The Holbrook news., 1921-07-15

lISle0eu, DuL no SOunO DEOke Iue SUIT ness. Satisfied they were not ob- served, Shelby again picked up the wounded man, and, with Pancha guid ing, her figure barely discernible in the gloom, slowly advanced down the depression.
 It was hard, slow work, as Shelby had to carefully pick his way among the stones, seeking a safe resting place for each foot. They must move noise lessly. Their only hope lay in the con, fidence the Indians felt in their death within the cabin. If they were as sured as to this, then they had prob ably scattered, willing to wait until morning to search the debris for their bodies. But this they couldn't know As they turned into the ravine they obtained a glimpse of the burned cabin. One wall yet stood, ragged against the sky. and there was a gleam of red embers. Occasionally a gust of air sent sparks flying upward and spirals of black smoke were visible No moving forms could be perceived about the ruins, and 1t was evident the spot was still in a condition to render exploration impossible.
 Huddled closely together in the shelter of the rocks the fugitives stared across the open space at the red gleam. The Mexican girl had lifted herself upon a projecting stone, and was searching the shadows with keen eyes.
 "where do we go?" Shelby ques- toned.
 Up the rock trail, senor; there is no other safe place."
 'SO I thought Then we must get under cover before daylight. Dawn Is not far off from the looks of the sky He paused suddenly. "What kind of a looking guy is Hanley?"
 ''He tall, scrawny, red whiskers."
 'Then I got him; plugged the fellow through the arm. He won't want any more for awhile. Come, let's move on," he added impatiently. "It's dO- ing no good to remain here and stare at that fire, and 1t is no light load I've got on my back"
 The way was a rough one, strewn with stones, but well protected by high banks, on either side. Pancha seemingly knew every inch of it, for she advanced confidently, selecting the easier path. So they came to the end of the cleft, where 1t terminated at the bank of the creek.
 The light from the slowly graying sky overhead scarcely penetrated the depths of the ravine, and to the bur den of carving the heavy body of Macklin was added the weariness of the frequent stumbling over the stones with which the path was strewn. Olga, fighting off the deadly faintness which threatened every moment to overcome her, bore her share of the burden with a courage that moved her husband strongly, inasmuch as he felt he was nearing the end of his strength and realized what the strain must be on her.
 The events of the next hour re- mained in Shelby's mind more like some terrible dream than a remem- brance. He was conscious of being excessively worn, hungry, tired. His mind did not function, yet he clung dOggedly to his task, with teeth clinched, and every muscle aching from the effort. Macklin moaned once or twice, but without regaining con- sciousness, and twice Shelby felt com pelled to lay the wounded man on the ground, while he regained sufficient strength to proceed. Once they en- deavored to shift the burden, Olga in- sisting on helping him to bear the man. But this proved impracticable, and again Shelby shouldered the body and staggered blindly up stream.
 The sky was gray, a heavy mist shrouding the valley below, when they finally attained the opening into the trail sought. Nothing could be seen of