White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1932-09-22
CHAPTER XIII
Booming Guns

Phil recognized the mouth Of the
gorge as soon as he saw it.
Same place." he said. II recollect
that twisted pine there"
They returned to camp and packed.
Wilson felt an extreme reluctance at
letting the boy go with him farther,
for he knew that he might be going
into trap from which escape would
be very difficult. His remonstrance
"Im going through like I said
would" Phil told him stubbornly. mo
use powwowing about it. What do
you reckon came along for, anyhow"
They rode up the canyon in single
file, Wilson leading the way. Both Of
them carried their rifles across the
saddle in front, for neither doubted
that they were going straight to the
stronghold Of the outlaws. 1t was pos
sible they might at any bend of the
trail meet face to face the men they
were seeking.
"Glad it's rainin'," Wilson said,
twisting for moment In the saddle
to speak back. "Unless they've got
important business today they're liable
to stay indoors an loaf. That'll suit
me fine"
"Here too," agreed Phil He had a
curious sinking sensation about the
muscles Of his stomach, but he had no
intention whatever Of turning back.
1t was the natural dread that comes
to all men when they are moving for
the first time into an unknown danger.
Out Of the deflle they emerged into
valley Of mist that had no outline
then.
Cabins over to the left" Phil whis-
pered. 1--WE better get in this pine
grove up here right away. Sunll be
comm out soon by the look of the
Clouds"
They detected, climbing to the
wooded slope to the right. From
break in the clouds the sun peeped
out, at first timidly, then with more
persistence. Slowly the mist settled,
till the upper walls Of the valley
showed The rock face opposite was
painted yellow and green and ochre
by the sunshine. 1t was half an hour
before the fog was reduced to filmy
shreds and a lake Of mist Nesting in
far corner of the valley.
From all directions sheer precipices
rose. Technically the pasture ground
inclosed was not a park but rather
depression driven down by some
freakish trick Of nature. 1t was as
though some Titanic god in the morn
ing of the world had stamped gigan.
tic foot on the soft plastic mountain
mass and driven down with terrific
force the crust of the earth.
The cabin lay across from them on
the other slope of the saucer-shaped
valley inclosed by the cliffs. A man
came out from 1t in his shirt sleeves
and stretched arms In wide gesture
that was evidently yawn. Wilson
adjusted his glasses and looked. Pres
emily he handed the blnocular to his
companion.
"Gitner," said Phil after moment.
"What we've got to find out now Is
whether those cattle down there are
rustled," Wilson said, pointing to a
small herd grazing on the slope OPP
posite. I'm going to look into that
and make sure If l can"
Howl
"Going to circle the valley close to
the walls, hide in that fringe of bushes
over there, an drop down about dusk
to the cattle for looksee. You'd bet
ter stay here with the horses"
Hadn't you better let me go?"
mo sir hadn't. We've got to set.
tie one point now, Phil. Whatever
happens we can't afford for both Of
us to be trapped. If you're seen here.
make break on yore cavallo down
the canyon an keep goin' till you can
get help an come hack with a posse
I'll stay hid an look out for myself
IF I'm the one T. 8 seen an you fear
firm. light on, the same"
"I'd be liable H. do that" Phil said