yer reared and a second Hindu with
q yell leaped into the air aud fell. q
moment later. however. resaining his
feet aod disappearing In the wake Of
his fellows.
Having got rid Of his e~esntes, the
Indian ran swiftly around the burning
building. The nercely blaxias Gre be-
fore the door made any attesapt to en-
ter By that means unthinkable. and his
eyes few upward. Instantly they light
ed upen the strong limb that overhunG
the doomed structure. and with leap
he secured the lariat that hung at the
saddle of his. purlOined beast. Te
throw II over the limb and mount 1t
wNs bat the work Of dozen seconda
FROM the branch he peered down
through an opening In the roof upon
the Gouf tortured victims Of the altar.
A glance told him that not . second
was to be lost. Binding the haadker-
chief he had found about his bose and
mouth he drew up the rope and
dropped It into the interior Of the now
bIaxinG building.
He slid down the rope until his feet
rested upon the stone altar. In the
terrible heat the quickest action was
necessary, and slashIng EtheIs bonds
npart he rxised her to her feet. Az he
did the same for John. the girl tore
strips from her petticoat which she
wet in jar of perfu,ned water which
stood upon the altar, then bound 1t
over her face as the Indian had pro-
tected his own.
As John arose giddily and covered
his nose and mouth in the same man
ner he saw Rainfnce standing knife In
hand over the still twisting forms OF
Morgan and the Spider Plainly the
ancient one was debating whether he
should relehse them tr leave them to
the mercy of the danes. and with
motion of his hand Davis
hade him set them free. Plainly act
ing against his will the red man
obeyed. and the last of the four Vic
Tins struggled to his feet. In the at
mosphere of the place speech was I'M
possible. As Morgan and Bellas were
masking themselves. John pointed first
to the girl and then to the opening In
the roof. Nodding his understanding.
the Indian swarmed the length Of the
lasso until he gained the limb. At nn-
other motion from John the Spider
followed. nnd loop was swiftly made
in which the girl could sit. Before
the strength of the four arms above
she was hoisted clear Of the inferno
and seated in safety. At once the rope
was dropped to the remaining two.
With the fire roaring on all sides and
their clothing beginning to smoke, 1t
would be but the matter Of minute