UV fc " -
RED CLOUD. NEBRASKA, CHUT
i
i
i
Ill " . 1
COMRADES
CHAPTER XII Continued.
13
"And I have given you my heart
long ago. Kiss rac, Tom."
They sat there, closely pressed to
gether In that narrow space, scarcely
aware any longer of the danger at
hand, eager only to hear each other's
voice. Ahove the crackle of the
flames, and the crashing of falling
timbers, they could distinguish the In
termittent crack of a rifle, and the
echo of voices calling. Shelby began
to dig with one hand at the pile of
earth beside him so as to widen the
spaco between Its summit and tho
roof. The action caused his mind to
revert to the Imminent peril of their
situation.
"It will be all over with before day
light," he said soberly, "and that will
be our chance to get out."
"How do you suppose Macklln ever
got through there?" she questioned
wtmdcrlngly.
"That's what bothers me. Either
he wasn't hurt much, or he had help.
It Is my notion the girl brought hltn
out In some wuy. The shooting was
an act of sudden anger, for which she
was sorry the very next moment They
may be hiding there now, somewhere
In the tunnel."
alio lifted herself up and peered
through Uic opening; the glaro of the
flames did not penetrate beyond the
barrier of earth and she saw nothing
but impenetrable blackness.
"Shall we go. and sec?"
"Not yet; we are safer here, until
those devils give up. You can hear
their voices yet out there."
They had no way of telling time,
and tho hours dragged. The sound of
firing had entirely ceased, and the
Hliouts of voices died away one after
the other. Shelby waited patiently,
listening for the slightest sound, but.
nt last, could restrain himself no
longer.
"I do not know how lute It Is." ho
said dually, "yet it must be nearly
mortilng. Most of those fellows must
be gone. Shall we try our luck, little
girl?"
She put her hand silently into his.
1 CHAPTER XIII.
The Fugitive!.
fie led the way, finding little diffi
culty in crawling over the mound of
earth, and Olgu followed easily. The
cool darkness into which they ad
vanced was a great relief, while, the
sense of action restored their shat
tered nerves. They encountered no
further obstruction of uny kind, but
suddenly reached n sharp turn to
ward the left. Shelby felt his pass
age around tho comer, nwure of the
pressure of Olga's fingers on his
sleeve, but his eyes could perceive
nothing unusuul beyond. Yet, with
his first step forwurd, ho wane to a
sudden halt.
"Stay where you are, senor," said
a low voice, "not n move till I speak."
He caught his breath quickly,
ncarcoly daring to set down an uplifted
foot. There was no doubt who thut
was that spoke out of the darkness,
"But I am Shelby," be blurted forth
swiftly. "You have no reason to fear
me."
"Shelby I How you come here? You
found the trap? And and Is she with,
you?"
"Yea, scnnrlta. An accident re
vealed to ub a way out. It was you,
then, who took Mucklln nway ; he was
not killed?"
A moment thero was silence; then
she broke out suddenly, passlonntely,
the words fairly falling over each oth
er In her eagerness of expression.
"I am not afraid, Senor Shelby. No !
No I I hav' zo pistol In my hand. I
shoot. The dark eet make no differ
ence, f,or you are there JtiRt before me
she an you are there. Listen, then ;
I tell you what happen. I hate an'
I love see! Then I make tneestnke.
Madre do Dlosl I know not how eet
was, but I shoot the mun I love. Eet
was crazy thing; but I not keel heem;
I know I not keel heem. How I know?
Santa Marie I The good Gnd would
not let me believe thot. What could
I do? I ran away mad Into the woods.
I would maybe yet save heem, but
how? You know, senor, eet was I
who shoot Senor Macklln?"
"Yes, I'anehn; the lady here saw
your fuce."
"Ycb, It was I, senor I who love
heem. Why should eet be so? I went
there not for that no I I tell 'yon
how cot all come. I3et was because of
my brother, eenor you know my
brother, Juan Villcmonte? He dead,
senor, dead. You know how he die?
