The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-12-03
CAST OF CHARACTERS


rvs partner.
HONEY BEE GlRL-Indian;
member of Barry's party.
HADES JONES-pioneer; MEM
Der Barry's party.
Yesterday: Lost together in the
darkness Of the mysterious cav
ern, Bob and Melissa find deep
dependence on each other. To-
gether they struggle back to find
their packs. Is this the end?
CHAPTER XIV
Zachary "HadcS" Jones Was u
bit weary when nc returned 10
camp that night. The 2l-mile
round trip had taken him two
full days.
These DANCED mules is con-
trarier'n a thunderstorm" he
grumblcd. They amt pack broke
goo yit. Here. Hoffman, would
you help me with these here kagS,
please SIR"
They unlOaded the fresh cool
water. ample for drinking, cook
ing. and scanty toilet until am
other week should pass. Then
HadeS released the animals for a
bit of grazing nearby. There was
a hole OF Staguant water Just 4
mile away. all right for the stock
but too alkaline OF salty for
human use.
Where ats tn boss" IiadcS
asked.
"Ain't seen him all day. And
by grabs Iii like TO know. too"
"Eh?" HadeS paused 10 look
oueStioningly az HOLMAN.
"Wcll. fact Is. HudcS. he's out
with LISA. Just them two.
Hadcs Spat rather cnuiuuSiy and
glared az Hoffman.
"S'poScn ne is? Aiu't no lion.
is She Amt gonna hurt him
nOnc?"
Hell. no, But what business
has he 20, taking q young gal out
by herself"
Hades Jones, aged 7O-odd,
stepped forward mcnacing!y.
what do you mean, Hoffman?
Why you lyin'--"
shut up, old man. Want mc to
slap YOU down"
No one had dared 10 speak thus
20 HadeS Jones in more than half
a century. Uncle HadcS had
friends. and enemies who respect
ed him. in practically every c"uu-
" and corral from FL PuSo &"
Yuma. He had punched COWS I'M
Ill he joined a gold rush and
made more money. Then ne had
been q prOSpcctor since. Tie had
gone without water and food for
four days straight, helping defend
"A settlement from az Apache In
dian attack in his youth. When
he was nearing 80 year, of age
he had shot IL out with two Nc"'-
cans VINO rsSaycd 10 hold up q
bank al Bisbcr. he had been i'm
the bank az The time, and Hgdcs
of all the dozen people there did
Mt throw up his hands as COM
mandCd. People said he still own
ed the scalp Of the rcdSkiu who
killed his father. and ne never de-
MED il.
However. it was IN" utter SUI
prise Of his Sass which saved
hoffman some serious cmbarraS>-
ment, there in camp
HadeS' jaw just dropped. Fiv"
seconds later, unqestion&bly, ne
would have had two massive piS-
tolls aimed with terribly accuracy
at Holliman'S stomach. He had
been known to do just that with
other men, and daring them ever
TO resent it. But-at that instant
Honey Bee Girl appeared.
Supper iSS ready" she an
nounced. land Bawb say to tell
YOU not 20 wait for them, rs they
might not be back at ALL"
Before Hades' establishment had
fully cleared. Hoffman was sit
ting down at the crude camp Ia
bic. dishing up a pint OF SO of
rich red chill. The old man dis
charged enough tobacco juice 10
drown a gOod-sized mammal, ia
bled his plans for discipline. and
went glaring into supper himself.
His spirit Gained some as he
ate-aS what mans doesn't?
Honey Bee might be Surly,
stupid, OF whatever. but she shore
could cook. Many another woman
has been forgiven her ShortcOm-
ings because of her culinary art.
Hades forgave no rcdSkin any
thing; but he ate.
He got up before Hoffman did.
and walked 10 the foot OF the
castle cliff.
Bang! Bang,
Hoffman and Honey Bee peer
ed out i'm alarm. But Hades WAS
only signalling. His old neck was
craned upward, studying the
castle.
He fired again, twice rapidly.
II was a time-honored call of the
outdoors for anyone within
hearing TO answer or come. HadeS
never thought but what Bob
Barry would know il. and answer
If he heard.
"They amt up there" the old
man muttered presently, and
came back 10 the dining tent.
Hoffman" he began, his eyes
flashing, IL COM dang nigh KILN
you a while ago. You amt old
enough TO know better yet in
some ways, and il may cost you.
We amt known to each other
plumb good yit. Now | don't want