The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-01-09


fear or understanding % the two hu-
mana Tho grouse rolled on their
protective celebration. Just as when
menaced by the beasts a. prey. An
otter. rarely. indeed. seen IN daylight.
lowered 9 moment beside little
stream 60 consider them. and q
eoycte greatest of all towards. lin
sered IN their trail until they were
within so feet Of his gray form. then
frctted shyiy away.
I'VE won't ssarve for meat, that's
certain Hen informed her. HIS
voice was suhdued. he had fallen
naturally into the mood Of auietness
that dweils ever In tho primevai for
est.
Because the TRAN seemed 20 be- lead
tina them too far from the water
ways. they took a side trail ctrciinE
about wooded hill. Ever Ben
studied the landmarks. looked care
fully down the draws and tried 20
learn as much as possible OF. the
geography Of the country. and Hea-
trice understood hts purpose with
entire eicarness. He wished 20 10
Y
every natural advantage and insur-
snce against surprise attack He de-
sired that every ADVANTAGE OF warfare
Be In hts favor when finally he came
60 grips with Nelson and his nen.
They crossed low ridge. following
Down another % the thousand creeks
that water the northern lands In
q moment n led them 20 a long.
narrow lake blue as q sapphire IN It's
frame Of dusky spruce.
For a moment both Of them halted
on rs hank. held by It's virgin beauty.
Lost IN the soittude- as u was. per-
eyes % men. stiil II gave no impress
sion % hieaknes- and stagnaffon.
Rather n was scene % scintillating
use. vivid past all expression. Far
out az ring. on the opposite shore q
huge bull moose stood like a statue
IN black marble. gazing out over the
shfmmerfng expansc. Trout ieaped.
flashing silver. anywhere they might
hook. and a flock Of loon shrfeked
dernented cries from IFS center. The
FURNISHED wings % q flock % NAL.
lard flashed In the air. startled by
sons- creeping hunter
Slowly. delighted In spite ~ them
selves hy the lovely spot. they fol-
lcwed along It's shore They climbed
the bank: and now Hon b~xsn 20
examine his surroundings with grea,
care.
He Rad suddenly realized that ne
',~as IN region wonderfully fitted for
his permanent camp. The low ridge
between the lake and the creek gave
q clear view Of q large part Of the
SURROUNDING country. affordine him
every chance Of seeing his enemies
swfore they saw him n they came
along the rfvcr--the course they
would naturally foflow-shey would
b. obliged TO Cross the beaver marsh
IA haif-miie Of open grassland with
no protecting coverta Beatrice aw.
disnayed. that his gray eyes were
kfndlfng With unho,y IRE undsr his
heavy. DART hruwM
what n ~ should Sc them. dssp
b the wst grass. nnns across the
open marsh! How many shots
would b needed TO bring his war 70
Z triumphant ends There were no
thickets IN which they might find
shelter: hidden himself they could
not return his fire. Before they
could break ana run 70 cover ne
could destroy them all,
Should they cross tho narrow neck
NJ the marsh. higher up. he would
have every chance TO see them on the
lake shore Tho site was good from
the point OF health and comfort
high enough TO escape the worst Of
the insect pests. close 20 fresh water.
plenty Of fuel. and within few hun
tred yards Of q lake that simply
warmed with fish and waterfowl.
san following . narrow. racing
trout stream that flowed into the
lake they advanced . short distance
farther. clear to the base Of . rock
wall. And all At once Beatrice. walk
Ing In fronf. drew up with n gasp.
she stood At the ~fx- OF q little
glade. perhaps 30 yards across. lying
NJ the base Of the cliff. The creek
flowed thru II. the grass was green
and rich. beloved by the antIcred
herds that came 20 Craze. the tall
spruce shaded It on three sides. But
n was not These things that caught
the girls eye. Just at the edge OF
n glade dark hole yawn.d In the
face Of the cliff
In an instant more they we're BE-
sids u. gazing into It's depths II was
a natural cavern with rock walls and