Roanoke Rapids herald., 1923-11-23
CHAPTER xiv-continued.

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Stewart led Majesty out into the
darkness past line of mounted
horses.
Guess we're ready" he said. "I'll
make the count" He went hack along
the line, and on the return Madeline
heard him say several times, "Now
everybody ride close to the horse in
front, and keep quiet till dayligte.
Then the snorting and pounding of the
big black horse in front of her told
Madeline that Stewart had mounted.
IAN right. we're off," he called.
Madeline lifted Majesty's bride and
let the roam go. The trail led in a
roundabout way through shallow gul-
lies full of stone and brush washed
down by floods. At every turn now
Madeline expected to come upon wa
ter and the waiting pack-train. But
time passed, and miles of climbing,
and no water or horses were met. Ex-
pectation in Madeline gave place to
desire; she was hungry.
Stewart Kept on. 1t was eight o'clock
by Madeline's watch when, upon turn
ing into wide hollow. she saw horses
grazing on spare grass. a great pile of
canvas-coyered bundles, and fire
round which cowboys and two MeXi-
can women we're busy.
Madeline SIT her horse and reviewed
her followers as they rode up single
Ale. Her guests were in merry mood.
and they ull talked at once.
"Breakfast - and rustic" called
out Stewart, without ceremony.
For that matter, Madeline observed
Helen did not show any marked con-
trast to the others. The hurry order
did not interfere with the meal being
somewhat in the nature of a picnic.
As soon as the pack train was In
readiness Stewart started 1t off in the
lead to break trail A heavy growth
bf shrub interSpersed with rock and
cactus covered the slopes and now all
the trail appeared to be uphill. The
pack-train forged ahead, and the trail
ing couples grew farther apart. At
noon they got out of the foothills to
face the real ascent of the mountains.
Stewart waited for Madeline. and
as she came up he said Were going
TO have storm. Shall l call halt
and make camp?"
Here? Oh no. What do you think
best r'
"Well. if we have a good healthy
thunderstorm it will be something new
for your friends. think we'd be wise
10 keep on the go. There's no place
to make good camp. If 1t rains, LET
X rain. The pack outfit is well COW
cred. We will have 10 get wet"
Surely replied Madeline and she
smiled at his inference. She knew
what storm was in that country. and
her guests had yet to experience one.
IF 1t rains. let it rain"
Stewart rode on. and Madeline fol
lowed. The way led In winding
wrenched forest of stunted trees. Even
up 70 this elevation the desert reached
with its gaunt hand. The clouds over
spreading the sky, hiding the sun,
made welcome change. The pack
train rested. and Stewart and Made
lime waited for the party to come up.
Here he briefly explained to her that
Don Carlos and his bandits had left
the ranch some time In the night The
air grew oppressive; the horses painted
Sure it'll be hummer" said Stew
nj. NThe first storm almost always Is
bad. l can feel it in the air.
The air, indeed, seemed to be
charged with heavy force that was
waiting to be liberated.
One by one the couples mounted to
the cedar forest and the feminine
contingent declaimed eloquently for
rest But there was to be no perma-
nent rest until night and then that de-
pended upon reaching the crags. The
pack-train wagged onward, and Stew
xrt fell in hehind. The storm-center
gathered slowly around the peaks;
low rumble and bowl of thunder in
creased in frequence; slowly the light
shaded as smoky clouds rolled up; the
air grew sultrier, and the eXasperating
breeze pulled a few times and then
failed.
An hour later the party had climbed
high and was rounding the side of
great bare ridge that long had hidden
the crags. The last burro of the pack
train plodded over the ridge out of
Madeline's sight. She looked back
ward down the slope, amused to see
her guests change wearily from side to
side in their saddles. Far below lay
the cedar flat ana the foothills. Far
TO the west the sky was still clear,
with shafts of sunlight shooting down
from behind the encroaching clouds.
Stewart reached the summit of the
ridge and, though only a few rods
ahead, he waved TO her. sweeping his
hand round to what he saw beyond. 1t
WAS an impressive gesture, and Made
line. never having climbed as high as
this, anticipated much.
Majesty surmounted the last few
steps and snorting halted beside
Stewards black. To Madeline the
scene was as If the world had changed.
The ridge was a mountain-top. 1t
dropped before her into black, stone
rdged. shrub-patched, many -canyoned
gulf. Massed lnky clouds were piling
across the peaks, obscuring the high
ct ones. A fork of white lightning
flashed. and. like the booming Of an
avalanche, thunder followed.
Madeline glanced at Stewart He