The St. Johns herald., 1921-07-07

CllSClIhS dSdAISl tue lOuSh hAOhOAJ" was no light job, at that, but he piled the knife desperately, possessing some skill and unusual strength If wrist and fingers The stakes gave way one after the other, but he was not satis- fled until he enlarged the opening somewhat by removing all bark from the logs, and prying loose the box frame. This required all of half an hour to accomplish, yet left an aper- ture through which he believed he might force his body. At that he found no room to spare; but, by ven- turing it head first, screwing his shOul- ders through one at time, and draw ing in his breath tightly, he managed to scrape painfully out of the hole, clawing at the rough outside bark for purchase, and finally coming down | face first onto the solid earth. At that, he made little noise, but his flesh smarted, and for a moment he rested where he fell, confused and panting for breath. The night was so black there in the shadow of the great hills, he could scarcely determine direc- tions, yet the girl had pointed toward the right, and, as soon as he could att tain his feet, he advanced cautiously that way, with hands held out before him. The path was rocky and uneven, probably leaving little trace of his passage. She touched him before he was even aware of her near presence, and then she was but the dimmest outline, her face indistinguishable through the gloom.
 Speak low, senor," she whispered briefly. Come with me this way"
 He permitted her to lead him for ward over ground sloping upward, but before they had thus advanced fifty yards. Shelby stopped, determined to question her purpose.
 "Where are you taking mel To Olga?"
 "No, senor; not now. I must leave you in safety first. Later bring her to you. Why you ask? You not trust mel"
 "Yes, I trust you, Pancha; but isn't it better that I understand the plan? Then we can work tOGetbsr."
 She drew in a quick breath fmpa- tiently, her fingers clutching at his sleeve.
 ''DiosI this is not time to stand and talk. senor," she burst forth, 'yet listen, if not do otherwise. There is no time left tonight in which to escape. must be back in the house before Indian Joe wakes, or my brother re- turns. All I can hope to do is hide you where you not be found. Then we must plan what is best to do."
 "YOu know where she is?"
 "Si, senor; know; yet eet will not be easy to get her away. She is not left unwatched, and nothing can be done tonight. must watch and wait. Eet will only be safe when Senor Macklin and my brother are both away"
 ''You mean that I am to hide out wonder somewhere until you are ready?" he questioned. "Is that the scheme?"
 "There is no other thing possible. Even that may fail. Senor, do not be a fool" she urged earnestly. "I know the danger of all this; you not realize even vet what eet means to be a pris- oner in Wolves hole. These men keel {; it is their only law. risk my life to do this, and there is but one chance of success. Alone, unaided, you can never get out of here-never. Why? you ask. Because, senOr, every pass is under guard; they are never left open"
 "Then how are we to goT'
 "Along a path known only to my self and one other, senor. A young Indian found eet by accident and con- fided his secret to me! He come, and went that way for year, but no one else know. Once he took me half way to top; eet is rough, yet can be fol- lowed. Now you see I am right?"
 'T have no choice; owe you my life already"
 'Then do as I say, senor. I will Weave you where you can never be found. I have food here in this sack. You must wait there hidden until I come Bet may be a day, two days, three days; that make no difference. You have my pledge that I will bring her. I do not lie. Then you will do this, as I say?"
 ''Yes, Pancha."
 "Graciasl eet will be at night when we come, and you will have to climb those rocks in the dark. You will need stout hearts for that trip; but eet is better to risk than stay here an die, senor. Now I tell you-Indian Joe will believe you found that knife, and cut your way out alone; he will try to fnllnw. an' he is like wolf on the trail