The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-11-21


man finally crept over an outcropping
ledge, imperceptible from where they
stood. and disappeared. 1t seemed as
though he was gone long while.
Deborah, hand pressed on her heart,
never removed her eyes from the spot,
or stirred. What had he found up
there? Surely he must have discov-
cred something-the dead, mangled
body, no doubt. Then he appeared
again, alone. standing up and gazing
down at them. His voice as he hailed
them below. sounded clear, exultant,
a new ring in its tone.
"He amt here, miss, but, by Cd.
sir, believe he's alive"
| Deborah could not speak. could not
utter a sound. Alivel Alivel why
that was impossible; her very heart
seemed to stop beating. She could
only stare up at the man daZed and
helpless. 1t was the lieutenant who
| answered.
"You say he is alive, Carney%
swell, he sure left here alive, sir,
and on his own legs. | found the
place where he come down. an where
| he got on his feet again. There
wasn't nobody else here helpin' him,
an he started off along this ledge
limpin' bit, l should say. but goin'
alone. Whatever happened since. sir,
he certainly left here able to navigate.
Maybe l better follow the trailY
Eyes, go on, Sergeant"
Deborah's limbs trembled so she
could scarcely walk for the FIRST few
steps. She chung gratefully to the
lieutenant's arm, her gaze never de-
sorting the man moving cautiously
along the narrow ledge of rock high
above them. AliveI Daniel Kelleen
was alive Nothing else mattered ::
Her hands clasped tightly at the Off
GERS sleeve.
Have the sergeant hurry; please
have him hurry He doesn't need to
trace Captain Kelleen's trail. II
am sure 1 knew where he was going"
"Where was that?"
"To the cave l had found, and told
him about; it is there just beyond
there are horses grazing yonder-they
have found him already"
There were two animals in little
cove, hobbled. and nibbling at the
short grass, but both saddled and
bridled. They had the Meager ranch
brand on their tanks, and the SER
geant, joining the party below. easily
followed the trail of two men on foot
until they circled the mound of earth,
and assembled the opposite side.
Deborah pressed her way forward, too
eager now to be longer held back, yet
fully realizing the danger confront
ing them.
BE careful here" she warned.
They are certainly in there-two or
three, at least, and they will shoot.
Here, Sergeant. let me show you;
know the way"
They were already before the cling
ing vines; her hands trembled as she
forced these aside revealing the black
vacancy behind. The startled SER
geant pressed them farther back. star
ing bewildered into the void. his serv-
ice revolver thrust forward. an oath
breaking from his lips.
"By Cd! but this beats HI. sir.
On it. but I'm goin' in!'
He went over the barrier Of rock
unmolested. unstopped, and recklessly
Deborah followed. The lieutenant
paused an instant.
Jones, you and Calhoun follow us;
the others remain out here. Keep
your eyes open. lads"
The next moment he had also scram-
bled through the opening. and crouched
down beside the trembling girl. Just
ahead the two could dimly distinguish
Carney. leaning forward, peering into
the total darkness beyond.
"It's-it's perfectly level the floor
is" she whispered. you can follow
along the WALL did"
They advanced together slowly.
feeling their way. scarcely sound
breaking the silence. Suddenly the
sergeant, slightly in advance, stopped.
feeling at something on the floor with
his feet; then he stopped over.
"By Cd, here's a dead mani"
"a dead mani Are you sure?"
"He's dead all right, sir. Where's
the fiashlight? We've got to find out
what this means"
Zones has it; Jones, come up here.
Give me the flash"
The round glare of light struck the
side walls. swept over the still kneel- |
Ing sergeant, glinting on his drawn
weapon. and then touched the notion
less body outstretched on the floor. At
last 1t rested on the upturned face.
The sergeant stared down as though
he saw a ghost.
"By CD" he CALCULATED at last,
by Cd it's the old devil himself.
"Whats that Carney you know
lim?"
"Know himl Why, sir. Lieutenant,
rs Gomez, Manuel Gomez-there's
ifty thousand dollars on him dead or
,liye. Well. he's dead all right"
Gomez, the outlaw; but are you
,ure?"
"Sure." the sergeant rose to his feet
nd cUuuu ahOut "Sure? H!