Dave Porter's Great Search

think of th

, Roger," answered Dave Porter, a trace of a

horse to a standstill so that he might scan the distant horizon minutel

e out at Star Ranch," answered Dave. "Don't you remem

e, those were certainly great d

get the chance to run out to 2the ranch," continued Dave. "I

Lawrence sneaking out this

Roger? Belle is an

ame him, any more than I'

for sneaking off to Crumville t

being back in Crumville this mom

n our way. Those black clouds are comin

o you suppose we

followed this trail for a long tim

ad comes through this way it will certainly

with the natives. But come on, we had better not waste any more time

valley, containing more rocks than grazing lands. Off to the southward could be seen a small stream which some time bef

Grande," remarked Roger, as the two chums made their way along the

tired of the marsh land along that river, an

e on us," laughed the chum. "Say, we came pretty clos

here on this railroad work as we did on that Catalco Br

otted along the stony trail. Then, pleased by a passi

ineering feat all on our own hook?" he cried. "Think of our putting up some big bri

d of the Mentor Construction Company had to start as we are doing-at the foot of th

If you'll remember, the trail is

point the trail became exceedingly narrow and wound in and out around a cliff which towered at least a hundred feet above their heads. I

land," murmured Roger, as he held back his steed so as t

swered Dave. 5"And if you did that, you and your horse would most likely be

topped to give a long, loud whistle, to announce to any one coming in the opposite direction that they were approaching.

ore than three quarters of the sky was overcast. Far off in t

Soon the murmur had increased to a strange humming, and then, in a moment more, the

Dave, as he urged his horse forward. "

came out on a broad trail running to a number of mines and ranches in that part of Montana. Here for over 6a mile riding was much

efore the rain comes?" questio

e comes the rain n

drops of the on-coming storm. Then the rain became a steady

construction gang, to ride up the trail and make sure that certain marks had been left there by the surveyors for the railroad. The work done by the railroad had been mer

h a downpour as this," gasped Roger, a

wn to beat the band! But what are we going to do? I don't believ

me sort of shelter near by. Com

ain with their hands. In such a downpour the sc

uppose we've got to go on and take what comes. By the tim

othing, anyway," responded Dave lightly. "And we

he added with a grin. For neither of the chums had seen anything like a bathtub or a shower for several months. Whe

in their faces as they proceeded. The downpour was so severe that presently

as he brought his horse to a halt. "I think

rned his chum quickly, a

on have come out on the road at a point where it would have been perfectly safe to proceed. But the turn to the left le

queried Dave. "I don't believe we c

s," urged Roger. "We are bound to g

gh the rain and increasing darkness. The first rush of wind had now somewhat subsided, but in its pl

thunder became louder and several more flash

Roger, and maybe you can s

d not only for the next flash of light but also for the two following, they

last. "And if that's the case, the only thing

farther. Maybe the road is at

round here, we might get shelter, Roger. I don't much like

as you mention within a mile or two of this place. I didn't see any

wed him, all the while thinking that it would be better to retrace thei

l somehow," thought Dave. "Now

ged Roger into believing that the roadway was not far distant. Less

'll be b

have to turn ba

so. Isn't i

ft mountain torrent, bordered on one side by a low, irregular cliff and on the other by the jagged rocks and the tall forest. The rain was now coming down as steadily as ever, while

the roadway," suggested Roger, who hated to think of going ba

l engineers start. The horses too were badly frightened, and both gave wild plunges one into the other. As a consequence, 11

es!" gasped Dave,

l but stunned. Dave attempted to struggle to his feet and catch the plunging animals, but before he could do so