The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1922-01-31
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When the dawn came full and
bright over the Clearwater. BIN and
his party were ready 10 start When
Harold had been thoroly cowed and
his fun Instructions given him. the
thongs had been put about his
ankles and removed from hts wrists.
and he was permitted to do the
packing. That procedure was ex
seeding simple. all available blankets
were piled on the sled and made
into bed for Virginia. and the
AZ. candles. and such cooking uten.
sis IS were needed were packed In
front And then they had short
but decisive Interview with Harold.
Il won't gc-ili die FIRST he
cried to Virginia Besides. you
don't dare 70 use force on me: you
don't know the way and Bill can't
seq You know II you kill me you'll
de yourself
~ Pair enough virginia replied
swectiy. But take lust this little
word OF advice Bin and WIRE all
reconciied 10 dying when we thought
OF you--and VIC won't mind IL now
if vs'rs sure you are going along
Dont get any false IDEAS about that
pctn&. Harold We're not roins 20
spare ron on any long chance OF
saving ourselves. We are going 20
give you = little more foot room.
and ffx mp your hands Iittl-. and
then you are going 70 pun the sled.
When ne camp at night you're TO
ing 70 cut the wood. Don't think
for = minute I'm going TO be afraid
TO shoot n you dlsobcy one order
II you take one step against Us.
You are at our mercy. We are not
as yours. And Bal win tell you
can shoot straight Perhaps you
learned that fact last night"
Yes. Harold had learned. He bad
learned II very we'll
IF I think you're trying 10 cheat
us--so lead US out OF the way to-
ward your breed friends--you'rc go
ing to have q chance 20 learn Il
batter she went on, newer a uuaver
Ia her voice. IT won't wait to make
sure--ITl shoot you thru the neck
a. easy and as quick az ia shoot a
.
ybu did last night: I'm just eager
for . chance TO pay you for H."
Her voice grew more sober. This
II q snrnlng-the oniy one and the
ins1 one that you win get I'm go
ing to watch you every minute and
tie you up At night And the fact
chat We can't 70 on without you
won't have a jot OF influence II you
mks q step against US. We may
die ourselves. but you know that
you'll also die
This was not the sheltered. In
capable girl OF society that al.
dressed him now. These words were
those OF the woodswoman: the eyes
that Eazed into his were unwaver.
ing ard hard. He knew that she
was speaking true. The courage
for retaliation oozed out OF him as
mud oozes into a river.
They heightened the thong that
tied his ankles together. giving him
room for a full walking step but
not enough TO leap or run. They
put on his hands pair OF awkward
nittens that had been stiffencd by
mud and water, and lashed them
70 his wrists Then they slipped
the thong Of the sled across his
shoulders and under his arms like
the loops of kyack. They were
sadly 20 go.
/ The forest was laden with the
/ esrly-morning silence; the trees
| stood draped In snow n was cold,
| foo--fhc frost gathered quickly
On the mufners that they vote
about their lips. All too well they
knew what lay before them. with.
out food to keep their bodies nour.
ished and warm. they could scarce.
~ hope TO make the town; their one
chance wa that somewhere on the
trail they would encounter game.
How long a chance IL was, this late
IN winter. they knew all too surely.
but for all this knowledge Bill and
Virginia were cheerful.
II haven't much hope" Bill told
her when she was tucked into the
bed on the sled But It's the only
chance we have"
She smiled AZ him. at least. Bill.
we'll have done everything we
could. Cood-by. little cabin---where
found happiness. Sometime per.
haps well come back 70 your
The man bent and kissed her, and
-. gave the word for Harold 70
start.
Slowly they headed toward the
river. The crust was perfect: fiar-
old could hardly feel the weight Of
the sied. Bill musbed behind, guild
81 by the gee.pole The white
draped trees they had known so
well spoke no word Of farewell.