The Coolidge examiner., 1936-07-24

pray because he could feel a re
newed trickle of blood down his
side.
ooh, Cod" he began, mumbling
"give me strength to scotch this
snake! Oh, God, let me hold out
TO save for Nan what's hers!
Please, God"
Tip, beside him, moaned and
trembled and began licking at his
leg again.
Thereafter was no speech, nc
movement for a long interval. The
shadows shifted beneath the march
Of the sun. A fly droned about his
head. His tongue was so parched
that 1t seemed it would crack.
Then suddenly he was aware OF
faint STRINGS within the cabin and
something flashed across the door
way. West had crossed to the win.
dow end Of the cabin and Kerry
fired again, aimlessly. ..
"Still awake, eh?" West jeered.
Look your last. Or, I'll trade
with you. Throw your rifle into
the clearing and I'll give you my
word I'll not come near"
Kerry fired again and a window
pane pulverized.
1t was agony to pump in another
cartridge. His left arm lay cold
and lifeless beside him but his
shoulder burned and throbbed. He
got a box of shells out of his
pocket somehow and stuffed the
magazine full. Blackness hovered
over him for a moment.
He tried to reason things out.
He could not last much longer.
Loading his gun had started the
blood again. When the bleeding
sapped him low enough, or when
night fell, West could slip out and
be gone forever. >.
What was it Nan had said abour
West and the country beyond?
Oh, yes? West knew it like a book.
He was the only one who knew
it. Once in it, then, the Downer
account against him, both in blood
and money, might we'll be written
off.
If he only had help. If Nan or
Ezra or any of them only knew
where he was. But they did not,
All they knew was that he was
hunting bee tree. He was alone
. he and Tip were alone.
He held his eyes on the cabin
and kept the rifle butt to his good
shoulder with his chin. His right
hand went out to Tip, caressing
the short, curly hair, and the dog
whined; not from pain: it was an
inquiring, concerned whine and he
stared hard into his masters face.
Tip! You've got it to dol"
Kerry whispered. Tough, with
that leg. but it's her only chance.
Maybe my only chance.
You've got it to do for Nan! Un-
derstand? For Mani"
The dogs nose began to quirk
and his tail moved slightly.
Hear me, Tip? (God, I can't
tell whether I'm yelling or whis-
peringD Hear me"-gripping the
coat and shaking the dog a little.
go to Nan, Tip! Go to Nan!
HE on! To Nan Mani"
He showed at the wounded ami
NAL and Tip rose painfully to his
feet, staring incredulously at his
master.
"Nan?" he seemed to be asking.
go away, with you in a jam like
this? Not on your life, Chum!"
Again Young spoke: HE on!
Nan. l said!" The savagery in his
voice made the dogs ears drop
meekly.
He had raised himself to his ell
bow, thrusting his face close to the
dog, snarling the words.
Surprised and shocked Tip skunk
away. He licked his chops and
waggled hts tail apologetically.
With a protesting little whimper,
that one leg dragging uselessly, the
ragged bone ends biting into raw
flesh at every move, the dog made
his way slowly through the brush.
Shortly he came out to the road
he had travelled before. He stood
there and gave long look back
ward Then he limped gingerly
across the first. rut and, painting
from the effort, set out to do his
masters bidding.