Evening star., 1933-11-30
a ,,.FORB!DDEN VALLEY
|zf BY tlGa4~ Bya0n l1lowss4

Klosohees. II they understand we're
altogether peaceful, they probably won't
object. And we do want to work In
that country. One week in there would
be worth year in a country that's
been combed and combed."
Curt took no part in the discussion.
BY linking up Jamieson's account of
the wild Lilluar tribe with Sonyas
sketch of their history, he could see the
whole story of the Klosohees pretty
clearly. Their hostility toward white
people undoubtedly sprang from the
brutal treatment they had received from
the Russians. In so isolated a tribe.
traditions would hang on for genera
tions.
Now Sonya and Ralph were going
into that pot Of trouble, with no pro-
lection except pair of guides who
would desert at the first real danger
For a city girl and man to venture into
territory where experienced bush-lopers
stayed strictly out was sheer suicide,
and not very pleasant kind Of suicide
at that.
At 1880 the first spatter Of
rain broke up the party. The Indians
faded into the darkness; the missioner
wrapped his black robe about him and
cub In each jacket pocket and trotted
for his tent.
Curt wanted to ask Sonya if he might
walk up to Higginbotham's residence
| with her, where she and Ralph were
staying: but he was afraid of getting
snubbed. While he wavered, Sonya
said goodnight to Mrs. Hodkins and
turned to him.
I've been wanting to apologize to YOU.
Mr.. Ralston." She was really sincere
about it--so contrite, in fact, that she
would not look him in the eyes, but
stared at a button on his Jacket.
Why, 1t was as much my fault as
yours" he insisted. as they started up
toward the factors house. II threw
out big wild statement and you caught
me up on 1t. But honestly'-he was
thinking Of her javelin-sharp words
I'D hate to ever get into real quarrel
with you
Am that bad?"
"Oh, you're positively formidable! To
change the subject, there's something
ia like to say, if you won't bite my
head Off"
Il promise What is it?"
well, if you don't mind an unsolicit-
ed opinion, I believe you and your
brother ought to think twice before you
start North into Klosohee territory.
don't know anything about the Kloso-
hees myself, but I do know that some
; OF these Northern Dinnehs can't be
judged by the bands closer in to civili-
zation"
But we've thought twice already,
Mr.. Ralston, and we've decided it's
worth the risk
She said it so conclusively that Curt
. dropped the subject. If he was to stop
them, he would have to think up some
way more effective than argument.
AT the door Of the residence they
chatted few moments about the party,
and then Sonya bade him GOODNIGHT
, Curt turned away reluctantly, looking
back once for glimpse of her as she
stood outlined in the shaft Of light from
the door.
He told himself when the Karakhan
hunt was over he was going to look
her up, find out who she really was,
and try for better acquaintance He
would be poor detective If he could
not trace Ralph and her.
The rain came on in earnest shortly
after he reached camp. A high wind
lashed the pines. woke up the lake and
tugged at their tent; rain fell in gusty
sheets; flash after binding flash Of
lightning banged into the timber and
rolled believing across the lake.
Sitting on their sleeping pokes, he
and Paul waited for the time when
they could begin their work. Not long
after the storm began, Curt felt a
trickle of water on his hat brim. He
reached for his torch and looked up.
About two feet down from the ridge
line neat hole the size Of a pencil
had appeared in the canvas. On the
opposite wall and at the same height
| was another hole.
Look, Paul-how'd those get there?
No stick would blow clear through
| both"
A livid white flash lit up the tent
plang!-their neSted set of aluminium
dishes, lying on a box near the flap
front. suddenly exploded in a dozen
directions, as though possessed Of some
diabolic magic.
In the rolling thunder Curt heard the
half-muff1ed bark Of rifle.
He sprang to his feet. Hell! Some
body's shooting at our tent! It's that
'breedI''
They grabbed slickers and auto
matics. and leaped outside. Throwing
themselves down behind the firewood,
they waited for the next squirt of rifle
fire to stab the darkness.
Watch back in the timber, Paul.
I'll watch down toward the fort. He's
in one Of those directions. He's not
out on the lake or around the post
anywhere"
A minute heightened to three. nve.
Curt had never known 1t to rain so
hard as just then, or to tighten 50
tremendously One moment they were
| blinded by dazzling glare; in the next
the dark dropped like a pail.
They lay there for 10 minutes. pray
ing for just one glimpse Of rifle fash.
But the sniper did not shoot again.
I'VE might as well 60 back in," Curt
49, 4Bro AL
your advice and left him over on the
island. We've saved him from a soak
. ing and then got it ourselves"
Some time we're going to have a
showdown with that slinker. He's going
to kill us or we're going to kill him."