The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-01-04
ROBBERS ROOST
CHAPTER XI-Continued


my spirit wouldn't faint at that"
abe replied. 81 saw you kill the
wretch-and I could help you bury
him."
II won't need you," replied Jim, con-
STRANGELY, and wheeled away. Madly
he rushed to and fro, while he searched
the dead robbers, to fling their money
and valuables in a pile. Then he
dragged them to the brink Of the wash
and toppled them over.
Action had begun to steady Jim, If
not compose him. he showed all the
money into his saddlebag. Next he
packed every one Of his shells. He
might be attacked again in that hiding
place. Then he selected supplies for
two packs and filed them, not forget
ting a few utensils.
His next move was to strap blankets
Those he led back to the cave, where
he packed them. After that he had
only to saddle Bay and the gray horse
Helen had ridden there.
Suddenly he thought of Smoky. If
he had been alone, or with another
man, even a helpless one, he would
have taken time to find that strange
and faithful robber and have given
him decent burial. But he would not
leave the girl.
While he stood there, trying to think
what else to do, he remembered a sack
Of grain that Hays had packed from
Star ranch. He found 1t half full and
tied 1t on the lighter pack.
He hurried back to the girl, calling:
~Are you ready?"
tive been waiting" she said, and
came swiftly out. The riders costume
brought out the rounded grace Of her
form. She had braided her hair. The
sombrero he remembered shaded her
face.
where are your veil and long
coat?" asked Jim, seeing her as on
that unforgettable day.
HE burned Them" she answered
In stifed voice.
Get into this" And he held his
slicker for her. 1t enveloped her,
dragged on the ground.
"We're in for storm. Rainy season
due. You must keep dry"
Turning to the gray horse, she
mounted.
ride close beside me where there's
room. Just ahead where there's not"
he directed her.
Jim tied the halters Of the two pack
animals to their packs, and started
them off. Then he vaulted upon Bay
the first time for many weeks. The
horse pranced, but steadied down I'M
der an iron hand and heel.
Helen looked back as one fascinated,
but Jim bent stern gaze ahead.
II would destroy this canyon II that
were in my power. Come" he said.
They rode up out of the oval, driv-
ing the pack horses ahead. The rain
was now falling heavily. On the
gravel ridge to the west Jim saw q
dead man lying prone.
Soon they entered the wide, shallow
wash, in the sand Of which Jim espied
footprints filling with water They
rode out Of the tail of the storm and
into a widening of the wash, where
1t reached proportions Of small val
ley. Scrub cedar and brush and cac-
tus began to show, and patches of SUM-
flowers on low, sandy knobs. They
passed the cove where the riders
horses had been left Broad and deep
was the trail to the south.
Are you all right?" Jim queried.
"Oh, did not know could feel rap
ture again. Yes, am"
you're dizzy, just the same. You
sway in the saddle. Ride closer to me,
while you can. Give me your
hand. Don't talk. But look-look
You might see what 1 do not see."
They rode at length to a canyon
head. down which the hoof tracks
turned.
1--WE came this way by night but I
remember" she said. "Do you dare to
follow them?"
"We must not"
''But that Is the way to Star ranch 70
Eyes, on the trail of desperate men,
and across that Dirty Devil river.
These summer rains. It will be In
flood. I would not be able to get you
through"
"You know best. But Just to be
free to see my brother, Bernie
It is unbelievable"
Jim Wall looked away across the
brakes. Presently he said, II will try
20 find q way out Of this hole. The
country is strange. I'll be lost soon.
But somewhere up out Of here-weIl
find a lovely canyon where there is
grass and water. / must not run into
cattlemen; robbers are not my only
enemies. I don't want to be hanged
for-for saving you"
"Hangedi Oh, you brighten me!''
81 didn't want to tell you. It is no
sure thing that can safely elude the
rest Of Heeseman's outfit, II / try to
get out through the brakes. It'd be
far safer to hide you a while-south
Of here, out of the way Of riders"
"Take me where you think best, I"
she said TREMENDOUSLY.
when you get out, you must go
home to England"
Il have no home In England. Bernie
rs my only kin, except very distant
relatives who hate the name of Her
rick"
'"Then go to q country as different
from this naked, stony wilderness as
day from night. Where It SHOWS in
winter, and in spring there are flow
arc birds opp1o kloecovnc