Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-03
INSTALNfENT XVII

"O Jim Wall It seemed q miracle
that he cid not snatch Helen to
his breast Like q wind-driven
a prairie fire his blood raced He
set her upright on the ground.
"Cen you stand?" he inquired.
She eSsayed to, and. letting 60 OF
him, plainly betrayed her spent condi-
ton. Jim helped her into the shallow
hollow under the rock.
In the quarter-hour before dusk he
had unpacked, hobbled and fed the
horses built q fire and put water on
to boil.
He carried his bed under the shelf
and unrolled It. changed and doubled
the blankets and folded the tarpaulin
so that it could be pulled up in case
rain beat In.
The FIRE sent a ruddy light into the
cavern, and all at once Jim discovered
that the girl was watching him.
Are we safe here?" she asked.
God only knows! I think sol
hope So It's q lonely desert. Our
enemies have gone the other way. They
know they nearly wiped out Hays, and
they'll try again with reinforcementS.
They knew Hays had fortune in cash
land you
To his concern and discontinue she
ate very little She tried only to fail
But she did drink her coffee.
You'll pick up" he said hopefully.
"Sleep, though, is more necessary than
food
Jim, can't pull of my boots" she
said later. Please help me-
She was sitting on the bed when
Jim took hold of the boot she elevated.
Look to see If you have any bis
ters," he said. I'll battle your feet
in a little cold water and salt"
Bringing pan Of water, he knelt
before her.
Don't stand on ceremony, Helen
Stick out your foot :"
She put out her small feet. Jim
lost no time in pressing them down
into the cold. salt water. Then he
rubbed her feet until they were red.
Put your stocking back on and
sleep in your clothes" he said. Be
fore you crawl in, I'll bring a hot
stone"
"Ooooo! She stretched out with a
slow. final movement and pulled the
blankets up under her chin.
Almost instantly she fell asleep with
the Pickering freight upon her face.
Jim walked out to find the horses
close to camp and making out fairly
well on the grass. He patrolled his
beat between the Pickering fire and the
sleeping girl, needless Of the rain,
sleepless, for hours, on guard. And
after that when he slept 1t was with
one eye open.
Toward dawn he got up and rolled
his bed. The air was raw and cold,
blowing fine rain in his face.
BY the time breakfast was cooking
daylight had broken. Finding a thin,
fiat rock Jim placed Helen's breakfast
upon it and carried it to her bedside.
Then he called her.
I've brought some food and strong
coffee" he said
Jim repaired to his own breakfast.
after which he wrapped up biscuits
and meat to take on the days ride.
She pulled on her boots, and crawl
ing out and Strengthening up with slow,
painful effort she asked for little hot
water Jim fetched it.
Free then to pack, Jim applied him
self with swift. methodical hands.
She mounted unassisted. Jim helped
her into the long slicker.
It'll be a tough day. he went on.
But we're starting dry. Hang on as
get out of these brakes
With that he l.nea up the pack
animals. and they we're off.
jim travelled as best he could, keep
ing to no single direction, though the
trend was northerly and following
ground that appeared passable. The
and Helen brought up the rear.
Tie ran fell all morning and let
gathered, and a storm. with thunder
an. lightning, burst upon them. Water
ran in shoots off the rocks.
At length the fugitives came to a
veritable river at which the lead horse
baked. Bay, however, did not show
any qualms. So he put Bay to the
task. The. big horse made 1t easily,
Whereupon Jim rode him back. after
which the pack horses intelligent and
sensible, essayed the ford.
Then Jim returned for Helen.
III carry you while you hang on
to your bride" said Jim. riding close
to the gray. He had to lift her sheer
off her horse end around in front of
him, where he upheld her with his
left arm.
They made it. with the splendid horse
staggering cut under his double burden
just in the nick OF ,imc.
You are doing fine. We have come
18 or 20 miles. But don't like the look
ahead
When once more they were on the
way Jim gave her biscuit and a strip
of meat Eat. The rain will be on us
SOON"
Late In the afternoon there was a
momentary Frightening Of massed clouds
in the west.
They rode down out Of these low
gravel hills that had limited their sight
into a long, green, winding valley. A
red river, surely the Dirty Devil, ran,
ridged and frotfly, under a steep wall
of earth.
Il can't hang on-longer." faltered
Helen, family.
I'll carry you. Why didn't you tell
me sooner?" reproved Jim. He knotted
her reins and dropped the loop over the
pommel CT her saddle. Then he lifted
her off her horse onto his.
So Jim rode on. aware that her COL
lapse and the terrible M urn cS 80
desert and another storm at hand were
wearing away even rs irf:.c.ll--so.e
spirit.
Ragged, red bluff stood up all along
his right. with acres of loose rock ready
to slide.
They swung in behind the bluff, and
then out again to the higher and mar
rover bank upon which the old trail
passed around the corner.
Whoa. Bav." called Jim, hauling up