The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1925-04-22

And even in the darkness of their
from his resolution. And gradually his
plans formed in his mind.
Then night began to fall, and Lee
breathed a vast sigh of relief. IN
less his plans miscarried, they should
be safe upon the mainland we'll before
midnight
These depended, of course, upon his
being able to capture one of the boats.
The best plan for the Free Traders
would have been to have withdrawn
them to the promontory, knowing
that Lee could not swim with the girl
across that stretch of ice-cold water.
Lee felt sure that, in their eagerness,
feeling secure in their numbers, they
would encamp upon the shore, either
Bleaching the boats or leaving them
anchored under the single guard in the
middle channel.
About half an hour after dark he
set out on his Investigations. He
moved through the brush as softly as
any Indian, and, booted though he was,
| hardly twig cracked under his feet.
Making his way toward the central
portion, where the trees were sparser
and the ground undulating, he soon
discovered what he was looking for,
the distant glow of camp fire.
Four men were seated around the
fire, drinking and conversing loudly.
It was impossible to make out their
faces in the darkness, but Lee waited
patiently until the light Of the fire
fell upon each, and ascertained that
none of them was bearded.
Railway. then, was either In charge
of the motor boat, with the sixth man,
or had been forced to return to his
headquarters, owing to his condition.
Lee circled the camp, and dis
covered. to his joy, the York boat,
beached on the shore about twenty
five yards distant The men had not
troubled to draw it up on birch rollers
where it would have been matter of
time and labor to float it again; 1t
lay with it's keel in the mud, careening
to the lap Of the little waves.
Lee cogitated. If the men got drunk
that night, it might be possible to make
off with the boat without arousing
them. On the other hand the prob
abilities were that through fear of
Railway they would stay sober
enough to guard It effectively. And
the delay was telling upon his nerves.
He decided that at all cost 1t was
necessary to make the attempt as
quickly as possible.
He made his way back to the girl,
strapped the pack on his back, and,
taking her in his arms. began to ap-
proach the encanpment by circuitous
route through the trees.
In the darkness, staggering over the
uneven ground, and loaded as he was,
the task was an all but impossible one.
But, added to this, the girl awakened |
and began talking disjointedly, some |
times crying out in fear. 1t was al |
most impossible to quiet her.
She chung to him, moaning. For |
whole hour he tried to assuage her |
terrors, until at last she dropped |
asleep again from weakness and weari-
ness.
Once more Lee took up his task.
Now the campfire came into view. The
four men were still visible about 1t,
shouting and quarreling; they were
drunk, but not drunk enough to rem
der escape without a fight possible.
Creeping, almost inch by inch. to the
extension of raspberry brambles, Lee
it down to the waters edge
and laid the girl down. He looked at
her apprehensively for moment, but
her eyes were closed in sleep and her
breathing was soft and regular.
Then coolly Lee stepped out into the
open space and made his way toward
the group.
He was within five and twenty yards
Of them before they perceived him. and
then they seemed to take him for one
of their party. Lees impressions were
q confused shouting and challenging.
His GOODNESS disconnected and bewild-
cred them: he was almost upon them
before Pierre recognized him.
by gar, it's dat d-n four
lusher!" he shouted.
And on the instant Lee was into the
.hick of them. A tall ruffian grasped
/ rifle and rushed at him. Lee fired.
rhe man. shot through the hand
dropped the rifle, and, uttering howl
# pain. took to his heels in the Under
growth.
A second man was aiming at him.
ZEE brought the butt of his pistol '
lown upon his head. and the man, {
in a mumbling heap. lay '
ace upward upon the ground. Shorty {
vas pulling desperately at gun. Lee {
wing ut him, missed his skull, but '
.no,ed him sidewise with blow |
la, laid his cheek open to the bone. t
shorty dropped and lay still. G
PIERRE, who had made no movement v
f aggression. was staring at Lee
turhily. v
"llands up. d-n your Lee shouted.
I'irrre's arms went up to their full v
height Lee frisked him, took his S