The state herald., 1921-01-14

courageous like Woof the bear. He
had only to walt and leap from the
darkness when she passed.
When Dan Failing, riding like mad
over the mountain TRAIL heard the
third shot from Snowblrd's pistol, he
felt that one of the debts he owed had
come due at last. He seemed to know.
ms the darkness pressed around him,
that he was to be tried in the fire. And
the horse staggered beneath him MS
he tried to hasten.
He showed no mercy to his mount.
Horse-hesh Isn't made for carrying a
heavy man over such trail as this,
and she was red-nOstriled and lath-
cred before half mile had been COW
cred. He made her leap up the rocks,
and on fairly level stretches he loosed
the reins and lnshed her into gallop.
Only n mountain horse could have
stood that test. He gave no thought
to his own safety. His courage was
at the test. and no risk of his own
life must interfere with his attempt
to save Snowbird from the danger
that threatened her. He didn't know
when the horse would fall with him
and precipitate him down precipice,
and he was perfectly aware that to
crash into low-hanging limb of one
OF the great trees beside the trail
would probably crush his skull. But
he took the chance. And before the
ride was done he found himself plead
ing with the horse. even as he lashed
her sides with his whip.
The lesser forest creatures sprang
from his trail; and once the mare
ieaped high to miss dark shadow
that crossed in front. AS she caught
her stride, Dan heard squeal and
rattle OF quilts that identified the crea-
ture as porcupine.
By now lie had passed the first OF
the worst grades. coming out upon
long. easy slope OF open forest. Again
he urged his horse. leaving to her
keen senses alone the closing Of the
path between the great tree trunks.
Then he heard Snowblrd fire for the
fourth time: and he knew that he had
almost ovcrtaken her. The report
seemed TO smash the air. And he
lashcd his horse into the fastest run
she knew-n wild, sobbing figure In
the darkness.
'She's only got one shot more" h.
said. He knew how many bullets her
pistol carried; and the dangcr-whnt-
ever II was-musi be Just Mt hand. Tn
derbrush cracked beneath him. And
then the horse drew up with jerk
that almost hurled him from the sad.
die.
He lashed nj her In vain. She was
rocks Of the trail. but some Terror In
the woods In front had In an instant
broken his control over her. She
reared. snortlng; then danced In an
impotent circle. Meanwhile. precious
seconds were fleeing.
He understood now. The horse
stood still, shivering beneath him. but
would not advance step. The silence
deepened. Somewhere In the dark.
ness before him great cougar was
waiting by the trail. and SnowbIrd.
hoping for the moment that II had
given up the chase. was Fastening
through the shadows squarely into Its
ambush.
Whisperfoot crouched lower: and
again his long serpent OF a tail began
the little vertical motion that always
precedcs his leap He had not forgot.
ten the wild rapture Of that moment
he had inadvertently sprung on Landy
Hildrcth-or how, after his terror had
died. he had come creeping back. He
hunted his own way. waiting on the
trail; md his madness was At Its
height He was not Just Whisperfcot
the coward. that runs At the shadow
Of q tall form In the thickets. The
contamination was complete. and that
single experience Of month before
had made Of him q hunter Of men.
His muscles set for the leap.
So intent was he that his keen
senses didn't detect the fact that
there was curious echo TO the girls
footsteps. Dan Failing had slipped
down from his terrified horse and was
running IN the trail behind her. pray.
ing that he could be In time.
Snowbird heard the pat. pat OF his
feet; hut at first she did not dare 10
hope that aid Ind come TO her. She
had thought OF Dan MS on the far.
away marshes; and her father. the
only other living occupant Of this part
OF the Divide, might even now he ly-
Ing dead In his house. In her terror.
she hnd lost all power OF interprcia.
tion OF events. The sound might be
the cougars mate. or even the wolf
pack. Jealous Of his game. SobbInr.
she hurried on into whlspcrfoots nm.
bush.
Then she heard n voice. and II seem.
ed to be calling to her. "snowbird-
TIN coming. snowbird." q mans strong
voice was shouting. She whiried with
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