Evening star., 1928-11-04
They descended to the platform.


serted group of larga-hatted loungers.
Guess your names Whitney, amt
it?" He was a stocky quick-muScled
man. with small, darting blue eyes and
brick-red skin
There was an unimpreSsed calm
about him. Fred returned his look
with interest, and then put out his
hand. And you are Mr.. JenkinsP"
Henry Jenkins-Yep.",
Mrs Whitney, Mr.. Jenkins"
Eleanor nodded and smiled sufficient
ly. I'm very glad to meet you, Mr..
Jenkins" she said.
Turning abruptly, the guide led the
way to new blackboard. Your truEks!"
he said suddenly. Here, gimme the
checks. Hey, Ben" he called in the
direction of the lounging group, LEND a
hand with those trunks over there, will
yuf?"
young giant lunged forward. Mrs
Whitney, this is Ben Hilliard. And Mr..
Whitney"
At last, the trunks were in place
Young Hilliard waved good-by. Jenkins
clucked, the mustangs started, and
they were off. We'll have to leave this
outfit behind till Spring and make it
on horseback" said jenkins. There's
only one trail we could use it over, and
that's too long for us with the first
snow near due. We've got to go there
and come back. Used to lidin'?"
I'VE ride a good DEAL" said Whitney
cautiously. Il don't suppose it's your
kind of riding, though"
ANY kind'll do" said Jenkins, $50
YOU don't fall off at the wrong time
You can fall long way in this region
fONly ont cyf11h mud cOS,na o,1d
things a week ago, Ben Hilliard and me
cached it. There's enough grub to last
half-dozen men through the time
you'll want 'em. My place is a matter
O. Is miles," he remarked. We'll make
it by Sundown, and start early tomor
row."
They finally reached the ranch house,
a log affair of three rooms. Jenkins
started fire in the rusty range.
They prepared supper and ate in
busy silence. 1t was a meal of many
helpings, washed down by an ocean of
tea.
You two had better run along to bed
now," remarked Jenkins, when the meal
was over and he had finished his pipe.
Your rooms in there" jerking his
thumb toward door. "You'n need all
the hay you can hit durin' The night,
because we're due for an early start"
One morning several days later, after
Eleanor and Fred were nearly worn out
with fatigue from the nervousness of
their journeying, and the discomforts
of their nightly camping, jenkins took
a long and careful look at the sky.
When he spoke MS voice caused them
to eye him in surprise. We've logged
along so far" he said, "but we've got
to quit it. We're takin' chances. The
snow amt far off. Look ct the sky
first time it's been that way this Fall.
If I'd known it would be like this, I'd
never have chanced with us 60
ing so slow and all"
WED better go back" put in Fred.
''We'll camp at the next good spot,
Jenkins, and turn back tomorrow"
Jenkins cold blue eyes were boring
holes in him. you don't neither of
you seem to get the idea," he said, de-
liberately. II told you I was countin' on
We've got enough grub to carry lis
through to where we're goin', and
there's food cached there for the return
trip. But we've got to go there to get
it, and we can't make the trip back
very handily without it. Now come OH.
Well camp at sundown and not be-
fore, and We'll be on our way early,
and guess you'll have to elecv me cap
tain and do what I tell yuh till we're
out o. this
But he was increasingly exacting In
the days that followed. He gagged their
growing endurance accurately, and he
never failed to use 1t to the limit. At
last. after halliday of interminable
windings over worse trail than usual,
they emerged onto timbered plateau.
They drew rein. Jenkins rolled Gig
arctic and struck a match There's
your land" he said
A long interval passed before either
spoke. Held as by spell, they bathed
in the thunderous silence of the place
till it seemed to flow round them like a
flood.
Their enthusiasm, when they at last
spoke. pleased him, and he went Wig
orouSly to his work.
That night they sat before the fire.
The men smoked.