Eet was a quarrel with Senor Lnud
an' Senor Hanley they Wei heem, tho
two against tho one. I not know what
happen. I wait In the cabin for Juan
to come, but he stay away. No one
tell me'teel an Indian boy come an'
lie tell. Then I know Juan Is dead,
an' I go crazy like that. I nm Span.
Isb, senor; I hate an I love then only
I hate I I would avenge my brother;
I would' keel the man that keeled heem.
I care only for to do that. Ho was
there In this cabin ; I creep up an' see.
Hot was dark In there, yet I saw hees
face. He could not see me, but I aim,
lienor Macklln wos them too, an the
By RANDALL PARRISH
other girl, but I care not then for them
at all. I bate an' I see only tho one
I bate. Santa Marie I Why was eet
o?"
"You shot the wrong man?"
"SI. senor. Senor Macklln, he step
forward quick Just when I Ore; he
drop nn' I run."
Shelby felt Olga grip him and heard
her voice at his ear.
"She never heard what Macklln said ;
don't let her know." '
He crushed the question already on
his lips hack Into his throat
"Yes," Shelby said: "I see how It
happened, now. And what did you do
then, Pancbn?"
She was not sobbing, but her quick
breathing gave the Impression In the
darkness.
"What I do, senor? I pray the Vir
gin that I may save heem. Then I
remember this passage from the ravine.
How I know eet? Juan and I, we live
In the cabin a month; 'twas then I
found eet. I was underneath when
you fought, senor; then, when you
were both outside I got heem H
"Macklln, you mean? He was
alive?"
"Yes, Benor, alive. Maybe he live,
maybe he die; I know not I do what
I can. Eet took long time; oven I
carried heem alone."
"But how did you get across that
cave-In of earth?"
"Eet was not thero; eet come lat
er," she explained. "I would go back,
senor, when they fired the cabin, but
the earth had caved and I could not
get through."
"To help us?"
"SI, senor; to help you and me.
What could I do alone? That Is why
I tell you; why I talk. Eet Is not
for you, nor for me. I would save
heem nn' only can eet be done If I
have help. I do nil I can Madre de
Dlos. yes. But how I get heem out,
senor?"
"But why not call the others?"
Shelby asked suddenly In suspicion.
"What danger Is Macklln In?"
"You know not?" In surprise. "The
Indian boy tell me ho an' Hanley.
They plan eet all out 'Twas because
Juan would not be one of them they
keel heem. They would hold her for
ransom; they say a man comes soon
here who would pay much ; so they try
to put out of the way Senor Macklln.
TIs to get her that Slagln go to the
cabin; ho fall, and then Senor Laud
try another way. He not know when
he come that Senor Macklln get back.
No one know."
Shelby Bmothered nn oath; the
whole foul plot suddenly revealed to
him In nil Its hldcousncss. This then
was what these Hondo had been plan
ning; It was plot within plot; crimi
nal against criminal. He was blind
not to have perceived the truth be
fore; now It stood before him In all
Its sheer nakedness. Macklln's drunk
en boast had brought forth Its full
brood; Hanley, too brainless and
cowardly to lead, had told nil he knew
to Indian Joe embellished It, no doubt
and It was Just the sort of thing
the latter was eager to get his hands
Into seemingly a safe game, with a
good stake. Shelby reached out and
drew Olga closer to him In the dark
ness. "I understand, now," he said terse
ly, "We've got to light this out to
gether. All right, I'm ready. What
Is It you wunt me to do? Cau Mack
lln walk?"
"No. senor; I think maybe he erra
bad off; he not speak now for long
time. Maybe you tell what wo do for
heem."
"I'm afraid not, Pancha. I've doc
tored some wounds, but I'm no expert.
Where Is he? Oh, here."
He bent down In the dark and
touched the motionless figure. His tin
gers sought the man's pulse, which
showed wenk but rapid.
"Where was the wound?"
"In the right chest, senor."
"And you have dressed and band
aged It?"
"Yes, senor; the best I could. I
tore up my underskirt."
"Do you know If he hied much?"
"Not since I found heem no; eet
was very little.. You think maybe he
live, senor?"
