The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-07-30
CHAPTER TX

ChAtVEH In
Nikki was awakened the next
morning = If it Is morning, she
thought, looking out a window at
the faint light and the mist that
hung low over the ground-by a
violent clatter at her door and
Stoves voice:
"Hey, you going to sleep all
day? Here 1t Is 4:3O and look at
you, still in bed. Breakfasts
ready. Up with you"
"I'm coming" said Nikki vague
~, thinking wistfully Of the maid
In q little starched apron who
awakened her in New York at 8
--or noon - with a soft, diffident
'Mam'selle" and breakfast tray.
What ever gave me the idea l
was an outdoor girl anyway, she
thought, as she climbed out and
hunched shiveringly over a pan
Of icy water that she splashed on
her face. In her flannel shirt,
heavy breeches, boots and leather
jacket the day looked a little
brighter and she hurried out to
the fire for coffee, flapjacks, and
bacon.
Then Rance distributed packets
Of lunch to each and gave direc-
tons for the days hunting.
'Nikki and Steve will go with
Woody. Bancroft, and Sarto will
wo with Uncle Jim. Fiske and
will do a little scouting around
close to camp. There's some
Strengthening up to do around the
cabin and Mr.. Fiske Is a little
stiff from yesterdays ride and
doesn't want too long walk. I'll
have supper ready when you get
back.
Il don't suppose have to tell
any Of you that getting lost up
here can be serious business. If
you should get separated from
your guide, fire three shots and
listen for an answering shot and
walk toward it. If you don't get
an answer try to walk in straight
line for camp" They all nodded.
As they started off Woody
pointed out rough trail to Nikki
and Steve and directed them to fol-
low its course around the sloping
side of the mountain. Woody
brought up the rear, much too wise
to walk in front of the rifles of any
hunters.
And as they walked along Nikki
told Steve of her strange meeting
with Bancroft on the train, of the
100000 in the dressing case and
Of her fathers note, Of the shot
at Fiske's cabin. She told him of
Bancroft's advances made the
night before.
Steve's face was a study in
mystified anger. What the devil
does 1t all mean?" he asked. Nikki
shook her head.
II don't know. You can see now
why didn't tell you before. I
don't know what Dads reason was
for keeping things so secret, but
after that accident on the trail
yesterday can't stand 1t any
longer. I've wanted to tell you
all along, dear"
II was worried" confessed
Steve, holding back branch to
allow Nikki to pass. But I didn't
know what to worry about"
Now we can both worry" said
Nikki, land we still don't know
what to worry about"
"Fiske has some connection, OBJ
viously," said Steve, land then
there's Uncle jim
What about Uncle Jim?" Nikki
asked quickly.
why, nothing much. Only day
before yesterday at the ranch
walked in on him and Fiske sit
ting in the living room. They
were alone and talking very
earnestly. When they saw me
coming they got up and Fiske be-
gan asking Uncle Jim about the
ranch and how many cattle he
used to raise on it. I'm pretty
sure they weren't talking about
cattle when I came up"
Woody caught up with them and
spoke.
when we get around the next
turn we'll be in some good game
country. Miss Nikki, you keep to
the left and, Mr.. Mallory, you bear
Of to the right. Keep even with
each other and be careful of your
shots. Try to walk as softly as
you can. We're down wind, but
these wild critters got mighty fine
ears. If you get shot, make 1t
good, cause you amt likely to
get a second at the same animal.
They're mighty fast"
They walked slowly across al
most three miles of fiat depression
that lay between two hills. There
was brush and some second
growth timber that made perfect
cover, but neither antelope nor
deer had picked the spot for feed
ing that day. They didn't even
hear that swift drum of frightened
hoofs which tells the story of
game gone before it is even
sighted.
''well keep on going" said
Woody, land make it again this
afternoon when we come back
He cooked an eye up at the sky
and they noticed 1t had grown
darker. 4..t-...
Ramp" asked Steve.
Might get little shower" an
swered Woody. .....
Il guess little rain won't hurt
u.s." said Steve.
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