Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1921-07-30
The Voice of the Pack
By EDISON MARSHALL
By EDISON MARSHALL
Copyright. 1920. by Little. Brown & Co

cOwardice Yet he knew he must keep
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 ne was one
hundred yards sdistant he saw that
Cranstons camp was situated beside
little stream that flowed into the
river and that-like the mountaineer
he was-he had built large lean-to
reinforced with snowhanks. The fire
burned at its opening. CraRSton was
not in 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; but this was
the only wasted motion. 1t isn't easy
to advance through such thickets with
out ever misstep, without the rustic
Of branch or the crack of twig.
Certain of the wild creatures find II
easy; but men have forgotten how in
too many centuries Of cities and farms.
1t is hardly a human quality. and a
spectator would have found rather
CHASTITY fascination in watching the
1.-the motions, the passionless face. the
hands that didn't shake at all. But
there were no spectators-unless the
little band Of wolves, stragglers 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 lean-to.
The moonlight poured through and
showed the interior with rather re-
markable plainness. Cranston was
sprawled, halfsitting. haIf-lying on a
tree-bough pallet near the rear wall.
There was not the slightest doubt OF
the mans wakefulness. Dan heard
him stir, and once-as if at the men,
DRY of his deed of the day before--he
cursed in a savage whisper. Although
he was facing the opening of the lean
to, he was wholly unaware of Dams
presence. The latter had thrust his
head at the side of the opening. and
it was in shadow. CranSton seemed
to be watching the great, white snow
fields that lay in front, and for a mo-
ment Dan was at loss TO explain this
seeming vigil. Then he understood.
The white field before him was part
Of the long ridge that the three of
them would pass on their way TO the
valleys. Cranston had evidently an
ticipated that the girl and the man
would attempt to march out--even If
he hadn't guessed they would try to
take the helpless Lenn0x with them
and he wished to be prepared for
emergencies. There might be sport to
have with Dan, unarmed as be was.
And his eyes were full of strange con-
lectures in regard to Snowbird Both
would be exhausted now and helpless
Dams eyes encompassed the room:
the piles Of provisions heaped against
the wall, the snow shoes beside the
pallet, but most of all he wished TO
locate Cranston's rifle. Success or
failure hung on that He couldn't
find 1t at first Then he saw the gilt
ter Of its barrel in the moonlight
leaning against a grub box possibly
six feet from Cranston and 10 from
himself.
His heart leaped. The best he had
hoped for-fOr the sake of SnoWbird,
not himself-was that he would be
nearer to the gun than Cranston and
would be able to seize 1t first. But
conditions could be greatly worse than
they were. If Cranston had actually
had the weapon in his hands, the odds
Of battle would have been frightfully
against Dan. 1t takes a certain length
Of time to seize, swing and aim q RI
fie; and Dan felt that while ne would
be unable to reach ii himself, Gran
stOn could not procure it either, With
out giving Dan an opportunity to leap
upon him. In all his dreams, through
the months Of preparation. he had pic
tured it thus. 1t was the test at last.
The gGn might be loaded, ana still
in these days Of safety devices-un-
ready TO fire; and the loss Of a frac-
ton Of second might enable cram
ston TO reach his knife. Thus Dan
felt justified in ignoring the gan alto
gether and trusting--as he had most
desired-to q battle Of hands. And he
wanted both hands free when =, de
his attack
If Dan had been erect upon his feet,
bis course would have been an 4ms
diate leap on the shoulders Of his adj
yersary. running the risk Of Crauston
reaching his hunting knife in time.
But the second that be would require
to get to his feet would entirely Offset
this advantage. Cranston could spring
up. too So he did the next most dis
ermlug thing.
He sprang up and strobe into the
lean-to.
ITO BE CONTINUED