Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-02-17
CHAPTER xIII-continued.

The burden grew perceptibly heav-
fer as they toIled upward, and several
times they put Macklin down, while
they flung themselves on the rocks to
regain breath for fresh effort. The
altitude began to affect Olga, her heart
beating rapidly from eXertiOn, but she
struggled on, determined not to yield.
Shelby, noting the whiteness of her
face. insisted on frequent periods Of
rest, so that they must have been more
than an hour in attaining the rock
platform abutting on the cave. Get
ting Macklin's helpless body over that
last high stone rampant proved to be
the most difficult task of all, and was
only accomplished by sheer strength.
Shelby, hanging downward, with limbs
braced against the rock, and slowly
drawing the inert body up by the mus
Giles of his arms, assisted to some ex-
tent by the efforts of the girl beneath.
Once safely behind the cover of the
stone parapet, they lay painting with
exhaustion.
ness soon ministered unto. Shelby,
refusing to let Olga attempt any more,
drew the wounded man back into the
greater security of the cave, and made
him as comfortable as possible. Then,
although still breathing heavily him
self, he hastily gathered together what
food remained from his store OF the
day before, and took this out to share
with her. They sat in the open
Just outside the narrow entrance to
the cave, where, by lifting their heads,
they could look over the parapet into
the deep chasm of the valley. 1t
had begun to snow, in large, swirling
flakes, thickly enough to blot cut COM
pletely the scene beneath, leaving
them perched high above its vortex,
as though they lived in another world.
The white curtain gave them a sense
of isolation, Of security, which helped
UNNECESSARILY to restore their courage.
They were beyond all probability OF
pursuit, free from immediate peril;
shut off from discovery. All that re-
manned was to wait patiently the re-
turn of Pancha with help. The wind
kept the platform free from snow
hurting it down into the deep gorge,
powdering the trail they had just trav-
eled, and thus completely celebrating
any signs of their passage. Yet the
gray gloom weighed heavily on the
girl.
Glow long will it take herr" she
asked
"Pancha? Oh, she can hardly get
back before late tonight. 1t is hard
ride, even If she meets with no acct
dent"
"You do not think she will attempt
to return alone?"
"Not If she brings the doctor.
said nothing, for did not believe 1t
necessary. He will never venture into
this Hole without an escort. ana
reasonably strong one. l am hoping
she encounters some party out scout
ing which will make trip to Ger
lasche unnecessary. Since the fight
out yonder, troops must be searching
the Bad Lands for renegade Indians.
They would only be too glad to dis
cover some guide who would lead
them here"
"But surely they know of this
placer"
"They know of it; yes, in a way.
They possess full information as to its
existence. But to get In here is quite
another matter. Without competent
guide they might hunt for weeks and
IL they did discover the trail through
some accident, the game would be
gone. Only sudden dash will ever
round that outfit up; they Will nave 10
be hit front and rear, and with no
small force
He looked out into the cloud OF
snow. seeking vainly to penetrate the
curtain.
"The Lord only knows how many
savage devils there are down there
now" he said soberly. II don't think
there was much of bunch when l
first came in-mostly white outlaws,
cattle thieves and scum Of that kind;
but since the fight Indians have been
coming, a slew of 'em, young bucks
who got away. They'll be desperate
and crazed. What was that? That
noise?"
at came from the cave. Perhaps 1t
was Macklin.'
They were both upon their feet,
startled by the strange sound. Shelby
bent down and crept in through the
entrance