The Elk Mountain pilot., 1921-01-27
CHAPTER III.

Dan Failing was never more thank
ful for his unerring sense Of direction.
he struck on at forty-fve-degree
angle between their late course and
direct road to the river, and he kept
It as If by surveyors line. All the
old devices of the wilderness-the
ridge on ridge that looked just alike.
lncIines that to the casual eye looked
like downward slopes. streams that
vanished beneath the snow. and the
snow-mist blowing across the face Of
the landmarks-could not avail
against him.
A half dozen of the wolves followed
him at first, But perhaps their fierce
eyes marked his long stride and his
powerful body. and decided that their
better chance was with the helpless
man and the girl beside the flickerng
fire. They turned back, one by one.
Dan kept straight on and in two hours
crossed Cranston's trail. He didn't
doubt but that he would find Gran
ston in his camp. If he found the camp
at all. The man had certainly re-
turned to II Immediately after setting
fire to the buildings. II for no other
reason than for food. II isn't well
to he abroad on the wintry mountains
without a supply Of food; and Gran
ston would certainly know this fact.
Dan didn't know when rifle bullet
from some camp in the thickets would
put an abrupt end to his advance. The
brush grew high by the river. the ele-
walton was considerably lower. and
there might be one hundred camps out
Of the sight of the casual wayfarer,
If CranstOn should see him. mushine
across the moonlit snow. It would give
him the most savage Joy to open fire
upon him with his rifle.
Dams keen eyes searched the thick
cts, and particularly they watched the
sky line for a faint glare that might
mean a camp fire. He tried to walk
silently. II wasn't an easy thing to
do with awkward snowshoes; but the
river drowned the little noise that he
made. He tried TO take advantage Of
the shelter of the thlckets and the
trees. Then. at the base Of a little
ridge. he came to sudden halt.
He had estimated just right. MOI
two hundred yards distant. "a camp
fre flickered and glowed in the shell
ter Of; great log. He saw 1t, by the
most astounding good fortune. through
little rift In the trees. Ten feet on
either side. and 1t was obscured..
He lost no time. He did not know
when the wolves about Snowbrti's
camp would lose the last Of their
rr-o rdtco Vas ha rpoxv ha rnucf Eoop
a tight grip on his self-control and
not let the necessity of haste cost him
his victory. He crept forward. step
by step. placing his snowshoes with
consummate care. When he was one
hundred yards distant he saw that
Cranston's camp was sitnated beside
little stream that flowed into the
river npd that-like the mountaineer
he was-he had built a large lean-to
reinforced with snowbanks The fire
burned AT It's opening craDsion was
not 10 sight; either he was absent
from camp or asleep in his Iean-to.
The latter seemed the more likely.
Dan made a wide detour. coming in
about thirty yards behind the construc
ton. Still he moved with Incredible
caution. Never In his life had he pos
sessed a greater mastery over his own
nerves. His heart leaped somewhat
fast in his own breast; hut this was
the only wasted motion. II isn't easy
to advance through such thickets with
out ever a misstep. without the rustic
Of branch or the crack Of twig.
Certain of the wild creatures find it
easy: hut men have forgotten how in
too many centuries of cities and farms.
1t is hardly human quality. and n
spectator would have found rather
CHASTITY fascination in watching fhe
1.-the motions. the passionless face, the
hands that didn't shake AT all. Bui
there were no spectators-unless the
little band of wolves. straggers from
the pack that had gathered on the hills
behind-watched. with lighted eyes
Dan went down at full length upon
the snow and softly removed his snow
shoes. They would be only an impedi-
ment In the close work that was sure
to follow. He slid along the, snow
crust. clear TO the mouth Of the Ienn-to.
The moonlight poured through and
showed the interior with rather re-
markable plaInness. Cranston was
sprawled. haIf-sitting. half-lying on
tree-bough pallet near the rear wall.
There was not the slightest doubt Of
the mans wakefulness. Dan heard
him stir. and once-as II at the men,
cursed In a savage whisper. Although