The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-10-21

"A big smiling Canadian made the
first one. I found him singing on
the summit ;"
Pierce's companion paused: then,
after an incredulous stare, he said i:
Look! Is that smoke coming from
my stovepipe?'
why, ycs!"
There could be no mistake about
it; from the tent in question arose
the plain evidence that q lively FIRE
was burning inside.
We'll. III be darnedw breathed
the elder man. Somebody's jumped
the cache"
Perhaps your partner
Hes in Sheep Camp" The
speaker laboriously loosened his pack
and let it fall, then with stiff,
clumsy fingers he undid the top but
tons of his vest and. to Pierce's
amazement, produced a large-calib-
cred revolver, which he mechanically
cooked and knocked several times.
the while his eyes remained hyp-
notically fixed upon the telltale
streamer of smoke. Not only did his
action appear to be totally uncalled
for, but he himself had undergone
startling transformation and Phil
lips was impelled to demonstrate.
Here! What the DEUCE" he
Listen to me!"7 The old man
spoke in a queer suppressed tone
and his eyes, when he turned them
upon his fellow-packer, were even
smoker than usual. "Somebody's
up to a little thievin', most likely, and
it looks like l had 'em red-handed.
I've ben layin' fox this!'
Pierce Invested himself of liz
then said. simply, If
that's the case. Ill give you a hand"
Better stand back" the other
cautioned him. II don't need any
help-this is my line" The mans
fatigue had fallen from him; of .
sudden he had become surprisingly
alert and forceful. He stole for
ward, making as little noise a. pos
sible. end Phillips followed at his
back, They came to a pause with
in ann length of the tent flaps,
which they noted were securely tied.
Hello inside!" The owner spoke
suddenly and with his free hand he
;erked at one of the knots.
There came an answering exclama-
ton, a movement; then the flaps
were seized and firmly held.
You can't come in!" cried .
voice.
LET go! Quick!" The old man.
voice was harsh.
You'll have to wait a minute.
I'm undressed."
Phillips retreated a step, as did
the other man; they stared at each
other.
"A woman!" Pierce brcathed.
Lord" The owner of the prem
Uses slowly, reluctantly sheathed his
weapon under his left arm.
Il invited myself in," the voice
cxplained-it was a deep-pitched
contralto voice. Il was wet and no.
body offered to let me dry out, so
l took possession of the first empty
tent l came to. Is it yours?"
1T is-half of it. I'm mighty
tired and amt particular how you
look. so hurry up" As the two men
returned for their loads the speaker
went on, irritably. "She's got her
nerve! s'pose she's one of these
actresses. There's a bunch of 'em
on the trail. Actresses He snort
ed derisively. Il bet she smells of
cologne, and. goshl how l hate it"
When he and Pierce returned they
were admitted promptly enough, and
any lingering suspicious of the tres
intent were instantly dissi-
pated. The woman was clad in q
short, damp underslxirt which fell
about to her knees; she had drawn
en- the only dry article of apparel,
in sight, a mans sweater jacket; she
had thrust her bare feet into pair
of beaded moccasins; on q line at
tached to the ridgepole over her
head sundry outer garments were
steaming. Phillips first thought was
that this woman possessed the fair
est. the whitest skin he had ever
seen; it was like milk. She was Seam
dinavian, she was a Norsewoman !:
that much was instantly apparent. She
appeared to derive certain malicious
pleasure now from the CONSERVATION
her appearance evoked; there was a
hint of contempt. of Defiance. in her
smile. In a voice so low-pitched that
its quality alone saved it from mas
cu1inity. she said:
pray don't be distressed; you
merely startled me, that's all. Ny
Indians managed to get hold of some
hootch at Tagish and upset our canoe
just below here.
Ito be continued)