Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1921-07-16
CHAPTER Ii-Continued.
10

ID
The thought sobered and halted her.
She glanced once ar the dark face of
her companion. Dan couldn't under
stand the strange light that suddenly
leaped to her eyes. Perhaps she her
self couldn't have explained the wave
OF tenderness that swept over her
with no cause except the look in Dams
earnest gray eyes and the lines that
cut so deep. Since the world was new,
IL has been the boast of the boldest of
men that they looked their Fate in the
face. And this is no mean looking For
fate is a sword from the darkness, a
power that reaches out of the mystery,
and cannot be classed with sights Of
human origin. 1t burns out the eyes
Of all but the strongest men. Yet Dan
was looking at his fate now, and his
eyes held straight
They wmked together down to the
ruined house. and the three of them
sat silent while the fire burned red.
Then Lennox turned to them with
half-smile.
you're wasting time. you two" he
said. Remember, all our food is gone.
If You start now, and walk hard, may
be you can make it out"
There are several things to do
fsst," Dan answered simply.
II don't know what they are. It isn't
going to be any picnic, Dan. man
can travel only so far without food to
keep up his strength. particularly over
such ridges as you have to cross. 1t
win be easy to give up and die. It's
the test, man; it's the test"
"And what about your his daugh-
ter asked.
ooh, I'll be all right. Besides-it's
the only thing that can be done. l
can't walk, and you can't carry me on
your backs. What else remains? I'll
stay here-and I'll scrape together
enough wood to keep a fire. Then you
can bring help"
He kept his eyes averted when he
talked. He was afraid for Dan TO see
them, knowing that he could read the
He in them.
How do you expect to find wood
In this snow?" Dan asked him. ut will
take four days to get out; do you
tb.nk you could lie here and battle
with a fire for four days, and then four
days more that it will take to come
back? You'd have two choices: to
burn green wood that Id cut for you
before | left, or the rain-soaked dead
wood under the snow. You couldn't
keep eithe or of them burning, and
you'd die ia a night Besides-this is
no time for an unarmed man to be
alone in the hills"
Lenn0xs voice grew pleading. "Be
sensible. Dan :" he cried. THAT
Cranston's got us, and got US right
I've only one thing more I care about
and that is that you pay the debt! !
can't hope to get out myself | say
that I can't even hope TO. But if you
bring my daughter through-and when
spring comes, pay what we owe to
Cranston-Pn be content. Heavens,
Son-I've lived my life. The old pack
leader dies wheu his time comes, and
80 Goos a man."
His daughter orept TO him and shell
tered his gray head against her
breast. I'm stay with you, then she
cried.
Don't be little fool, Snowbird,"
he urged My clothes are wet al
ready from the melted snow It's too
long a way-it will be too hard a fight,
and children-Tm old and tired out. l
don't want TO make the try-hunger
and cold; and even if you'd stay here
and grub wood, Snowbird, they'd find
aS both dead when they came back in
week. We can't live without food,
saa work and keep warm-and there
isn't a living creature in the hills
Except the wolves" Dan reminded
him.
Except the wolves" Lennox
iced. Remember. we're unarmed-
aa. they'd find it out. You're young,
saa#oird, and so is Dan-and you
e will be happy I know how things
you two-more than you know
a4f>alyes-and in the end you1l be
Aapy, But me-Tm too tired TO
@aae the try. I don't care about it
enough I'm going to wave you good
: and smile. and lie here and let the
come down. You feel warm in a
while"
~, She stopped his lips with her
mana And he bent and kissed #.
anybodv's going to stay with
Dan told them in a clear firm
ee, "lt's. going to be me. But aren't
~ Of the cabins occupiedT"
1oa know they aren't Lennox an
Not even the houses beyond
North Fork. even II we could get
The nearest help IS over sew
miles"
>nowbird think! Haven't any
been left in the ranger sta
me thing" the girl told hira.
ao~ Cranst0n and his crowd
place last winter. And the
lines were disconnected
1s rangers left.