The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 71: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

GOLD GRABBERS. “Tf I am any judge, he is close to the end of his trail,” said he. ‘‘ Miss Mallory and I _ heard _ shooting, O’Hara,” he went on. “ Were you concerned in it?”’ O’Hara explained. “ He fell from the rope,” hazarded Bremerton, ‘‘ and those with him were frightened away. I think the way is clear for us now. We must get Car- ruthers to the mine. If possible, he must be revived so he can talk. Miss Mallory, you can climb out of here by means of the rope?” “Yes,” she answered, and started toward the wall. “Wait, please,” interposed Bremer- ton. “ O’Hara should go first with the rifle. That will guard against possible surprises. If the horses afe still there, O’ Hara, when I am ready here, you can hitch the upper end of the rope to a saddle.”’ The Irishman nodded and climbed the rope readily enough. Bremerton tied the gun to the dangling end, and it was drawn rapidly upward. When the rope was thrown down again, Mari- quita made the ascent, watched anx- iously by Bremerton. There was no call for anxiety. With strength and skill the girl drew herself from crevice to projecting stone the full length of the wall, and was helped over the brink by O’Hara. Bremerton then dragged Carruthers closer to the wall, tied the rope snugly under his arms, and called to O’Hara to hoist away. The limp, twisting body rose gruesomely in the air, and Mariquita caught it at the top of the wall, and by main strength drew it over the ledge. Finally the rope was thrown back to Bremerton, and he won to the crest with little difficulty. Both horses were in the swale. “Get into the saddle, Mike,” said Bremerton. “ [Il lift Carruthers up to you, and you can support him in front of you for the little distance we have to go. I'll walk.” He turned to the girl while O’Hara was mounting. 541 * Miss Mallory,’ he went on, “ will you ride to Phoenix and send out a doc- tor and the sheriff? ” “T want to do anything—everything —TI can,” she answered. “This is all we can do now. Re member what I told you,” he finished earnestly; “ and, whatever happens, do not doubt me.” There was a pathetic curve to her lips as she looked at him trustingly and smiled. “T could not leave the fortunes of the Malloryg in better hands, Mr. Bremerton,” said she and hurried away to her horse. She was away at speed while Brem- erton and O’Hara were attending to Carruthers. It was a slow journey they had back to the mine, but they reached their destination and had the injured man in Bremerton’s bed long before the noon whistle sounded from the mill. Neither Bremerton nor O’Hara had done any talking on the return jour- ney. King, who hurried to the office, did enough talking for half a dozen. “Carruthers! What in goodness’ name was the matter with him?” “What had happened to Bremerton? ” “ Was he rescued by O’Hara? ” The superintendent wearily parried the expert’s questions. “All in due time, King,” said he, “you'll know everything. We've sent for a doctor. Just now, though, you might help O’Hara try to bring Car- ruthers around. I’ve got to fix up a little.” Bremerton attended to his bruises and scratches, and went through with his fixing up. When he had finished, Carruthers was no nearer conscious- ness than he had been before. “He’s obstinate about getting back to earth,’ O’Hara reported. “ Faith, it’s a doctor’s job, or the undertaker’s, and we'll have to wait. Why did you send for the sheriff, Lee? ” “It’s important for him to be here in case Carruthers revives and has anything to say.” : COMicdoo S CO@