Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1924-05-17
CHAPTER xvl-consinosd.

They were so equally matched tbat
neither seemed able 70 bulge the
other. Zach was neryed TO the utmost
By the realization Of his peril But
Wint0n was fighting FOR Saeila-
shega. whom the next flash showed
standing. Quiyering vita fear, upon the
opposite edge
eco back :" wInt0n shouted to her
Even the ufferance meant some In
nnltesI mai diminut.on I'm tie c0ncen-
;ratiou ~ his muscles and VIII. Ii an
instant he felt that De Witt had him
NJ an advantage Tire Dutehmaas
savage face was thrust into bis own
his breath was hot on his cheek He
felt himself bend backward be grasped
AZ nothingness he fell, dragging his
enemy after him.
with a convuls.ye effort he caught
ct and chung to the projecting ledge.
His feet felt for a hold De Witt
who had evidently emptied his re-
volver brought down the butt on Win
toms hands Winton clung with des-
peratlon Across the chasm he heard
shella screaming and the lightning
flashes which were almost continuous,
showed him her figure with hardly per
eeptlble intervals Of darkness.
he Witt vas leaning forward over
tire chasn, his feet planted upon the
edge. striving 70 detach Wintou from
his periIous hold. Again and again
the revolver butt came down Wlnton
heard a bone In his wrist splinter He
LOT one hand 60 swinging out over the
chssm De Witt braclng himself
against the wall was pushing with all
his strength.
Suddenly Winton remembered q
school trick. II he should let himself
70. De Wits own impetus would carry
him after him Gould he swing free
and catch the opposite bank in fail
ing1
He could hold on no longer. Open
Ing his bruised hand, he plunged down
ward and forward BY a miracle he
found the edge of the chssm on the
outer side Of the cave He swung
there dizzIly. he drew himself up
ward
At the same instant he heard De
Witt fall forward, The Dutchman
clawed at the rocks. missed them.
struck Winton and with a scream that
echoed above the thunder he went
hurting down to death
II was seconds before the distant
thud Of the body upon the rocks be-
meath the gorge told Wlnton that De
witt would trouble Sheila no more.
Winton reached the cave. stood up.
and caught SheIla in his arms. She
was falnting. her lips sought his own
feebly then her head dropped on his
shoulder.
BY the next fash OF lightning Win
ton measured the gap. He could al
most straddle ~ could he, hearing
sheila make the leap2 He hesitated.
Then, with Wild yells. the Hotten-
tots who had heard De Wits cry,
came Swarming up toward the en-
trance Of the cave
Winton measured the distance with
his eyes ard leaped II was a terrific
Jump for man carrying an uncon-
Hcious woman in bis arms. He tot
tered upon the opposite edge. but did
not fail The Hottentots were Just
entering the cave. Winton. crouching
behind the ledge. saw them stare
about them in amazepent,
He saw that the narrow orldce Wild.
ened behind him into larger cavern.
An enormous boulder hanging from
the roof, poised like a rocking-stone
upon q smaller one, partly concealed
inc approach Al once an Idea, born
Of his desperate situation. came TO
Winton II DE could disiodge the
stone he could effectively bar the Hot
renfots from following BIN
He ser Sbela down and put his
shoulder against the boulder 1t
stirred it rocked, It resumed its posi-
ton
Another fasb-snd he was seen.
Yelling. the HouensoJs rushed forward.
The foremost Saw the chasm and hest
tated
iben Wnton. putting forth all his
strength shifted the stone.
Ii fell, bringing down shower of
debris from the roef az Tie cave Win
ton stumbled among the rafting
stones and. catching up Sbe,Ia stag
gered along the passage. But he
turned rs the succession ~ thunder
Gus crashes ceased, and waited FOR The
NEXT flash None came. and he heard
not tie least sound from the Hotter
tots behind him
After a full minute Einton struck a
match To his amazement he saw. bv
the little light, that the passage behind
him was completely obllterated The
fall OF the stone bad brought down
q miniature landslide All traces Of
the entrance beneath the mountain
had vanished No light. no sound
could penetrate
Wlnton tried TO strike another
match. But the box was damp. and
the slight fame dzzled out lmueii-
sesly He tried another and another
with Ike result
Re sat down quietly az Shella's side
later he thought YEARLY, he would
rae} his way anvrary In fha darkness