Evening journal., 1922-01-12
tContInued From Lnst Issucl

NAA NANHNAn ~ Dill Mhu "a lnufH
more lucid meaning for Joe Robin
son and Pete the Breed, the two
Indians that were occupying Har-
old's cabin.
-Four shots" Pete said at last.
"Lounsbury's signal"
That means-big doinfs" Joe
pronounced gravely. I'VE 60"
Then they put on their Snow
shoes and mushed away.
There was no nervous waiting at
the appointed meeting place-a
spring a half-mile from Bills cabin.
Harold Lounsbury was already there.
4 stranger TO this land might have
thought that Harold was drunk. I'm
familiar little fires glittered and
glowed in his eyes. his features we're
drawn.
The breeds waited patiently for
him TO speak.
where's sindy?" he asked at
last.
over Buckshot Dan's-just where
you said" Joe replied.
"Of course Buckshot took her
back?" The Indians nodded. well
I'm going to let him keep her. I've
got a white squaw now-and soon
I'm going out with her TO the Out
side. But there's things to do first.
Bill has found the mine"
The others nodded gravely.
And Bill Is as blind as a mole
got caught in a cabin full of green
wood smoke. He'll be able to see
again in a day or two. SO l sent for
yoH righ. away"
The breeds nodded again. a trlhe
less phlegmatically.
"T'he mines worth millions
more money than you can dream or
Each of you get a sixth-one-third
divided between you. As soon as
we've finished what I've planned.
| we'll tear down his claim notices
and put up our own. then go down
| 10 the recorder and record the
| claim" Harlod went on. Then it's
| ours. 80 one will ever guess. 30
onell make any trouble.
J Both Of you are 10 come 10 the
cabin. just about dark. You'll tell
me you have been over Bald Peak
way and are backward toward the
lnea village.
Bring along a quart of booze
maybe two quarts would be better.
And sometime in the early evening
give Bill what's coming to him"
"Do him of-2"Joe asked stolidy.
MAKE 10 look like a fight" Har-
old went on. Insult him-better
still. get in a quarrel among your
selves He'll tell you 10 shut up,
and one Of you flame at him. Then
strike the life out Of him before he
knows what he's about. He's blind
j and ne can't fight"
What you want us to use?" Pete
asked. "This?" He indicated the
thin blade at his thigh. Maybe use
the rfe?"
Harold's eyes looked drowsy when
he answered. Something like a lust
swept over him; this question OF
Pete's moved him In dark and evil
4 ways. His fathers blood was in the
Il full ascendandancy at last.
There's an old pick in the cabin
Il Bill had 81 prospecting" he said.
XIII
Bnl's eyes were considerably bet
fcr when he awakcned-full in the
daylight The warm wet cloths had
taken part OF the Inflammation out
Il OF them. and when he strained 10
open the lids. he was aware OF a
f little, dim CLEAN Of light.
He couldn't. make out objects
i however. and except for feetine
shadow he could not discern the
5. hand that he swept before his face
several days and perhaps weeks
woud pass before the full strength OF
81 his sight returned.
81 His greatest hope al present was
r. IL a
81 the cabin and build a FIRE for Nir.
& ginia.
Building the fire. however. was q
~ g-ievous task. He felt Il incumb
ent upon him 10 move with utmos
< caution so that Virginia would no
waken. BY cropping about the WALL
81 he encountered the stove.
Feeling told him that hot coal
were still glowing In the asehs. Thei
81 he fumbled about the floor for sucl
u fuel as Harold had provided.
3 lie found piece az last. and sooi
81 CHEEKY crackle told him that It hal
al ignited. He grnned with delight
~ But his JOY was trihe premature
N At that instant he tripped over
81 piece Of firewood and his hand
crRshed against the logs.
N "Oh, blast my clumsiness!" h
whispered. Virginia stirred behin
Il her curtain.
rs that you. Harold?" she asked
Il She was wide awake.
mo. It's Bill"
We'll what are you doing up? hi
~ Harold-do you mean TO say yo
built the fire yourself?"
That's me, lady"
Then you must have your sigh
1N a-ain-" The girl snatched asid
M the curtain an dpeered into his face
NJ mo such luck. Goals were sti
nj glowing; all l had to do was to pu
In piece Of frewood. But I'm al
well otherwise, as far as I can tel
How about you?"
The girl stretched up her arms. g..
little stin-and now-I want you {
Il sell me just how this blindness q
yours-is going to affect our gettin
out"
IL was a serious question. IT don
see how II can affect US a grea
deal" he answered. "I realize yo
IS don't know one step OF the way dow
to Bradleyburg. and I can't see IN
81 way; but Harold knows IL pei
fectly."
As II the invocation OF his nam
we're a magic summons. Harol
opened the door and entered. Fl
carried Bills loud-mouthed rifle
AnT ,F d