The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-11-26
CHAPTER VII

Zachary "'FiadeS" Jones was work ing over near the stream bed, now dry and usually so, which lay at the foot of the great cliff. He was cut ting sapling poles-long slender ones with which to make ladders. He stopped swinging his axe to rest when Mary Melissa came through the bushes toward him.
 "You aren't expected to do this hard labor, Uncle Hades," she be- gan. wasn't Mir. Hoffman hired for this?"
 "Ain't never shirked no work yet. Miss Missy. Think I'm gittin' oid' do ye?" .
 "Nol Oh mol Sometimes I think you are younger than I. But"
 The. old man was eyeing her closely, kindly.
 "somethin's on yore mind. You been cryin'."
 She sat down on rock, and he waited patiently for her to talk.
 Uncle Hades, what do you think oS-of the cook? The girl2"
 "Why she's a godd-'scuse, ma am .-she's a danger redskin squaw ant she?' Uncle Hades' manner sug- Uested that such classification was sufiicient to damn her trrevocaply, forever and ever.
 Lissa nodded.
 T mean--iS She-is she all right? Oh I'll tell you, confidentally, Uncle Hades. She is throwing herself at pr. Barry! think she imagines he s in love with her"
 Hades chewed on his tobacco TOT a few seconds. :.
 T seen that already" he stated calmly. T been flggerin' what to do about it."
 "You have seen it?' Mary Me- lissa was surprised. You did?"
 "Yes'm. Everybody has, I reckon, except Bob hisself. Blind young squirt. Not that he ain't right to me. ma am, but-looky here, MISS Miissy, ain't choo sort of took to him yoreself?"
 His jaw stopped working as he pecred at her intently. Her blush was answer enough. The old man cackled in friendly laughter.
 Honey" he patted her shoulder paternally, T ain't fingered 1t out yet, but don't you worry none. !o see him roast on coals before I'd lei any Indian make fool of him."
 Uncle Hades meant just what he said. In the rare times when the old man grew reminiscent anc talked of yesteryear, rip-snortine tales of death and danger came from him. Ten years hence he afie all his kind will be dead--tha' grand army of self-reliant men arlt women who pioneered westerI America, who fought nature ant Indians alike, and triumphed D, sheer force of character and brawr The 1930's saw these great ones Il their sunset years, and if a req Indian fighter finger until 1945 1 will be 6 miracle. Hades Jones wa one of the hardest.
 The old man picked up his aS resumed swinging. He had the SKI of longer experience. And he hal many a labor-saving trick store' away. Hoffman was for flashing tn cross bars or steps to the ladder with small rope, after setting then into notches. TIades made stronger ladder in half that time by heatini an iron rod and burning hole through the uprights, then insertin( his short steps therein. Mary Melis' sa was able to help him with thu heating, and she trimmed the stel ends with a hatchet.
 "In two days we'll have ladder: all the way up" Bob predicted.
 "who will place themP' Lisss asked.
 "Holliman and 1. There are enough safe footings, mostly. Well chisel 6 few. I'm anxious to start excavation up there, Miss Lane , You must. be next one up. 1t's-it's rnarveloust"
 He tingled with enthusiasm, Mary Melissa saw.
 Honey Bee Girl kept to herself for the two busy days. That is, sht said little, but she observed much She had been rebuffed by Bob, whC hadn't perceived her purpose, but she was by no means admitting de-