Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1922-11-10


a Then, the clouds slowly dImming un
der the moon, the light grew with al
t most imperceptible entertainments Al
0 first 1t was only bright enough t.
Q show her own dim shadow on the
grass. The utter gloom that was over
the fields lessened and drew away like
recedIng curtains; her vision reached
{ ever farther, the shadows grew more
| clearly outlined and distinct. Then
the moon rolled forth into wholly
open patch OF sky-a white sphere
with a sprInkling Of vivid stars around
|. ,t-and the silver radiance poured
down.
1t was like the breaking of dawn
The fields stretched to incredible dis
tances about her. The forest beyond
emerged in distinct outline; she could
see every irregularity In the plain.
And in one instant's glance she knew
that she had found Bruce.
His situation went home to her In
one sweep Of the eyes. Bruce was
not alone. Even now a great, tower
ing figure was creeping toward him
from the forest Linda cried out,
and with the long strap of her rein
dashed her horse into the fastest pace
1t knew.
Bruce did not hear her come. He
lay in the soft grass, waiting for
DEATH A great calm had come upon
him; strange, quiet strength that the
pines themselves might have lent to
him: and he made no cry. In this
dreadful last moment of despair the
worst Of his terror had gone and left
his thoughts slngularly clear. And
but one desire was left to him: that
the Killer might be merciful and end
his existence with one blow.
1t was not a great deal to ask for;
but he knew perfectly that only by the |
mercy of the forest gods could it come
to pass. They are usually not so kind
to the dying; and 1t is not the wild
animal way to take pains to XIII at |
the first blow. Yet his eyes held
straight. The Killer crept slowly
toward him; more and more of his
vast body was revealed above the tall
heads of the grass. And now all that
Bruce knew was a great wonder-a
strange expectancy and awe of what
the opening gates of darkness would
reveal.
The Killer moved with dreadful
and elaboration. He was no
longer afraid. 1t was just as 1t had
been before-a warm figure lying still
and helpless for his own terrible pleas !
ure A few more steps and he would ,
De near enough to see plainly; then ,
after the grizzly habit-to fling into '
the charge. He pauaed, his muscles
setting. And then the meadows sud- {
denly rang with the fluctuations of
lis snarl. t
Almost unconscious, Bruce did not /
understand what had caused his utter t
nee. But strangely, the bear had lift S
d his head and was staring straight r
ver him. For the first time Bruce t
card the wild beat of hoofs on the n
urf behind him.
He didn't have time to turn and
ook. There was no opportunity even
or a flood of renewed hope. Events
ollowed upon one another with star |
ing rapidity. The sharp, unmistak-
Bile crack of pistol leaped through
ne dusk, and bullet sung over his
ody. And then wild-riding figure
wept up to him. T
IL was Linda. firing as she came. &c
ow she had been able to control her
orse and ride him into that scene ST.
peril no words may reveal. Per til
bps, running wildly beneath the lash, at
s starting eyes did not discern or In be
rpret the gray figure scarcely score to
yards distant from Bruce; and 1t m,
true the grizzlys pungent SMELL co
thing to terrify much more and to dis
interpreted more clearly than any sic
nd OF dim form In the moonlight to
IS blown In the opposite direction. sol
rhaps the flashing strap recalled the Ing
'rlble punishment the horse had un-
rgone earlier that evening at the for
nds OF Simon and no room was left
any lesser terror. But most likely on
all, just as in the case of brave tho
diers riding their horses into hat wa
>-'> 81 - oNu strength ana corr dis
went into him. ROC
me bear reared up, snarling with tba
alh' out for moment It dared not dee
iree- The sudden appearance Of hoo
girl and the horse held him mo- weY
htariiy at bay. The girl swung to =
ground In one leap. fred again. thsr
ust her arm through the loop of dav
oridle rein, then knelt ut Bruce's VIII,
I. The white blade that she car con,
In her left hand sashed AT his n,ns
DIS PIG
ne horse, plungiDg. seemed 10 Jerk nnc.
body back and forth, and endless On
'nds seemed TO 90 by before the on.
of the thongs was severed. Iu tv-
ity The whole yescue was unbeIlev. csyv
swift. The psn helped her all IA,
'ou'd' "rp-up into the saddle" ...ss
commanded. The grizzly grosisd s.ss
~, nHtAilciHg TenInfn.lo.sl.. s..,...,,.., -