Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-04-15
CHAPTER Il-continued.

That night, before the darkness had
gathered too deep, they selected the
lite OF their house on the very bench
hat McCrae had indicated. 1t was
about an acre In extent, and stood
halfway between the prairie level and
the bottom Of the coulee, where a
mail river was now running. ="
It was quite dark when they sought
the cover of their little tent, and the
wolves were bowling far down the ra-
vine.
Presidently they were startled by
crashing noise, as of some big ami
mails rushing upon them through the
poplars, and the horses, in headlong
haste, almost swept over their Sleep
ing place.
'That wolf howl put the fear into
The silly brutes," said Harris, speak,
ng calmly, although his own flesh was
creeping just a little. II suppose
they've ripped their tether ropes to
pieces. Well. Wen tie them down
here. where they'll have company"
And he led them back q short distance
INTO the bushes.
A moment later, suddenly, as If con-
Eealed out Of thin air, on the bank
eight above them, silhouetted against
The dim light in the western sky, stood
4 horse and rider Instantly Harris
mind came warning Of McCrae:
Sleep with one eye open when your
horses are tethered ont"
Harris had no'proof that the strange
rider was horse thief, but 1t struck
him at the moment that the terror of
the horses might not have been due al
together to wolves.
He stole silently toward the tent.
There was gun there, loaded with
shot for any possible game on the prai-
rie. As he moved in the deep dark
ness OF the valley he stumbled over a
root and fell. The same moment came
flash Of light on the bank, and Har-
ris heard the "thuk" Of ball bury
Ing itself In the sod. He lay perfectly
still. The stranger peered into the
darkness for full minute; then, dis
mounting, began to come cautiously
Town the hillside. Harris would have
rushed for his gun, but he feared to
reveal the whereabouts Of his wife. So
he lay still, and the stranger came
IN, the CLINT Of his gun barrel showing
In the darkness. It was evident he
thought his bullet had found its mark,
md he proposed still to possess him
self Of the horses. But he was taking
40 chances. Presently he discerned
Harris body on the ground, and again
raised his gun to his shoulder. Har-
ris lay in an agony Of suspense, pray
ing that the aim would be faulty, and
that his assailant would advance un-
I'll he could spring up and disarm him.
Then came another flash, a loud re-
port, a yell from the intruder, who
aalf fell to earth. then scrambled to
Ills feet, rushed up the bank, pulled
himself somewhat Imply on his horse,
and rode into the darkness.
"Oh, Jack, are you killed." cried
he girl. rushing In his direction.
"Not even hurt" he answered; and
she tainted In his arms.
/ He carried her to the tent and ap-
Piled water to her forehead. As he
was engaged In restoring her his hand
Tell on his gun. The barrel was hot.
He raised her face to his, and kissed
her again and again.
In the morning they found a few
1rops Of blood on the grass at the top
II the bank.
Harris and his wife allowed them
selves no time for nerve strain over
the experience Of their first night on
heir homestead. The next morning,
after caring for their cows, they
aitched the horses to the wagon, took
IN Ak, saw, their gun, and lunch,
and set out for the valley, returning
ate at night with sufficient logs and
poles for the framework of their house
and stable. The next day construc-
lion was commenced. Four stout posts
we're set on end, enclosing rectangle
t2x16 feet. The tops Of the posts were
connected by logs laid upon them,
1ove-tailed at the corners after the
fashion of woodsmen. and held in po-
,itiOn by wooden pins driven in auger
holes. Lengthwise along the center,
10 form a ridge pole, another stout
og was laid and the whole framework
supported by additional posts among
which were two on the east side to EN-
.lose the door. Small poles were then
placed on end, sloping slightly in
wards and resting against the plate
Ogs. Similar poles were laid from
The plate logs to the ridge pole to sup
port the roof.
Harris found q southern slope where