The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-08-01

other. Each was nerved to the utmost
by the realization of his peril. But
WInton was fighting for Sheila-
Sheila, whom the next flash showed
standing, quIvering with fesx. upon the
opposite edge.
go back I" Winton shouted to her
Even the utterance meant some In
f1nitesimal diminution In the concen.
tration of his muscles and Will. In an
instant he felt that De Witt had him
at an advantage. The Dutchman's
savage face was thrust into his own,
his breath was hot on his cheek. He
felt himself bend backward, he grasped
at nothingness; he fell, dragging his
enemy after him.
With a convulsive effort he caught
at and chung to the projecting ledge.
His feet felt for hold. De Witt,
who had evidently empted his re
volver. brought down the butt on Win
tons hands. Winton chung with des-
peratiOn. Across the chasm he heard
Sheila screaming, and the lightning
flashes, which were almost continuous,
showed him her figure with hardly per
ceptible intervals of darkness.
De Witt was leaning forward over
the chasm, his feet planted upon the
edge striving to detach Winton from
his perilous hold. Again and again
the revolver butt came down. Winton
heard bone In his wrist splinter. He
let one hand go, swinging out over the
chasm. De Witt, braclng himself
against the wall. was pushing with all
his strength.
Suddenly Winton remembered
school trick. II he should let himself
go, De Wits own impetus would carry
him after him. Could he swing free
and catch the opposite bank In fall
ing7
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 chasm 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
ciawed at the rocks, missed them,
struck Winton: and with scream that |
echoed above the thunder he went |
hurting down to death.
1t was seconds before the distant |
thud Of the body upon the rocks be-
meath the gorge told Winton that De
Witt would trouble Sheila no more.
Wlnton reached the cave, stood up,
Ind caught Sheila In his arms She
vas falnting, her lips sought his own
'eebly; then her head dropped on his
shoulder.
BY the next flash Of lightning Win
ON measured the gap He could al
most straddle II; could he. bearing
shella. make the leap7 He hesitated.
Then, with wild yells, the Hotten-
.ots, who had heard De Wits cry,
zane swarming up toward the en-
rance of the cave.
Winton measured the distance with
his eyes and leaped. II was a terrific
Jump for man carrying an uncon-
Icious woman In his arms. He tot
cred upon the opposite edge, but did
lot fall. The Hottentots were Just
the cave. Winton, crouching
'ehind the ledge, saw them stare
bout them in amazement.
He saw that the narrow orifice Wild
ned behind him into a larger cavern.
IN enormous boulder, hanging from
he roof, poised like rocking stone
pom smaller one, partly concealed
he approach. At once an idea, born
{ his desperate situation, came to
Vinton. If he could dislodge the
tone he could effectively bar the Hot
entots from following him.
He set Sheila down and put his
boulder against the boulder. 1t
TIRED, 1t rocked, 1t resumed its posi-
on.
Another fiash-and he was seen. t
cling. the Hottentots rushed forward
he foremost saw the chasm and hest a
tied. D
Then Winton, putting forth all his
rength, shifted the stone. a
It fell, bringing down a shower of ,
.bris from the roof of the cave. Wln-, d
n stumbled among the rafting "
ones, and, catching up Sheila, stag u
red along the passage. But he O.
rned as the succession of thunder
IS crashes ceased. and waited for the Z
'xt flash. None came, and he heard u
It the least sound from the Hotten- n
Is behind him. l
After full minute Winton struck a n
atch. To his amazement he saw, by
e little light, that the passage behind W
IN was completely obllterated. The Ia
II of the stone had brought down q
miniature landslide. All traces OF M
e entrance beneath the mountain 10
d vanished. No light, no sound IN
uld penetrate
Winton tried to strike another
itch. But the box was damp, and m
2 slight flame fizzled out immedi-
sly. He tried another and another W
th like result
He sat down quietly at SheIla's side. pc
ter, he thought YEARLY, he would
/ his way onward in the darkness. to
W, worn out by the day and by his at
uggie. ne had an intense desire TO tie
ep. to-