The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-02-16


Creek was blank patch marked
'Unsurveyed.
He thrust the map ifnpatiently into
his pocket. Time was too short to-
day for ride very far down, but
then, gauging with his eyes, he
picked up a transverse ridge that
left the bank of Sulphur Canyon
short distance below its head, and
turning south dropped toward Rock
House. 1t looked like an easy route.
He could explore little of the coun-
try down there, then follow the ridge
back to his main trail.
Goof objected. Breck took loop
of the lead rope around his saddle
horn and snaked him. Soon they
were sliding from the summit on
/ long swale of loose rock. Upon
reaching the canyon he entered
abruptly into twilight.
Presently he came TO a small,
yellow-crusted pool. A little further
on waterfall blocked the canyon
bottom, forcing him to dismount and
lead his train to the next level. When
he mounted again, Goof suddenly
threw up his head and faced the
opposite bank, ears pointing. Breck
let himself back to the ground.
He stood tense, watching across
the hollow of his saddle. Nothing
showed in the pines. Only a far
off roar broke the silence. 1t sound
ed like another waterfall, yet it
grew louder, approaching from
above. Abruptly a new note joined
in; wall that rose and diminished.
Black clouds resting on the canyon
top began to flow like river down
between the walls. The roar in
creased, though muffied still, as if
all the winds of the heavens were
penned behind great doors that were
about to be swung wide.
Again Breck raised himself to his
stirrup. The sharp crack that sound
ed instantly might have been the
first charge of thunder, save for
the whine past his head. He lodged.
The lead rope burned through his
hand as Goof reared. Custer lunged
with him. They broke away togeth-
er, bucking at their packs as they
raced down the canyon.
Kit showed his mountain breeding.
He lowered his head and stood mo-
tionless as Breck leveled his gun
over the saddle and aimed at a rock
where he had caught fash of fire.
But that first shot was not repeated.
Their trai. was distinct for half a
mile, but soon rain broke in spouts
and after that he rode by chance,
hoping to find his mules in a meadow
or halted with lead ropes tangled
in down timber. He saw nothing
until, having descended to a shelf,
he found a white patch of Goof's s
tarpaulin. Nearby was one small
hoofprint.
He followed on. Black night came
before he passed growth of year
ling pine and glimpsed ahead the
open space of meadow. He dis
mounted, tied Kit and continued on
afoot. Where trees ended and grass
began, something sharp struck his
arm. He leaped back, gun drawn,
then realized it was the barbed wire
| of a fence.
That meant a pasture and perhaps
| a cabin. He was rain-soaked; the
wind now was close to freezing. De-
Gliding to leave his horse hidden in
| the trees, he moved on alone. Half
an hour of feeling along the fence
brought him to a corral. Beyond
loomed a small log house.
| 1t was deserted; even from where
he stopped he could make out the
door swinging on loose hinge. Yet
he approached with gun ready and
stood near the easement before
peering in. When he struck a match
the room showed wet and empty.
In the flash of light he looked into
| all corners, then to the ceiling
Small logs placed across the beams
formed loft that dripped with wa
ter from a poor roof. The whole
place was flooded, but offered shell
ter from the wind, and there was
an iron stove at the further end.
Suddenly he paused in his search.
Something in the wind? Its moaning
had changed. He stood motionless
in the dark. Then the sound came
again. Hoofs thumped on the sog-
| gy earth.
He judged two animals. 1t might
be his packs coming toward the
meadow But then above the splash
of rain about the cabin, he heard a
mans muttering. Instinct carried
him a step closer to the door, away
from the confning walls. Then he
halted The thud of approach out
side was too near. Another muffled
voice joined the first.
Though the tones were indistinct,
he could guess the owners. This
was Tillson country. That shot
awhile ago told plainly enough what
had brought them out tonight. He
| glanced to the loft and reached up
instantly as a dim shape moved
out there in the dark. Tumult of the
storm covered the noise as he
sprang, caught one log, and drew
| himself across the others that
formed a crude floor. Face down
to the cracks, he lay for a breath
less moment while the thud of
horses hoofs ended and man came
in below.
This one spoke abruptly. He amt
here yet
Reply came in a low mutter from
beyond the doorway. Eve can wait.
Let's get in out of the rain"
Breck knew this last was Jud Till
son.
CHAPTER VIII