through the woods is blind. Andrews
is the only man I know of who could do it, but I think Billy Mason said
Andrews had gone up on the Gunther track to run lines. Come on; we'll
see."

With infinite difficulty and caution, they reached the shore. Across
the gleaming logs shone dimly the lanterns at the scene of work, ghostly
through the rain. Beyond, on either side, lay impenetrable drenched
darkness, racked by the wind.

"I wouldn't want to tackle it," panted Thorpe. "If it wasn't for that
cursed tote road between Sadler's and Daly's, I wouldn't worry. It's
just too EASY for them."

Behind them the jam cracked and shrieked and groaned. Occasionally was
heard, beneath the sharper noises, a dull BOOM, as one of the heavy
timbers forced by the pressure from its resting place, shot into the
air, and fell back on the bristling surface.

Andrews had left that morning.

"Tim Shearer might do it," suggested Thorpe, "but I hate to spare him."

He picked his rifle from its rack and thrust the magazine full of
cartridges.

"Come on, Wallace," said he, "we'll hunt him up."

They stepped again into the shriek and roar of the storm, bending their
heads to its power, but indifferent in the already drenched condition
of their clothing, to the rain. The saw-dust street was saturated like a
sponge. They could feel the quick water rise about the pressure at their
feet. From the invisible houses they heard a steady monotone of flowing
from the roofs. Far ahead, dim in the mist, sprayed the light of
lanterns.

Suddenly Thorpe felt a touch on his arm. Faintly he perceived at his
elbow the high lights of a face from which the water streamed.

"Injin Charley!" he cried, "the very man!"

Chapter LIV

Rapidly Thorpe explained what was to be done, and thrust his rifle into
the Indian's hands. The latter listened in silence and stolidity, then
turned, and without a word departed swiftly in the darkness. The two
white men stood a minute attentive. Nothing was to be heard but the
steady beat of rain and the roaring of the wind.

Near the bank of the river they encountered a man, visible only as an
uncertain black outline against the glow of the lanterns beyond. Thorpe,
stopping him, found Big Junko.

"This is no time to quit," said Thorpe, sharply.

"I ain't quittin'," replied Big Junko.

"Where are you going, then?"

Junko was partially and stammeringly unresponsive.

"Looks bad," commented Thorpe. "You'd better get