American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1922-09-21
SYNOPSIS

CHAPTER LAT the death OF his foster
father, Bruce Duncan, in an eastern city,
receives a mysterious message, sent by a
Mrs. Ross, summoning him peremptorily
to southern Oregon-to meet Linda"
CHAPTER H.-Bruce has vivid but baf-
ling recollecttens Of his childhood in an
o~rphanage, before his adoption by New
ton Duncan. with the girl Ldnda.
CHAPTER HAT his destination,
Trails End, news that a message has
been sent to Bruce Ia received with
marked displeasure by a man introduced
70 the reader as "Sdmon."
CHAPTER Iv.-Leavtng the train,
Bruce Is astonished at his apparent IA
miliarity with the surroundings, though
TO his knowledge he has never been there.
CHAPTER v.-obedient to the message.
Bruce makes his way to Martins cross
roads store, for direction as to reaching
Mrs. Ross cabin.
CHAPTER vI.-on the way, simon
sternly warns him to give up his quest
and return East. Bruce refuses.
CHAPTER vu.-Mrs. Ross, aged and
infrm, welcomes him with emotion. She
hastens him on his way--the end of Pine
Needle Trail"
CHAPTER vITT-Through a country
p~uxzling1y familiar, Bruce journeys, and
nnds his childhood playmate, Linda.
CHAPTER K.-The girl tells him of
wrongs committed by al enemy clan on
her family, the BOSSES. Lands occupied
by the clan were stolen from the Rosses,
Aunt Eimira Isrs. Ross) and herself.
wiped out by assassination. Bruce's IA
Their, Matthew Folger, was one of the
victims. His mother had fed with Bruce
and LINDA. The girl, while small, had
been kidnapped from the orphanage and
brought to the mountains. Linda's father
but the desp aSre en- which would confute;
the enemy's claims ito the property, has
been lost
CHAPTER x.-Bruce's n blood
responds to the call Of the blood-feud.
CHAPTER xI.-A giant tree. the SEN
tinel Pine, IN front OF ITdnda's cabin,
seems to Bruce,s excited imagination to
be e~ndeavoring to convey atmessage.
CHAPTER xm.-Bruce sets out in
search of a trapper named Hudson, a
witness to the agreementrbetween Linda's
father and Matthew Fofger.
CHAPTER xIIL-A gigantic grizzly,
known as the Killer, is the terror of the
vicinity, because of hts size and ferocity.
CHAPTER XTv.-Dave Turner. sent by
Simon, brfbes Hudson to swear falsely
concerning the agreement, II brought to
light, he knowing its whereabouts
CHAPTER xv.-Hudson and Dave visit
the formers traps. A wolf, caught in one,
is discovered by the Killer. Disturbed at
his feast, the brute strikes down Hudson.
Bruce, on his way TO Hudson, shoots and
wounds the Killer, driving him from his
victim. Hudson learning Bruce's tden-
tity, tries 10 tell him the hiding place Of
the agreement, but death summons him.
Dave scrambled in vain for a story
to explain the loss Of his weapon to
Bruce, and the one that came out at
last didn't do him particular credit.
al threw the ,d--n thing away.
Wish 1 hadn't now, but it made me so
mad by jamming-It was a fool trick.
Maybe / can go back after it and find
it."
Simon smiled again. Every good so
far he commented.
Dave flushed. 'Bruee was there,
too-fact is, creased the bear-and
the last minute before he died Hudson
told him where the agreement was
hidden. 1 couldn't hear all he said
/ was too far away-but i heard
enough to think that he told Bruce
the hiding place.
"And why didn't you get that infor
nation away from Bruce with your
gum"
Didn't l tell you the thing was
jammeda If Ii hadn't of been for that
I'd done something more than find out
where it is. I'd stepped this non
sense once and for all, and let a hole
through that tenderfoot big enough to
see through Then there'd never be
any more trouble. Its the thing to dc
now"
Simon looked at his brothers. face
with some wonder. More crafty and
cunning, Dave was like the coyote In
that he didn't yield Sc quickly to fury
as that gray wolf. his brother. Bui
when IL did conls, Il scared him. Il
hed come now. Simon couldn't mis-
tasse the fact; he saw 1t plain In the
glowing eyes, the cIenehed hands, the
dsawn lips. Dave was remembering
the pain of the blow Bruce had given
him and the smart of the words that
had preceded Il.
HY0u and he must have had a little
session down there by the creek
Simon suggested slowly, when your
mun was damned. OF course, he took
sAs gun. what's the use Of trying to
Ne to mel"
SHe dfd. What could / DOR
"And now ysa seaaas hasa passade"'
assgn ambush"
whats the use Of waiting? Who'd
knowT" The two men stood face to
face In the quiet and deepening dusk
of the barn and there was growing
determination On each face. Every
day our chance is less and less" Dave
went on. with this land behind him,
he'd be in a position to pay old debts
I'm telling you. We should nave met
him on the trail and let the buzzards
talk to him"
YES" Simon echoed In a strange
half-whisper, LET the buzzards tall
to him"