"I am unable to answer that, Pan
cha." he replied soberly, rising to his
feet. "Tho man Is evidently hard hit,
weak from loss of blood and In a
coma now from fever. This In no
place for him. If we could got him
out Into the open, bandage his wouud
propfrrlv and get a doctor for the bull
he might have a fair chance. I can
say no more than that."
"A doctor I Where would there be
a doctor?"
"I know of none this side of Qor
lusche; un army surgeon Is at tho
camp there; no doubt ho would come."
"(Jerlasche I And and ho could save
heem, senor?"
"He might; I can promise nothing;
but that would be tho only hope."
"But you will l.elp mo? You pledge
that?"
"I will do whatever I can," Shelby
said earnestly. "I hardly know how'
we are going to manage It Onco out
side, wo might find somo poles, rig
up a litter, and bo get along, the three
of us."
"Yes," Interposed Olgu sympathet
OF PERIL
ically, "we must do that If possible.
Ho cannot be left to die alone In this
horrible place. I nm strong, and will
help all I can. Could wo now start
at once?"
"Just a moment Is there an en
trance not far away, Pancha?"
"Not CO feet, senor."
Then wo ought to hear any firing
or shouting without Everything
seems quiet Let's mako the effort
now."
Ho sent the Mexican girl on in ad
vance, and lifted the unconscious
Macklln upon his back, Olga partially
supporting the helpless body. The
wounded , man groaned nt tho first
movement, but lapsed Immediately
Into silence again, and Shelby moved
slowly forward with his burden along
the dark, narrow passage. It termi
nated la a smalt hole, well protected
by a covert oX brush, through which
the fellow had to be drawn cautious
ly. Once on the outside, under the
cold gleam of the stars, they found
themselves protected by the high
hanks of a gully, that turned sharply
to the left connecting with u deeper
ravine. The three clustered close, and
listened, but no sound broke the still
ness. Satisfied they were not ob
served, Shelby again picked up the
wounded man, and, with Pancha guid
ing, her figure barely discernible In
the gloom, slowly advanced down the
depression.
It was hard, slow work, as Shelby
had to carefully pick his way 'among
tho stones, seeking a safe resting place
for each foot They must move noise
lessly. Their only hope lay In tho con
fidence tho Indians felt In their death
within the cabin. If they were as
sured as to this, then they had prob
ably scattered, willing to wnlt until
morning to search the debris for their
bodies. But this they couldn't know.
As they turned Into tho ravine they
obtained a glimpse of the burned
cabin. One wall yet stood, ragged
against tho sky. and there was a gleam
of red embers. Occasionally a gust
of nlr sent sparks flying upwnrd and
spirals of black smoke were visible.
No moving forms could be perceived
about the ruins, and it was evident the
spot was still In a condition to render
exploration Impossible.
Huddled closely together In the.
shelter of the rocks the fugitives
stared across tho open space at the
red gleam. The Mexican girl had
lifted herself upon a projecting stone,
and was searching the shadows with
keen eyes.
"Where do we go?" Shelby ques
tioned. "Up the rock trail, senor; there Is
no other safe, place."
"So I thought. Then we must get
under cover before daylight Dawn Is
not far off from the looks of the sky."
He paused suddenly. "What kind of a
looking guy is nanley?"
"Ho tall, scrawny, red whiskers."
"Then I got him ; plugged tho fellow
through the arm. Ho won't wunt uny
more for awhile. Come, let's move
on," he added Impatiently. "It's do
ing no good to remain here and stare
nt that fire, and it Is no light load
I've got on my back."
The way was a rough one, strewn
with stones, but well protected by
high banks, on either side. Pancha
seemingly knew every Inch of It, for
she advanced confidently, selecting the
Lifted the Unconscious Macklln Upon
Hie Back.
easier path. So they came to the end
of the cleft, whero It terminated at
the bank of the creek.
Tho light from tho slowly graying
sky overhead scarcely penetrated the
depths of the ravine, and to the bur
den of carylng the heavy body of
Macklln was added tho weariness of
tho frequent stumbling over the stones
with which tho path was strewp. Olga,
fighting off tho deadly falntness which
threatened every moment to overcome
her, bore her sburc of the burden with
Ooprttkt A. C VeCldrt Ca
a courage that moved her husband,
strongly, Inasmuch ns he felt he was
ncnrlng the end of his strength nnd
realized what the strain must be on
her.
