The Adair County news., 1922-04-25

Lifted the Unconscious MacI<Iin Upon
His Back.
Macklin upon his back, Olga partially
supporting the helpless body. The
wounded man groaned at the first
movement but lapsed Immediately
into silence again, and Shelby moved
slowly forward with his burden along
the dark, narrow passage. 1t termi-
mated in a small hole, we'll protected
by a covert of brush, through which
the fellow had to be drawn cautious
ly. Once on the outside, under the
cold gleam of the stars, they found
themselves protected by the high
banks of a gully, that turned sharply
to the left, connecting with a deeper
ravine. The three clustered close, and
listened. but no sound broke the still
ness. Satisfied they were not OBJ
served, Shelby again picked up the
wounded man, and, with Pancha guild
ing, her figure barely discernible in
the gloom, slowly advanced down the
depression.
It was hard, slow work, as Shelby
had to carefully pick his way among
the stones, seeking a safe resting place
for each IoOt. They must move noise
lessly. Their only hope lay in the con-
fldence the Indians felt in their death
within the cabin. If they were as
sured as to this, then they had prob
ably scattered, willing to wait until
morning to search the debris for their
bodies. But this they couldn't know.
AS they turned into the ravine they
obtained a glimpse of the burned
cabin. One wall yet stood, ragged
against the sky. and there was a gleam
of red embers. Occasionally @ gust
Of air sent sparks flying upward ana
SpiralS of black smoke were visible.
No moving forms could be perceived
about the ruins, and it was evident the
spot was still in a condition to render
exploration impossible
Huddled closely together In the
shelter Of the rocks the fugitives
stared across the open space at the
red CLEAN. The Mexican girl had
lifted herself upon a projecting stone,
and was searching the shadows with
keen eyes.
"Where do we gow Shelby ques-
toned.
up the rock trail, senior; there is
no other safe place"
$50 l thought Then we must get
under cover before daylight. Dawn is
not far off from the looks of the sky"
He paused suddenly. "What kind of a
looking guy is Hanley?"
HE tall, scrawny, red whiskers."
"Then got him; plugged the fellow
through the arm. He won't want any
more for awhile. Come, let's move
on" he added impatiently. "It's do
ing no good to remain here and stare
at that fire, and it is no light load
I've got on my back"
The way was a rough one, strewn
with stones, but well protected by
high banks, on either side. Pancha
seemingly knew every inch of 1t, for
she advanced confidently, selecting the
easier path. So they came to the end
of the cleft, where it terminated at
the bank Of the creek.
The light from the slowly graying
sky overhead scarcely penetrated the
depths of the ravine, and to the bur-
den of carrying the heavy body Of
Macklin was added the WEAKNESS Of
the frequent stumbling over the stones
with which the path was strewn. Olga,
fighting off the deadly faintness which
threatened every moment to overcome
her, bore her share of the burden with
a courage that moved her husband
strongly, inasmuch as he felt he was
nearing the end of his strength and
realized what the strain must be on
her.
The events of the next hour re-
mained I'm Shelby's mind more like
some terrible dream than a remem-
brance. He was conscious of being
excessively worn, hungry, tired. His
mind did not function, yet he clung
doggedly to his task, with teeth
clinched, and every muscle aching
from the effort. Macklin moaned once
or twice, but without regaining con-
sciousness, and twice Shelby felt COM
PEELED to lay the wounded man on the
ground, while he regained sufficient
strength to proceed. Once they en-
deavOred to shift the burden, Olga in
sisting on helping him to bear the
man. But this proved impracticable,
and again Shelby shouldered the body
and staggered blindly up stream.
The sky was gray, heavy mist
shrouding the valley below. when they
finally attained the opening into the
trail sought. Nothing could be seen of