The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-05-08
CHAPTER xvIII-Continued

IT.
But If Leboeuf did not quite under
stand what Lee was trying to tell him.
he understood enough to send him
into a flaming fury. He shook his
fists. He danced. His face grew red
with blood. He seemed transformed
once again into that monstrous. ape
like creature with whom Lee had en-
gagged in that desperate duel in the
chasm.
"We must save her, Leboeuf," Lee
exclaimed "We must go at once"
1--WE must go at once, Monsieur.
But one cannot return that way. There
is only one way into the mine beneath
the stone. No one can breast this
river. / shall show you. But wait! !"
He disappeared within a small cav
ern In the mountain, and reappeared in
a moment or two carrying rifle.
Now, Monsieur, there is no time to
lose. / shall pick them off one by
one as they come out of the house.
Ell, my little Joyce in the hands of
that devil But my master has shown
me in a dream that she shall not be
harmed. Still. 1t was the last words
my master spoke to me while he was
alive, that I should protect her from
him. and he has warned me many
times In dreams also. Eth, this way,
Monsieur"
Lee, feeling recuperated, despite the
throbbing of his bruised scalp, fol<
lowed the old man along the narrow
coping of rock beside the cataract In
little while the path grew wider, the
rocky walls fell back, becoming out
loar of the cataract grew faint behind
them. They continued down gentle
gradient into level plain. The forest
closed about them.
Then, when they had been proceed
ing for about half an hour, the forest
suddenly came to an end, and to Lees
amazemeht, he found himself standing
near the bank of the main river which
flowed through Siston lake. He could
not have been more than half mile
from the log house.
But they heard the sudden throb-
bling of the motor boat. Lee ground
his teeth. In an instant old Leboeuf
had pulled him down behind the shell
ter of a rock.
Then they heard Joyce scream.
Again and again her agonized cries
rang out.
Lee tried to leap TO his feet; he
would have flung himself into the
river, but the Indians iron arms en-
circled him. And, as he tried to cry
out in answer, hand closed over his
mouth.
Next minute the motor boat shot
into mid stream. 1t contained Rath-
way and his three aides; there was
something huddled in the bottom of
the boat, undoubtedly Joyce; and
there was no doubt that they were
making for Siston lake.
And all the while Joyce screamed,
and Lee struggled in the Indians
grasp, and tried to cry out, but he
could not move or utter a sound.
Monsieur Think of her!" Lehoeuf
was kissing in his ear 1T is useless
to betray yourself. We do what we
can. You understand? You promise?"
And suddenly reason came back to
Lee. He nodded and Leboeut re-
leased him.
But the next instant 1t was Lee who
knocked up Lebouef's hand as the
old man was drawing a bead upon the
boat, now some hundred yards away
from them in the middle of the stream.
Leboeuf looked at him reproachfully.
Monsieur, / could have killed him.
/ do not err at the mark, Monsieur"
Again he was about TO take aim,
but Lee caught the rifle in his hand.
mo, no, Leboeuf. She must not be
left to the mercy of those three men.
So long as Railway lives there is a
shade of hope for her. Don't you un-
derstand?"
Comprehension came to the old In
dian. He lowered the rifle.
Joyce had ceased to cry out, and in
dumb helplessness the two men
watched the motor boat shoot past
them and disappear around the curve
of the shore. They looked at each
other.
"If any harm has come to her. said
Lee, 81 swear that I'll kill Railway
like the hound that he is"
"Goodr' Leboeuf nodded vigorously.
"Some men are like the carcajou, Mon
sieur. Yes, he must die. He has
done harm enough for one man, and
think lie bon Dieu, who is so patient,
has grown weary of him. But what
will you do now, Monsieur
go to Siston lake. Take her away
or die there"
Every good, Monsieur. That was
my own plan also. But 1t Is journey
of a night and a day, Monsieur, and it
is necessary to eat, also to take food
with u.s."
Lee was for starting Immediately,
but Leboeuf persuaded him. They
were to return to the log house, to
see If any provisions had been left
behind. If not, they were to go
through the mine and to Leboeuf's den
In the rocks, which could be reached
by fording the edge of the subterran-
can stream. 1t gave access in one
way, but not in the other. And Lee
boeufs decision proved a fortunate
one, for at the door of the log house
they met Father McGrath, his rife
across his back.
Thank God I've found We, Ander-
sonl" he cried Il couldna sleep all
the NIGHT for troublin' about We and
that puir lassie. So before the dawn
/ started off to max sure that no evil
thing had happened beyond what
couldna be avoided. But what has
happened, and whaur is she, and that
band o. skunkS?"