Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1946-09-06
CHAPTER K

and found one where the tree had
rooted, wide assure in the wall of
rock. He swung toward it, got his
foot into it, and, holding thus to the
rope and the cliff, reached down and
laid his hand on Stenhart's body. He
thought he was still conscious, for
his heavy eyelids quivered, but he
lay there, dead weight. Swiftly,
cautiously, Sherwin wound the rope
around his body and made it secure
under the armpits, balancing HIM
self on foothold so narrow that
touch might hurl him down. Then,
grasping the slack of the rope, he
began to climb. The ledge seemed
q thousand feet above him, but, at
last, he lay on its brink, gasping.
He heard sounds now other than
the cataract, the crashing of boughs,
voicesl He took no heed of them,
for, as he rose to his feet, he saw the
tree that supported Stenhart 60
down and the motionless body swing
out on the end of the rope. Sherwin
braced himself and began to haul
him up by main strength. Slowly,
surely, he drew his enemy out Of
the abyss, steadied him at the edge
Of the rock, brought him safe over
and laid him down. His own muscles
ached and his head swan, but STEM
hart still breathed He opened his
eyes and looked up in Sherwin's
face. Sheer terror leaped into his
eyes, but he was spent, helpless; his
white lips moved, but only one word
came in whisper.
"Water!"
"A mountain spring was trickllng
close at hand, and Sherwin cupped
the water in his hands and wet his
face and lips, and again Stenhart
tried to speak; but, as his rescuer
bent to listen. heavy hands fell upon
him and there was a shout of tri-
umph.
Get him, Sheriff.
Sherwin, on his knees beside the
injured man, looked up to find the
posse closing in. He shook off the
man who had grasped him and rose
to his feet just as Jim Keller painted
up the trail.
Hold on, Cutler!" Jim cried,
that man saved Stenhart-I saw
him-at the risk of his own life!"
"Ain't taking no chances, Mr.. KEEL
Ter. Here you, Adams, you hand
cuff him; he's the man we're after!"
Sherwin offered no resistance; he
submitted with an iron composure.
He had thrown away his dear
bought liberty to save Stenhart.
II reckon he can walk, after ALL"
said the sheriff. How you feeling
now, Mr.. Stenhart?"
Stenhart tried to stand upright,
but his eyes had met Sherwin's and
his mouth went dry. He wet his
lips, shaking all over.
WED better carry him." said
Jim. "Cheer up, old chap, you're
sound, no bones broken!"
II can walk" said Stenhart thick
y, leaning heavily on Jim.
"The ledge is mighty narrow; can
you manage without help, Mr.. Kel-
ler?" The sheriff was solicitous
for the man who had helped him
make his capture.
"Oh, we'll dol" Jim threw a sup
porting arm around Stenhart. 1t was
on the tip of his tongue to tell the
men to go ahead with the prisoner
and bring help from the ranch and
a car for the injured man, but he
remembered Jane; he must 60 first
himself. The thought impelled Jim
to look back at Sherwin, and some
thing in his white face made him
recoil at the sight of his bound
hands. He beckoned Cutler to him.
SIS it necessary-I mean, those
handouts? By Jove, saw what he
did; he's a brave mani"
The sheriff nodded grimly. Cant
take chances, Mr.. Keller, he's jail
breaker; swore he was goin' to kill
Stenhart. I amt so ALFRED clear
In my mind what he meant to do
with him anyways-he had him all
trussed up with that rope!"
They began the descent slowly.
Jim, supporting Stenhart, went
ahead; behind came the sheriff,
then the men bringing Sherwin. A
heavy cloud had risen in the west;
its purple edges were sweeping up
ward. The sunlight went out and, as
they entered the steep trail, thunder
rolled deeply across the hills. The
way, narrow and difficult, grew dim
with the darkness of the approach
ing storm. Stenhart, weak and
stunned from his fall, stumbled and
set the stones rolling and tumbling
ahead of them.
STEADY, old chap" said Jim, and
his supporting arm frightened. It
seemed to him that Stenhart suf-
fered with some trouble of the mind
as deep as the stiffness of his body;
not once had he lifted his dark eyes
to look ahead of him, and he was
CHASTITY pale. Jim, glancing back at
the steep path, saw the feet of the
men following them before he saw