The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1937-08-12
CHAPTER N-Continucd

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An outcry from the gang Joined
his call. Snowi Now the flakes were
thicker and the wind was freshen-
ing, with the peculiar wet chill of
approaching freeze-up. A thrill went
through Hammond, as quickly, how
ever. to change to apprehension.
There was possibility OF fatality
In all this. If gangs should quit,
believing blizzard imminent, and
il it should prove only furry. then
the grueling labors of forty-eight
hours would be lost. Jack started
on circuit of his workers.
The hose gangs were still at it, the
man-power pumps going faithfully.
pulling the water by easy stages
from the lake into canvas collaps-
IDLE tanks, there to be pumped out
again to more tanks and finally to
the reaches OF the fire. Here a
sack crew worked diligently, there
a gang of ax-men. their faces muf-
fled in wet cloths. walked amid
smoldering embers, that they might
fell threatening trees and bring an
end to the menace of tree-top ex-
plosions. But at last he sighted a
group of idle men at the bank of
the Big Moose.
The forest once had run to the
rivers edge here, now it was
SCARED and blackened. Logs still
smoked, the baked earth steamed
with the thickening of the snowfall.
Certainly here was no place to re-
lax labors.
What's wrong with your" Jack
shouted. ssThis fire isn't over!'
A Takla Indian turned and with
short arm gesture motioned him
closer. Then a white man called.
Better come down here"
Hammond obeyed. staring at
what he saw. On the ground was
the charred body OF a man, his
clothing burned away.
"Dead7" Hammond asked. There
was queer tremble of his voice.
That's the hell of it." fire.
fighter answered. 1.-THE poor devils
still living"
The victim lay face downward,
distorted mouth open. Hammond
went to his knees and gently turned
the man on his back.
Il thought So" he said jerkily. 1t
was Bruce Kenning.
Burned. horribly so, the man still
was recognizable. Fl mond
reached for his gloves and busted
the dirt out OF the mans eyes; they
were uninjured. Hammond called
his name. The eyes moved, in
manner which hurt Jack to watch.
There was no sound, not even an
action OF the lips. They were too
swollen. too cracked; long assures
in the hugely enlarged flesh gave
forth exudations of serum. the en-
larged tongue, pressed tightly mo-
tionless against scared palate, told
the story.
Some of you fellows better strip
off your coats and cut some poles"
he commanded. make a stretcher
and take him out to the lake. I'll
get him back to camp in the plane"
High in the air, Hammond leaned
over the man, relenting in his hate.
1t seemed cruel that Kenning must
cling to life. There was not even
the alienation of being able to
groan.. he made no sound save a
throaty sort OF gurgling Only his
eyes, fervent, terribly expressive,
told of his suffering.
The airplane dropped down
through the soupy sky to COM
paratively gentle landing. Harm
mond opened the cabin door and
leaned out over the spray of the
pontoons, as the plane TAXED to
shore.
The life RATS were beached, emp
ty. Men, and few women, were
Juggling possessions out of the shall
lows. and moving with them through
the driving snow, which steadily be-
came heavier. toward the blackened
expanse that once had been Sap
phire. Already few tents were ris-
ing. Life had begun anew.
A woman called out to Hammond. |
"Heyl What's the trouble?"
1t was Around the World Annie,
In char-smudged shirt and breeks. |
Her boots were muddy.
Got burnt man in the cabin"
he answered.
Thought so. No use stopping |
here. Taxi around to the inlet. |
using my place"
Jack stared
"But I've got a burnt man."
"Ain't there plenty up there like
hirn7" yelled Annie. What's eatin'
ON you? Who've you got7"
Bruce Kenning. He's in bad |
shape"
Annie turned, and with hooked |
arm. halted passing miner.
go tell that Joyce girl they've
found her lover" she commanded.
She's been runnin around this
camp half nuts"
Hammond, splotched with the
drive of the blizzard. climbed back |