The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-12-20
BE0IN Had TODAY,

Freed from prison because he SUI
'ered with amnesia, Ben Darby
caves for tho Yuga River Will
Ezra Melville, an old friend, &c
whom he is paroled. The two 20 Il
take possession Of a rich claim left
by the dead prospector, Hiram Mel
, vile. who had written on his death
bed for his brother Ezra to come.
Jeffrey Nelson and his two fol-
lowers, Ray Brent and Chan Hemin-
way. plan to steal the Melville claim
before Ezra can arrive.
Beatrice, beautiful daughter OF
Nelson, is loved by Ray Brent, but
she detests him. When Ben and
Ezra arrive in the north woods, Oar
bys memory suddenly Is restored.
on the way to Snowy Gulch, Ben
and Ezra meet a frontiersman who
tells Ezra that the Nelson gang is
already at the Melville claim. Keep
ing this knowledge from Ben, Ezra
suggests that Darby 30 to Snowy
Gulch to call for Ferris, pet OF Hiram
Melville. Ezra goes alone toward
his brothers claim. AT Snowy
Gulch, Ben calls for Fenris and finds
him to be a wolf who has just
broken loose and is about to spring
upon a girl standing in his pathway.
Ben seems TO possess some secret
power over the wolf and succeeded
IN duieting him instantly. Beatrice
Nelson, the rescued girl, travels with
Ben to join her father. On his ar
rival at the Yuga River, Ben can
find no trace OF Ezra, so he calls
upon Fenris to aid him in the search.
GO ON WITH THE STORY
Hes my buddy. old boy. and
want you to find him for me Ben
went on, more patiently. II"
searched his pockets, drawing out al
last the COPY Of the letter Fzram
had given him that morning. and,
because the old man had carried il
for many days. II could still convey
a message to the keen nose Of the
wolf. He put II TO the animals
nostrils. then pointed away into the
darkness.
Fenris followed the motion with
his eyes; and presently his long BODY
stiffened. Ben watched him. fascin-
ated. Then the wof shifted at the
paper again and trotted away into
the night.
following him. The wolf turned
once, saw that his master was al
his heels, and sped on. They turned
up a slight draw, toward the MIL
side.
Ferris halted at the edge OF dis
4snt thicket. The cold sweat sp@anS
out on Ben's forehead, and he broke
into a headlong run.
"Dzram!" he called, a curious
throbbing quality in his voice. Are
Together, the man and the wolf,
they crept on into the thicket. They
halted at last before curious
shadow in the silvered covert Ben
rcnaw AZ once he had found his an
Gent eomrade.
He ana Ezram had their last
gaugh together. He lay very still,
tne moonlight ensilvering his droll,
kindly face-sleeping so deeply that
40 human voice could ever waken
him. An ugly rifle wound yaWned |
darkly at his temple.
For a long time Ben sat beside the |
lead body Of his old counselor and !
friend as a child might sit among |
flowers.
His mind began to work clear |
gain: he began 10 understand.
Ezram had been shot, murdered by |
he men who had jumped his claim. |
His mind naturally fell to Ezram's |
parting advice 10 him. i've only |
rot one decent place to keep things !
Iafe. and that amt so ALTERED de-
sent" the old man had told him. Il /
liways put 'em down my bootleg. be-
.ween tho sock and the leather II |
ever get shuffled off, all OF 2 sud
fen. want YOU to look there care
ul."
stm with the same deathly pal!or
ie crept over the dead leaves TO Ez-
ANS feet. His hands were perfect
v steady as he unlooped the laces.
m after another, and quietly pulled
W the right boot. In the boot leg,
ust as Ezram had promised, Ben
ound a scrap Of white paper.
lie spread It on his knee and un-
olded It with care. lie felt in his
pocket for a match.
The match cracked, Unfortunately i
oud in the silence, and his eyes fol-
owed the script. E.zram had been
althul to the last:
70 Whom 1t May Concern:
In case Of my death l leave all !
lie possessed OF including my broth
r Hiram's claim near Yusa River
o my pard and buddy. Ben Darby.
Ezra Melville.
The document was an formal as EZ-
am could make it, with carefully |,
rawn seal. and for all it's quaint !
rordfnE. 1t was a will to stand in
nv court. But Ezram had not been
bic to hold his dignity for long.
fe had added a postscript:
Son, old Hiram made a viii. and
guess I can make one too. I just
ound ont about them devils that
lmped our claim. I left you back !
here at the river because l didn't
ant you taking any dam fool risks
III / found out how things lay. 4
/ Just got one thing to ask. II