The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-12-22

HE told her quietly. He nara her
sob, and he smiled a little, reas.
surinsiy tNever mind-and pray
Tor good voyage, he advised.
We're going through"
The craft and its occupants
we're gu TOT sight by the time JET.
terry Neilson reached the river
hank with his rifle.
He made his way fast as no
could toward the claim. Sensing
the old mans distress. Raw
straight tened from his work at the
sight ofhim.
The face before him was drawn
and white; but there was no time
for questions. Hard hands seized
his arm
Ray, do you know Of a canoe
anywhere-up or down this riyer!"
mol There isn't one that you
could even dream about shooting
tlose rapids IN. Tell me what's tho
matter. Has Beatrice"
eBeatrice has gone down, that's
You don't mean-she's run
awaygv
'Don,t be q fool. The prospector
i told you ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS the
Old mans partner He's paying US
back. ] wish, to God I had died
before ] eyer saw this day!"
I Ray stared blankly. Then he
found otit-about the murder?" he
gasped.
ayes. Here's his letter."
Ray read the letter carefully,
rt1mpling It at last in savage
wrath.
He can't do much II the claims
recorded In our names!"
HE can make us plenty Of
trouble II you want the girl, Ray
don't lose q minute. Put your
things together as fast as you
can
They crossed the divide, thus
reaching the headwaters OF Poor
Mans Creek; then took the trail
down toward the settlements. But
the two claim Jumpers had not yet
learned all the days III news. Halt.
way to the mouth OF the stream
they met Chan Heminway on his
way back TO the claim.
Az the first sight OF him they
could hardly believe their eyes. It
was not to be- credited that he
had made the trip to Bradleyburg
and back IN the few days he had
been absent. lf'ts
What In the devil you coming
back fof?n Ray shouted, when
CHAINS identity became certain.
Because the claims recorded,
that's why Before old Hiram died
he wrote d letter to an official in
Bradleybprg and IN It, was a de.
scription OF the claim. Whatever
formalities was necessary was cut
out becapae the old man had been
too sick TO make the trip-the re.
corder got special permission from
Victoria.
''You see what that means, don't
yonsR he asked Nelson.
ut means we've lost!"
The eyes before him narrowed
and cleaned. ISL that's what It
mems to- you! Well, don't look
az Il Just that way. 1t means to
me that we've got to take these
supplies and these pack horses and
start out and find Ben Darby"
sof course we've got to rescue
Beatrice
ssRescuing Beatrice isn't all of
II now, by "a long shot. Didn't old
Hiram leave a will, giving this
clattn 20 HIS brother Ezra2 And,
hasn't this Ben got a letter from
Ezra leaving the claim to hint"
You mean we've got to find
him?'t
"weyeSgot to; that's ALL"
Neilhon hreathed heavy. "It's all
plain enough"
Beatrice Nelson was a mountain
girl. with, the strong thews Of
tael, vet she hid her face as the
canoe shot into the crests OF tbs
rapids. ,3.33
the wolf crouched on the heap
OF supplies, fearful to the depths
o. his wild heart OF this mighty
stream. yet still putting his faith In
his master in the stern. IA
"a sudden movement on the part
q Beatrice. In the bow Of the
canoe, caught Ben's eye. She had
leaned forward and was reaching
among the supplies. She lifted into
her hands q paper parcel, the same
she had brought from her cabin
early that morning.
His heart leaped; why he did not
know, what Is It? he asked.
.Ber-I called you that yester.
day and there's no use going back
20 last names now-I've made an
important decision.
4 hope its a happy one" he ven.
ttired.
MS as happy as IT can be, un.
der the circumstances. Ben, I
came of q line Of trontiersmen-
the Forest people-and IL the woods
teach one thing It Is to make tbs
hest Of any bad situation"
Az She talked she was slowly
iinwfapping the little package she
had brought. Presently she held It
mt TO him.
II was Just a box Of homemade
randy that she had brought fo-
heir days picnic. But it was a
peace offering not TO be despised.
CHAPTER XI
The Forest Stronghold
When the swltling waters car.
Ned the canoe down into the