Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1922-12-08
CHAPTER XXX

sui tt tiit SNibCi iOit--t anu - ~
turned his attention back TO Linda
ITS the end he said quietly. why
not here as well Ms anywhere elseY
The horse ON which was tied their
scanty blankets was miles away by
now; Its tracks were obscured In the
snow, and they could not find their
way to any shelter that might be con-
cealed among the ridges
But before the question was finished,
a strange note had come into his voice.
1t was as If his attention had been
called from his words by something
much more momentous. The truth
was that It had been caught and held
by curious expression on the girls
face. All at once she sprang to her
feet
"Brucel" she cried. Perhaps
there's a way yet. A long, long
chance, but maybe a way yet. Get
your rif1e-Simon's Is broken-and
come with me-"
Without waiting for him to rise she
struck of into the storm, following
the huge footprints of the bear. The
man struggled with himself. sum-
moned all that was left Of his reserve
supply Of strength, and leaped up. He
snatched his rifle from the ground
where Simon had thrown 1t. and In an
Instant was beside her. Her cheeks
were blazing.
Maybe IL just means further tor
ture," she confessed to him, but don't
you want to make every effort we can
to save ourselves? Don't you want to
fight till the last breath?"
She glanced up and saw her answer
in the growing strength Of his face.
Then his words spoke too. "As long
as the slightest chance remains" he
replied.
And you'll forgive me If it comes
to nothing?"
He smiled dimly She took fresh
heart when she saw he still had
strength enough to smile. you don't
have to ask me that"
"a moment ago an idea came to
met came so straight and sure 1t
was as if voice told me-" she ex-
planned hurriedly. She didn't look at
him again. She kept her eyes intent
upon the great footprints in the snow.
To miss them for second meant in
that world Of whirling snow, to lose
them forever. ut was after the bear
had killed Simon and had gone away.
He acted exactly as if he thought of
something and went out to do tex
actly as If he had a destination In
view. Didn't you see-his anger
seemed to die In him and he started
off in the face of the storm. I've
watched the ways Of animals too long
not to know that he had something in
view. 1t wasn't food; he would have
attacked the body of the horse, or
even Simon's body. If he had just
been running away or wandering. he
would have gone with the wind, not
against it. He was weakened from the
ight-perhaps dying-and I think"
He finished the sentence for her,
breathlessly THAT he's going toward
shelter"
Eyes. You know, Bruce-the bears
hibernate every year. That's my one
hope now-that the Killer has gone
to some cave he knows about to hiber-
nate until this storm is over think
from the way he started off, so sure
and so straight, that It's near. 1t
would be dry and out of the storm,
and II we could take it away from
him we could make a fire that the
snow wouldn't put out. 1t would
mean life-and we could go on when
the storm is over"
you remember-we have only one
yes, know heard you fire. And
It's only thirty-thirty at that. It's
terrible a risk as we've yet
run. But it's a chance"
They soon became aware that they
were mounting low ridge. They
left the underbrush and emerged into
the open timber. And all at once
Bruce, who now walked in front,
paused with lifted hand, and pointed.
iJllu lDIDuSu lDe HuITleS they u1due
out the outline of the bear. And Lin
las inspiration had come true.
There was a ledge of rocks just in
,ront-a place such as the rattle
snakes had loved in the blasting sun of
a black hole yawned in
is side. The aperture had been almost
covered with the snow, and they saw
hat the great creature was scooping
way the remainder of the white drift
With his paw. As they waited, the
opening grew steadily wider, revealing
he mouth of a little cavern in the
ace of the rock.
Shoot" Linda whispered. "If he
.ets inside we won't be able TO get |
lin out"
But Bruce shook his head. then stole |
carer. She understood he had only /
ne cartridge. and he must not take 1
he risk OF w0undiDg the animal. The
re had 10 be ceDtered on vital
lace.
lie walked steadily nearer until II
eemed 10 Linda he would advance
frafOhf into reach NJ tho fnrrfiIe