Gunnison news-champion., 1921-03-04

Yea interposed Olga sympathet-
ioaIly. we must do that II possible.
He cannot be left 70 die alone In this
horrible place ! an ssrous. and yin
help all I can Could ve nov starr
at oncer
Just q moment Il there an en-
trance no; far away. PanchsY
Not 80 feet. senor.-
Then ~- oush, TO hear any nrinx
or shouting without Everything
seems quiet Let's make the effort
now
He sen, the Mexican girl on In ad-
vnnce. and lifted the unconscious
Macklin upon his back. Olga partially
supporting the helpless body The
wounded man Sruaned at IN. first
movement but lspsed Immediately
into silence again. and Shelby moved
slowly forward with his burden along
the dark. narrow passage. II tsr1nI-
mated in small hole. well protected
by covert OF brush. through which
the fellow had 10 be drawn cautious-
ly. once on the outside. under the
cold CLEAN of the starr, they found
themselves protected by the high
banks of a gully. that turned sharply
to the left. connecting with a deeper
ravine. The three clustered close. and
listened. but no sound hrok. the still
ness. Satisfied they were not oh
served. Shelby again picked up the
wounded man. and. with Pancha guild
ing her figure barely discernlhle I'm
the gloom, slowly advanced down the
depression
IL was hard. slow work. as Shelby
mad to carefully pick his way among
he stones. seeking safe resting place
for each foot. They must move noise
lessly. Their only hope lay In the con
hdence the Indians felt In their death
within the cabin. II they were as
sured as 10 this, then they had prob
ably scattered. willing TO wait until
morning 10 search the debris for their
bodies. But this they couldn't know
As they turned into the ravlne they
obtained a glimpse OF the burned
cabin. One wall ye, stood. ragged
agains, the sky. and there was a gieam
Of red embers. Occasionally q gust
OF uIr sent sparks flying upward ana
spirals OF black smoke wer. visible.
No moving forms could be perceived
about the ruins. and II was evident the
spot was still In u condition to render
exploration impossible.
Huddled closely together In the
shelter of the rocks the fugitives
stared across the open space at the
red CLEAN. The Mexican girl had
lifted herself upon projecting stone.
and was searching the shadows with
keen eyes.
where do we GOT" Shelby ques-
toned
up the rock trail, senior; there Is
no other safe place
$50 | thought Then we must get
under cover before daylight. Dawn is
not far of from the looks OF me sky"
He paused suddenly. what Kind OF a
looking guy Is Hanley?"
"He tall. scrawny, red whiskers.'
Then l got him: plugged the fellow
through the arm. He won't want any
more for awhile. Come let's move
on he added impatientiy. Its do
Ing no good to remain here and stare
at that fire, and II is no light load
I've got on my back"
The way was rough one. strewn
with stones, but well protected by
high banks. on either side. Pancha
seemingly knew every inch of II, for
she advanced confidently. selecting the
easier path. So they came to the end
OF the cleft, where II terminated NJ
the bank Of the creek
The light from the slowly CRAVING
sky overhead scarcely penetrated the
depths of the ravine, and TO the bur-
den of Carrying the heavy body Of
Nacklin was added the WEAKNESS OF
the frequent stumbling over the stones
with which the path was strewn. Olga,
fighting of the deadly faintness which
threatened every moment to overcome
her. bore her share of the burden with
courage that moved her husband
strongly. inasmuch as he felt he was
nearing the end of his strength and
realized what the strain must be on
her.
The events of the next hour re-
mained In Shelby's mind more like
some terrible dream than a remem-
brance. He was conscious OF being
excessively worn. hungry. tired. His
mind did not function, yet he clung
doggedly to his task, with teeth
ciinched. and every muscle aching
from the effort. Macklin moaned once
or twice. but without regaining con-
sciousness. and twice Shelby felt COM
PEELED to lay the wounded man on the
ground. while he regained sufficient
strength to proceed. Once they en-
deavored to shift the burden, Olga in
sisting on helping him to bear the
man But this proved impracticable,
and again Shelby shouldered the body
and staggered blindly up stream.
The sky was gray. q heavy mist
shrouding the valley below, when they