The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-09-18

was NOT necessary to finish. In
another instant Lord George had
spread out the parchment and as MANY
heads as could get near were bent
over 1t.
In geographic features the man
seemed practically Identical with the
one that had been sent to Mrs. Arch
man Dy mall ten days before. II diff
rered from 1t, however, In having sew
eral black lines which the first one
iacKed, and In having only single
comparatively short red line instead OF
iohg curved one. The red line start
eu from the sea at the north end of
the island and followed an underlying
Dlack line almost straight UP the peak.
Inc black lines formed a rough and
very open network over the island
Inc cleft wherein the six were canned
was roughly shown on the map and
was cut not far from the shore by a
oiack line that paralleled the course
of the cliffs.
MISS Denslow put finger on the in
tersection. That black line marks
the break in the walls of the ravine,"
she said sagely. 1.-The one we noticed
as we were going up this noon. Prob
ably a trail leads through 1t. All
these black lines are probably trails.
If we follow this one north II will
bring us to the path marked by the red
llne-the line we should have fol-
lowed In the first place. And If we
Start as soon as we have eaten some
thing, we'll get to our destination be-
fore those mutineers get there"
Nobody spoke for moment Miss
Denslow's explanation seemed very
reasonable and in fact convincing. But
they felt reluctant to leave the spot
where they were encamped. Desolate
as 1t was, 1t was yet the place where
they had last seen other human be-
ings and where, If anywhere, other
human beings would seek them. More
over, few of the party relished fur
ther tramp through the darkness. Mrs.
Archman, indeed, broke down entire
ly. Il can't" she sobbed; II can't
walk another step"
"Oh, yes. you can! WeIl help you"
Miss Denslow spoke cheerfully. We've
got to go. If we don't get there by
morning, the mutineers will get ahead
of us, and If they take Mr.. Archman
unawares we can't"
mot to mention the people on that
torpedo boat,p struck in Lord George.
Miss Denslow is right By morning
at the latest they'll be following us.
Unless we want to betray Mr.. Arch
mans hiding place we've got to get
there before daylight"
~ forgot" Mrs. Archman struggled
up heroically. "Come on. I'll CO."
mo hurry!" Miss Denslow pressed
the older lady back. wen make bet
ter time If we rest a while and eat
something. Besides, the moon will be
up soon and walking will be easier"
Bess laughed. 1t was rather weak
laugh, but it was laugh. WED bet
ter get at our sumptuous repast," she
said, unless we want to eat in the
dark. Here goes the last piece Of fire.
wood, and the men say they can't
find any more. And an electric torch,
though useful, will not illuminate a
whole dinner table. Besides. well
need 1t later"
Bess was right. The FIRE was dying,
and long before the supper. simple as
1t was, could be finished, darkness had
again descended upon the scene.
When the last red ember winked out,
several of the party drew long breaths
But nobody said anything. Their feel
ings were too deep for words. Each
however, undoubtedly took some CON-
fort from hearing the others MUNICH
ing away at their hardtack in the
darkness.
At last Lord George got up. "The
moon is up" he said. pointing to the
top of the canyon, where the tree tops
had begun to silver against the sky.
It's time to move.'
"Wait!" Miss Denslow's voice came
kissing in the gloom. 'Listen!'
Out on the water of the inlet sound
ed the steady beat of oars, coming
nearer and nearer Mrs. Archman
started up thankfully. They've come
for u.s. oh! They've come for u.s.
she murmured. 81 knew they couldn't
desert us. Call to them. Bess. Cal
to them"
"Wait" Miss Denslow and Lord
George spoke together. "Wait and
see who they are first"
But"
For Gods sake be still !" breathed
Lord George. "Silence! Keep well
back under the ledge. for your life'i
sake"
Awed by his tones, all shrank back
flattening themselves against the
rocks, and waited, listening.
The sound of the oars against the
oarlocks had ceased. AnoSaer instant
and low order, followed by con
certed rafting, showed that the crew
of the boat had shipped oars with