The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1921-01-15
cHAPTER II-continued.

NJ nlRnt, DtiOiS INV
.ed too deep. they selected the
their house on the very bench
66cCrae had indicated. Ii was
an acre in extent, and stood
nv between the prairie level and
bottom of the cOulee, where a
liver was now running.
81 mite dark when they sought
royer of their little tent. and the
: were bowling far down the ra-
Identity they were startled by a
- noise. as of some big AMI
rushing upon them through the
an and the horses, in headlong
; Almost swept over their sleep
Mace.
nat wolf howl put the fear into
sIIly brutes," said Harris, speak
|calnly, although his own flesh was
pIng Just a little. Il suppose
I've ripped their tether ropes to
la Well, well tie them down
where they'll have company.
Il he led them back short distance
the bushes.
moment later, suddenly, as II con-
"a out of thin air, on the bank
above them. silhouetted against
dim light in the western sky, stood
sorse and rider. Instantly Harris
came a warning of McCrae;
- with one eye open when your
~ are tethered out"
Iufis had no proof that the strange
Z vas a horse thief, but 1t struck
4 Il the moment that the terror OF
khoses might not have been due al
on to wolves.
role silently toward the tent.
rs vas gun there, loaded with
fl any possible game on the prai-
A he moved In the deep dark
= Of the valley he stumbled over a
! sud fell. The same moment came
nsh b light on the bank, and Har-
kearl the ''thuk" of a ball bury
|fslH In the sod. He lay perfectly
The stranger peered into the
kness for a full minute; then, dis
Uniting. began to come cautiously
NJ the hillside. Harris would have
thed for his gun, but he feared to
al the whereabouts of his wife. So
lay still, and the stranger came
the CLINT of his gun barrel showing
The darkness. II was evident he
ought his bullet had found its mark,
be proposed still TO possess him
of the horses. But he was taking
finances. Presently he discerned
Tis' body on the ground. and again
I'D his gun to his shoulder. Har-
ny In an agony of suspense. pray
that the aim would be faulty, and
his assailant would advance un-
oe could spring up and disarm him
- came mother flash. a loud re.
u yell from the intruder. who
fell to earth. then scrambled to
feet. rushed up the bank. pulled
ee'f somewhat Imply IN his horse
rode into the darkness.
IN. Jack, are you killed." cried
nrl. rushing In his direction.
not even hurt" he answered; an6
tainted In his arms.
ue carried her to the tent and ap
- water to her forehead. As HI
= engaged In restoring her his hant
y on his gun. The barrel was hot.
ne raised her face to his, and kissed
q again and again.
~ the morning they found a few
0ps OF blood on the grass at the toI
the bank.
narris and his wife allowed them
ives no time for nerve strain owe
y experience Of their first night OF
eur homestead. The next morning
yer caring for their cows. the,
tened the horses to the wagon, tool
~ a saw, their gun. and a lunch
~ set out for the valley, returning
a night with sufficient logs an,
~ Tor the framework of their hous
q stable. The next day construC
- was commenced. Four stout post
~ set on end, enclosing a rectangl
fAio feet. The, tops of the posts wer
INJECTED by logs laid upon then
setailed at the corners after tn
mon OF woodsmen. and held in Dc
20 Dy wooden pins driven In auge
- Lengthwise along the cente
orm a ridge pole. another stou
was laid and the whole FRAMEWORK
ported by additional posts. anon
acn were two on the east side to er
e the door. Small poles were the
vi emu. sioping slightly II
afds and resting against the plat
Similar poles were laid fro
plate logs to the ridge pole to SUI
IT the roof.
harris found southern slope whel
rost was out enough to admit I,
blowing some sods. He Move
three inches thick and IA inch,
and cut them into two-fo,
ths with his AK. to the sad iniu,
rs cutting edge. These sods wei
quilt into a wall like bricks res
gently against the framework
from which, however. thew we,
erated by padding Of grass viii,
s's cut In slough with his scytb
small willows from the rayin
mattress of grass and willow
ented any earth shaking throu,
the house itself. A framewol
- OF q harm loov woc tn