The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1921-02-12
CHAPTER xIII-continued.

"a
The burden grew perceptibly heav-
Ser as they tOlled upward and several
times they put Macklin down, whlIe
they flung themselves on the rocks 10
regain breath for a fresh effort. The
altitude began TO affect Olga, her heart
beating rapidly from exertion. but she
struggled on, determined not TO yleiu.
Shelby. noting the whiteness OF her
face. insisted on frequent periods OF
rest. so that they must have been more
than an hour in attaining the rock
platform abutting on the cave. Get
ting Macklin's helpless body over that
last high stone rampant proved to De
the most difficult task of all, and was
only accomplished by sheer strength.
Shelby, hanging downward, with limbs
braced against the rock, and slowly
drawing the inert body up by the mus
cIes of his arms, assisted to some ex-
tent nv the efforts of the girl beneath.
Once safely behind the cover OF the
stone parapet, they lay painting win
exhaustion.
However this was a bodily weari-
ness soon ministered unto. Sheiby'
refusing to let Olga attempt any more
drew the wounded man back into the
greater security of the cave and MAGE
him as comfortable as possible. Then
although still breathing heavily him
self. he hastily gathered together what
food remained from his store OF the
day before, and took tis out to share
with her. They sat in the open
tust outside the narrow entrance 10
the cave. where. by lifting their heads,
they could look over the parapet into
the deep chasm of the valley. II
had begun to snow, in large, swirling
flakes. thickly enough to blot out com
pIetely the scene beneath, leaving
them perched high above its vortex
as though they lived in another world
The white curtain gave them a sense
of isolation, of security. which helped
UNNECESSARILY to restore their courage
They were beyond all probability OF
pursuit. free from immediate peril
shut off from discovery. All that re
manned was to wait patiently the re
turn of Pamela with help. The wine
kept the platform free from st
hurting il down into the deep gT%e
powdering the trail they had just rav
eled. and thus completely obliteratini
any signs of their passage. Yet tn
gray gloom weighed heavily on tn
girl.
'How long will 1t take herT' sh
asked.
"Pancha? Oh, she can hardly ge
back before late tonight. 1t is har
ride. even If she meets with no acc
dent"
"YOu do not think she will attemp
to return alone"
"NOt If she brings the doctor.
said nothing, for I did not believe
necessary. He will never venture int
this Hole without an escort. and
reasonably strong one. | am hopp
she encounters some party out scou
ing which will make trip TO &c
Iasche unnecessary. Since the figf
out yonder. troops must he searchin
the Bad Lands for renegade Indian
They would only be too glad to di
cover some guide who would lea
them here"
"But surely they know of tn
placer
"They know OF It; yes. In a wa
They possess full Information as TO L
existence. But TO get in here is qui
another matter. Without competel
guide they might hunt for weeks an
II they did discover the trail thrOue
some accident. the game would
gone. Only sudden dash will ev'
round that outfit up; they will have
be hit fror. and rear. and with I
small force
He looked out into the cloud
snow, seeking vainly to penetrate Il
curtain.
"The Lord only knows how maj
savage devils there are down the
now" he saic soberly. II don't THU
there was much Of bunch when
first came ln-mOstly white outlaw
cattle thieves and scum of that kim
but since the fight Indians have be,
coming, a slew of 'em. young buc
who got away. They'll be despera
and crazed. What was that? TIL
noise"
cit came from the cave. Perhaps
was Macklin."
They were both upon their fe,
startled by the strange sound. Shell
bent down and crept in through {
entrance.