Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1922-12-29
CHAPTER Xxx

Bruce walked over to Linda, wait
ing in the snow on her knees. 1t was
not an intentional posture. She had
been jerked down by the plunging
horse, and she had not yet complete
ly risen. But the sight of her slight
clasped hands, and the remorseless
snow of the wilderness about her
moved Bruce to his depths.
He saw her, but dimly in the snow
fiurries and she locked as if she were
in an attitude of prayer.
He came rather slowly, and he even
smiled a little And she gave him a
wan, strange little smile in return.
"We're down to cases at last he
said, with Il rather startling quiet
ness of tone "You see what il
meanS?"
She nodded, then got to her feet
I'VE can walk out, if we are let
alone and given time; it isn't that
we are obliged to have the horse. But
our blankets are on its back, and this
II olOl LII 10 SICdtillS bCNOHIIIS Il DlILAui VI
And you see time is one thing that
we don't have No human being can
stand this cold for long unprotected"
And we can't keep going-keep
warm by walking?'
His answer was to take out his
knife and put the point of the steel to
his thumb nail His eyes strained,
then looked up. "A little way" he an
Swered, but we can't keep our main
directions. The sun doesn't even cast
a shadow on my nail to show US
which is west We could keep up a
while, perhaps, but there is no end TO
this wilderness and at noon or to-
night-the result would be the same"
ut means-the end?'
"If | can't catch the horse I'm 60
ing now. If we can regain the blan-
kets-by getting in rife range of the
hOrSe-We might make some sort of
shelter in the snow and last out until
we can see our way and get our bear
ings. You don't know of any shelter
any cave or cabin where we might
build firei'
mo. There are some in the hills,
but we can't see our way to find them"
II know. / should have thought Of
that, And you see, we can't build a
fire here-everything is wet, and the
snow is beginning to whirl so we
couldn't keep it going. If we should
stagger on all day in this storm and
this snow, ave couldn't endure the
night" He smiled again. "And l want
you to climb a tree-and stay there
until ! come back"
She looked at him duly. whats
the use, BruceI You won't come
back. You'll chase the thing until you
die-I know you. You don't know
when to give up And if you want
to come back-you couldn't find the
way. I'm going with you
No" once more she started to
disobey, but the grave displeasure in
his eyes restrained her. IT'S going to
take all my strength to fight through
that snow must 90 fast-and may
be life and death will have TO depend
on your strength at the end of the
trail. You must save 1.-THE little
you have left. Since | must take
the rit1e-tO shoot the horse if ! can't
catch him-yOu must climb a tree.
You know why"
Partly to hide from Simon If he
comes this way. And partly"
Because there's some danger in
that thicket beyOnd"' he interrupted
her. "The horses terror was real
besides, you heard the sound. 1t might
be only a puma. But it might be
the Killer. Swing your arms and
struggle all you can to keep the blood
flowing / won't be gone long"
He started to go, and she ran after
him with Outstretched arms. "Oh,