The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-03-30


,::::a :acs t;ia, ne was DeieVed deau,
Macklln would recognize him at a
glance, and the very claim that he was
friend of Hanley's exposed him to
discovery. In some way he must avoid
them both, and yet no plan presented
itself to promise escape. He could
only drift helplessly, becoming more
respondent of success with every step
of advance.
1t was already dusk when they at
tained the level of the valley, and the
Overshadowing bluffs rose high on
either hand. leaving them plodding
through the gloom. Yet even here they
had not attained the full depression
Of the Hole. which required another
sharp descent along the border of the
stream. where ledge Of rock had evil
IDENTITY been blasted out. This passage
abruptly ended in a wide. stone cause
way. turning sharply to the left. and
running beneath waterfall, where the.
broad stream leaped over a ledge of
high rock. 1t was a task to get the
cattle through. yet once started, they
plunged forward. following each other
With fright. never pausing until they
scattered out over the plain below.
Laud drew up his horse in front of a
small log structure. so concealed at
the edge of straggly grove. that. in
the gloom, Shelby was not even aware
| of its existence until voices greeted
| them.
Back again, Joe! Where'd yer pick
up that bunch?"
up on the Cottonwood; easy pick
in" and Laud flung one leg over his
| saddle in a posture of rest. where's
Kelly? Oh. Dan; bring me out
drink. Anything new?"
The tall. raw-boned frontiersman
who responded. puffed at his pipe, and
out through the open door of the cab
in there suddenly streamed light re-
vealng his features. and the indistinct
outlines Of others idling near by.
well. not much, joe" he answered
drawlingly. "most o the lnjuns have
struck out amt morn a dozen bucks
left, reckon. They tell me they're
raisin' HI already over POnca way;
maybe yer heard about it?"
Laud nodded. wiping his lips with
the back of his hand. "Whar's Matt
Hanley?"
"Oh, he an Slagn cum in bout five
hours ago. reckon, an went on up
to the cove"
"Have enything with 'em?"
| -,
they. Jlm?-just travelin' light"
"Didn't say enythlng about another
gazabo?'
mot that know about. They act
! ed like they was both plum tired out,
and wanted ter go asleep. Just took a
+! drink apiece. and mosied along"
Laud let fall an oath.
"All right then, hut ID II I'll
ride down TO the cove tonight. Wen
90 up TO your shack. Juan. and bunk
down. Come on, both o. YER"
Shelby rode away silently between
the two, conscious that this brief con-
versation had in no way improved his
position. To be sure he had escaped
IL
but the fact that the latter had entire
~ failed to mention his probable ar.
rival must have left an unpleasant
suspic'sai in Lauds mind. The fellow
said nothing, however. and appUcent-
ly took no precautions, but Shelby
was nevertheless fully aware that the
other watched him cautiously and
would be quick to detect the slightest
movement. They rode at walk
through darkness so profound that
he could not be sure they were even
following a trail. The sound of
hoisterous voices rang out occasion.
ally, but they bore off steadily toward
the left away from the noise. and he
noticed the Mexican had grasped the
bride of the buckskin. and was firm.
ly guiding the animal.
Ill" said Laud suddenly, II
forgot all about the Kid. Wanter see
him, Churchill?"
| "Not specially ternight." Shelby ad-
mitted hastily. "mornin' will be soon
enough"
"All right, then; faint much far
Their, enyhow. There's the high rock,
Juan; the light'll show round the
next turn"
1t did. shining out like a star. and
they drove up in front of log shack,
an odd-shaped. rambling affair, built
close in against wall of rock. The
door opened in response to the sound
of the horses hoofs, and q young
woman appeared In the entrance. peer
Ing forth.
"rhat you. Juan?" she asked in
Spanish.
Isl; there are three of us, Pamela"
replied the Mexican. land we would
eat quickly. Is the senior here?"
"Not since noon. Juan. He said
little when. he rode away. yet there
has that occurred l would talk with
you about"
"Tis we'll, little one-after we eat
there will be time"