The events of the next hour re
mained In Shelby's mind mote like
some terrible dream than a remem
brance. He wus conscious of being
excessively worn, hungry, tired. His
mlnJ did not function, yet he clung
doggedly to his tusk, with teeth
clinched, and every muscle aching
from the effoit. Macklln moaned once
or twice, but without regaining con
sciousness, and twice Shelby felt com
pelled to lay the wounded man on the
ground, while he regained sulllclent
strength to proceed. Once they en
deavored to shift the burden, Olga In
sisting on helping him to bear the
man. But this proved Impracticable,
and again Shelby shouldered the body
and staggered blindly up stream.
The sky was gray, a heavy mist
shrouding the vnlley below, when they
ilnnlly attained the opening Into the
trail sought. Nothing could he seen of
their enemies, nnd, convinced that, as
yet, there was no pursuit, the three
crept breathlessly Into the shadow of
the bushes, dragging the unconscious
Macklln with them. For some min
utes Shelby lay motionless, struggling
for breath, feeling that all strength
had deserted him. He scarcely real
ized that Olga had lifted his head
Into her lap, and was wiping the
beads of perspiration from his fare.
At last, however, his eyes opened, and
he saw her bending over him. The
man's lips broke Into au effort to
smile.
"Some soft, ain't I, little girl?" he
muttered, "but gee! That was a pull,
and I was about all In. Where's Pan
cha?" "Back there, where she can look
out. Is It much farther?"
"To the cave, you mean? Yes, it Is
n hard climb yet, but we will have It
easier. I'll be all rights presently;
we'll cut some stakes, nnd make a
litter.
"I don't know what Is the matter
with me," he apologized, ashamed of
his weakness, "hungry, nnd over
strained, I guess. Maybe I ought to
have left the fellow there."
"Oh. no, Tom 1 We couldn't do that.
The poor thing li pearly crazed."
i"Puncha? Yes, I know; but she'd
be a heap sight better off with the
guy dead."
"But she will not believe that. She
thinks It Is nil her fault, and and
she Is such u wild, passionate little
thing. I would do anything to save
him for her." n
"There Is about one chance In a
thousand. Still he's Just about ornary
enough to make It. We sure don't
owe hlra anything."
"I am not so certain of that," .she
said softly. "I wonder when I would
have known my husband, but for him?
I doubt if you half believe all I con
fessed to you now."
"I can scarcely realize It Is true, but
belief Is not absent."
The motionless girl at the end of
the rock suddculy turned her head,
and glanced back at them with her
piercing black eyes.
"Senor, Is It true that you love her
your wife?"
"True; of course, Pnnchu. I told
you so even before I told her."
"An' she love you?"
"I am Senor Shelby's wife, Pan
chu," spoke up Olga quickly, a flash
burning red on her cheeks. "I have
no other ambition."
"But the money I You rich, he say
that, Senor Macklln. You not even
care for that?"
"Not very much no. I know noth
ing about It, and am perfectly con
tent If It never comes. You must
know what I mean you have loved."
"Yes, senora; I have loved, and
would still love; money Is nothing.
Senor."
"Yes. Pancha."
"I think as I lie here what It was
best to do. They stir down thpre. I
cannot see yet for the fog, but I hear
sounds. Pretty soon they will know,
perhups. They hunt tho burned cabin
an' Hud no bone, no flesh. What will
they do?"
"Lnud will suspect the truth."
"TIh so, perhaps; yet I believe wo
left no trail, senor. It was all rock
an' water; even the Sioux cunnot fol
low that. You know the wuy now?"
"To the cave yes."
"It Is safe. But If the senor lives he
must have a doctor. You tell me that,
and there Is but one wuy; I must
ride."
Shelby straightened up, Instantly
grasping her purpose.
"Yon mean you will leuve us hero
to go on alone?"
"Yes. honor; eet is best They will
not stop me ; they will not know. Un
less I meet Senor Laud there Is no
danger; perhaps even he will not sus
pect, or Interfere. Thero are horses
there, and I ride often sometimes
even up onto the mesa ; no one will
care."
