Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1929-10-31


you've got in the way of rugs, cushions
and stuff of that sort. Wen just pool
our resources. Here" he summoned
Gardiner, "catch hold and help spread
this out"
Gardiner hesitafed, then obeyed In
few moments Davenport was sur
veying the pile Of effects with spec
ulatiye eye. There proved to be
small tent made of some light paraf-
| fined material a heavy canvas tar
paulin thai had covered the whole.
two pair of camp blankets; quilted
sort of bag affair hat could be used
either as a mattress or ms sleeping
bag In very cold weather; three car
riage rugs, and folding cot. 10
these, at Davenport's command, were
added four long heavy overcoats
well make out" he decided
Miss Grimstead gets the tent OF
course and we'd better put that up
| first. It's ii simple affair. You pul
1t up, Brother simmins Ever put UP
d tent before?"
II fought in the Boer war sir" said
Simmons Unexpectedly. After the
brief glow of glory this announcement
evoked Simmins was little sorry he
had made . 1t, for II committed him
irrevocably TO an unasssted struggle
He lifted the mess of material and lit
tie meaningless ropes.
"Where shall i-ah-pitch 1t, sirY'
he INQUIRED. That word pitch was
good thought; sounded professional.
Get lust as far down the meadow
as you possibly can" directed Daven
port, "but stay out In the open. Don't
:. get into the woods. Better build
tire to give yourself light"
"But why SO far away" protested
Grmstead. Il should prefer to have
my daughter a little nearer. Why not
stay here where all our things are!'
mot safe" mumbed Davenport, his
head In the car. THAT one tree is the
only one that will fall; but fellow
cant guess al heavy limbs that might
get broken loose. The wind will come
from the sou'west. and that will make
Ii blow Iengtllwise down the meadow
II we go TO the lower end we'll not gel
, hit with falling branches, at least"
Grimstead rolled his eyes at Gardi.
, ner with a comcal grin. The Pirate
Chief was In reality soft old thing
when It came to anything that had to
do with his only che-ild. This young
man was carrying his blur through.
anyhow; and Grimstead liked 4 good
consistent sport But Gardiner bad
other ideas.
He's crazy as loon. he said aside
TO his chief
.Well." pointed out the Older man,
without contesting this point, "he
got q tent and cot and some wurnl
bedding; not TO speak OF ear thu'
runs. Ii he mukes Burton comfortable
don't care how crazy he Ia"
They made their way TO the lowe,
end OF the meadow. where Simmins
tire geumed Simmins WAS apparent
" playing q game with himself thai
much resembed gentleman tryinl
to And the rIght-sIde-up of IAdy's
evening wrap.
"rhie tent seems to be OF pntteri
unknown TO me- he announced ne
cusingly. mot AT all like the Brliisl
army tent, II ! may say so, Sir.
"You mayl" laughed Davenport.
.and you certainly will tell the truth
Here, you tie the ends OF these ropes
to two trees-these will do--and you
haul them up as tight as you can
THAT'S the boy Now you see which
are the corners. don't your Well
stretch 'em out and peg EN- down
Looks like tent now, doesn't 1t? Cut
some stakes and peg her down some
more"
He looked about him.
Il guess that down log yonder is our
best bet" he announced. He gathered
up the tarpaulin and the hand ak
you can come with me and throw
me light he ordered Burton. "and
you two men get out and rustic dry
bracken for bed. %Loads Of 1t, plenty
of IT. II packs down more than bal
sam, remember; so get regular old
hayload, Ii you want to save your
bones I'll rig tent OF the tarp.'
But I'd as soon sleep out as not,
objected Grimstead.
Il tell you you'd get wet repeated
Davenport with touch Of impatience
Grlmstead threw up both hands In
mock despair. Gardiner smiled tot
erantly and made a circular gesture
before his forehead Davenport's
back was turned; but Burton saw.
slow color mounted to her cheeks, and
J she stepped forward promptly with the
, f1ashights The young man began skill
fully to construct lean-to shelter
using the down tree as back wall
Burton watched lnterestedly, for the
affair WAS most workmanike and In.
genIous.