The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1921-02-04
RANDALL
|RARR
CHAPTER xIII--centInued


The burden grew perceptibly henv-
Ter as they toiIed upward, and several
times they PUT Maeklin down, while
they flung themselves on the rocks to
regain breath for a fresh effort. The
altitude hogan 10 affect Olgn. her henrt
Leating rapidly from exefflon. but SHE
struggled on, determined not 10 yield.
Shelby, noting the Wilderness Of her
face. insisted on frequent periods Of
rest. so that they must have been more
than an hour in attaining the rock
platform ahuttinE on the cave. Get
ting MackIIn's helpless body over that
last high stone rampant proved to be
the most difficult task Of all. and was
only accomplished by sheer strength.
shelby, hanging downward, with limbs
braced against the rock. aud slowly
drawing the inert body up by the mus
Giles OF bis arms. assisted TO some ex-
tent by the efforts Of the girl beneath
0nce safely behind the cover Of the
stone parapet they lay painting with
exhaustion.
However this was a bodily wearI.
ness soon ministered unto, Shelby.
refusing TO let Olga attempt any more,
drew the wounded man back Into the
greater security of the cnve, and made
him as comfortable as possible Then
although sflil breathing heavily him
self, he hastily gathered together what
food remained from his store OF the
day before. and took this out to share
with her. They sat In the open
just outside the narrow entrance to
the cave, where, by lifting their heads.
they could look over the parapet into
the deep rhasm OF the valley. It
had begun 10 snow, IN large, swirling
flakes, thickly enough to blot out com
pietely the scene beneath, leaving
them perehed high above its vortex.
as though they lived In another world.
The white curtain gave them sense
of isolation. OF security which helped
UNNECESSARILY 10 restore their courage.
They were beyond all probability OF
pursuit. free from Immediate peril !;
strut of from discovery. All that re.
manned was to wait patiently the re-
turn OF pancha With help. The wind
kept the platform free from snow,
hurting II down into the deep gorge.
powdering the trail they had Just trav-
eled. and thus completely obllteratlng
any signs Of their passage. Yet the
gray gloom weighed heavily on the
girl.
How long win 1t take herr" she
aslsed.
epanchag oh. she can hardly get
back before late tonight. 1t Is hard
ride. even II she meets with no acct
dent"
you do not think she win attempt
to return alone2"
'N0t II she brings the doctor /
said nothing. for ! did not believe Il
necessary. lie VIII never venture into
this Hole without nm escort. and II
reasonably strong one, am heping
she encounters some pnrty out scout
ing which will make d trip to Ger.
lasehe unnecessary. Since the fight
out yonder troops must be searching
the bad Lands for renegade Indians
They would only be TOO glad 70 ais
cover some guide who would lead
them here"
"sut surely they know Of this
placer"
They know OF T.; yes, In why.
They possess fun information as to It's
existence, Bpt TO yet In here Is quite
another matter. Without n competent
guide they might hunt Tor weeks and
" they did discover the tFaQ through
some accident the game would be
gone Only sudden dash win ever
rouad that OUTFIT M they viii have 90
he hft front and rear, and with no
small force
He looked out into the cloud of
snow. seeking yainly 70 penetrate the
curtain.
"The Lord only knows how many
savage devils there are down there
now" he said soberly. II don't think
there was much OF bunch when /
first came tn- mostly white outlaws.
cattle thieves and scum OF that kind.
but since The ight Indians have been
coming a slew OF EN-. young bucks
who got away They'll be Desperate
and cruzed. What was thar? That
noiser'
III came from the cave. Perhaps It
wax Maeklln."
They were both upon their feet,
startled by the strange sound. shelby
bent down and crept In through the
entrance.
CHAPTER XIV