The Sky Line of Spruce

was true that the shortest way to go to the Yuga River was to follow up the creek by which he was now standing. It was only out of the way to go into Snowy Gulc

the time required to sling packs and care for

of no mean ability when Ezra Melville had taken to the cattle business. Outwardly, to the last, little lines about his lips and eyes, he was his genial, optimistic, droll old self. His eye twinkled, his face be

r victim been talking about

t you know, Ben, I've got a idea all a-sudden." Ben s

nt here, instead of goin' into town. Snowy Gulch is six miles, and we have

tten we've got to get supplies? A

know he's

may be an elephant for all I know.

s could take a little food and a couple of blankets and make it through in less than a day. Half a day, almost. Then we could have the cabin all rea

tfully. "I don't see that much is to be gained by

do that," he said. "I can get along without gazin' at the sky-scrapers of Snowy Gulch, and to tell the truth, th

et a ride, i

a horse,

changed a lot

han ride, even if I did have a horse. So you roll me that big Hudson Bay blanket and give me a coup

ought was that Ezram's curiosity-always a pronounced trait with the old-had mastered him, and he could not wait longer to exp

laim just as his brother had warned him that they would do; and coolly and quietly he had resolved to face them alone. They were desperate men, not likely to be d

eir supplies; and there could really be no question, in Ezram's mind, which should go and which should stay. He had known perfectly that if Ben had realized the true need for haste, he would never have submitted so

ls. If they didn't shoot to kill at first sight of him Ezram would have time in plenty to seek refuge in the forest and do a sharpshooter's business that would fill his old heart with

y or sentimentality, only the knowledge that he did not desire that his young buddy should be shot full of holes in the first moment of play. The only

himself creditably in a fight without a few lungfuls of tobacco smoke first-and he also took his rifle. "You'll be gettin' my brother's gun when you get to Snowy Gulch," he explaine

've got the dire

I guess t

nfided, "and that ain't so all-fired decent, either. When I get any papers that are extra precious, I always stick 'em down the leg

ion-dollar bank note hidden

in' down one of these mountains, say-I want you to look there mighty careful. T

orget," Be

s again, lightly and happily. "So goo

ets farther up the river. He was following a fairly well-worn moose trail, an

with exceeding interest the travelers on the trails, could have thought that old Ezram was already fatigued. He sat down besid

folded the paper, and thrust it into the bootleg. Then