"You are sure you can pass?"
"I am su ro I will pass," she said
firmly. "I ride for hees life, senor."
It was the better plan, nor could
Shelby dciur the urobublllty of its suc
cess. No one, unless possibly It might
be I.aud, sr Hanley, had uny reasoa
to suspect her now. It was a long
Journey to Oerlasche, too long to be
made on foot, and If the girl went
with them up the trail, every effort at
rescue would le delayed.
"You are tight, Pancbn," he admit
ted. "Wo'fcjk get hltn up there some
way. But you better go now, before
the fog rises."
"Yes, senor."
She came over and knelt beside
Mncklln, who was moaning slightly,
his head renting on a pillow made by
ShelbvV aunt. As sl.e bent over him
his eyes partially opened, hut with no
light' of intelligence in them; they
were dull, lusterlesa.
"Senor. senor," she sobbed, pressing
his hand between both her own, "I aia
going to ride for you."
Some angel of mercy must have put
the words on his lips, for certainly he
knew her not, yet fulnt, fitful, there
came from his lips the cry:
"PatichnI I want you, Pnnchnl"
Sho must h'uve understood, known,
nnd yet the comfort of that call was
hers.
She looked at him dry-eyed, motion
less; then bent and kissed his lips.
Slowly, regretfully she arose to her
feet, and faced them, her checks
white.
'"TIs nil," she said simply, "now I
go."
She vanished without n sound, glid
ing through the fringe of bushes and
down the steen bank to the protection
y ,
"Now I Go."
of the creek. They were ulone, but
with their own work to do. Shelby
went at his with quiet efficiency. Se
lecting two stout limbs, similar In size
and length, he run these through the
nnns of his strong corduroy Jacket,
binding them Into position by two
cross-pieces, hastily prepared, and
lashed firmly with strips torn from his
neckerchief. Mncklln, now onee again
silent, and motionless, his eyes cloned,
was lifted gently onto the outspread
cotit, his limbs upheld by one of the
cross-bars, and then the Jacket but
toned securely about him, forming n
swinging cradle finely adapted for the
purpose. Shelby straightened up,
quite himself again.
"There, that will answer nicely,"
he said confidently. "It Is bound to be
a hard climb, but we'll take our time
to It and rest when we nre tired. No
one can see us from below ufter we
once pass the point yonder."
"Is the trnll up bill all the way?"
asked the girl, her ees searching the
steep face of the bluff.
"Yes, pretty sharp at times, but we'll,
manage. It follows a deep cleft
through the rocks, and once found can
not be lost. I'll taktf this end; that
will give mo tho mot of the weIght,
and you lead the way; take It slowly
and you'll be all right."
They picked the Utter up between
them, Olga relieved to discover how
lightly, thus distributed, her share of
the burden rested upon her. She was
able to advance easily and pick her
wnyNamong the rocks without experi
encing great discomfort. The weight
of .the man's body came far heavier
upon Shelby, but the rest and change
had largely restored his strength and
he felt no doubt of his ability to sus
tain this end of the burden. Unable
to seo Just where ho was placing his
feet In tho stony path, hu stumbled
occasionally, causing the wounded
man to groan In some sudden spasm
of pain; yet It wns evident he did not
suffer greatly. The trull they followed
had so Impressed Itself on his memory
that ho recalled every turn clearly and
could call out directions to her In a
low voice.
"Turn sharply to the right there; we
will have to hold the litter higher to
get by that rock; hero Is the only
point exposed: once In the shadow of
thoe trees the way Is completely cov
ered. Yes, we en movo rapidly
around this point; from now on there
are rocks on both sldtts. Take It easy,
and If you need to rast, ray so."
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
Tho Preacher Tcplc.
Billy, not very fond of Sunday
school, wns promised a dime every
time ho remembered ihu sermon. Por
onco he expressed grent interest
"Just think, daddy, It was about fly
ing machines." "What?" said daddy,
"you're mistaken." And ho answered:
"No, sir, I'm not Tho teacher said
Esau sold his heirship to his brother
J&co'aJ.'
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