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this quandary they looked about them in vain for some other exit
from the gorge。 The sides of that gigantic white furrow terminated
in darkness。 Hemmed in from the world in all directions； it might
have been their tomb。
But although THEY could see nothing beyond their prison walls； they
themselves were perfectly visible from the heights above them。 And
Jack Tenbrook； quartz miner； who was sinking a tunnel in the rocky
ledge of shelf above the gorge； stepping out from his cabin at ten
o'clock to take a look at the weather before turning in； could
observe quite distinctly the outline of the black wagon； the
floundering horses； and the crouching figures by their side；
scarcely larger than pygmies on the white surface of the snow； six
hundred feet below him。 Jack had courage and strength； and the
good humor that accompanies them； but he contented himself for a
few moments with lazily observing the travelers' discomfiture。 He
had taken in the situation with a glance； he would have helped a
brother miner or mountaineer； although he knew that it could only
have been drink or bravado that brought HIM into the gorge in a
snowstorm； but it was very evident that these were 〃greenhorns；〃 or
eastern tourists； and it served their stupidity and arrogance
right！ He remembered also how he； having once helped an Eastern
visitor catch the mustang that had 〃bucked〃 him； had been called
〃my man；〃 and presented with five dollars； he recalled how he had
once spread the humble resources of his cabin before some straying
members of the San Francisco party who were 〃opening〃 the new
railroad； and heard the audible wonder of a lady that a civilized
being could live so 〃coarsely〃？ With these recollections in his
mind； he managed to survey the distant struggling horses with a
fine sense of humor； not unmixed with self…righteousness。 There
was no real danger in the situation； it meant at the worst a delay
and a camping in the snow till morning； when he would go down to
their assistance。 They had a spacious traveling equipage； and
were； no doubt； well supplied with furs； robes； and provisions for
a several hours' journey； his own pork barrel was quite empty； and
his blankets worn。 He half smiled； extended his long arms in a
decided yawn； and turned back into his cabin to go to bed。 Then he
cast a final glance around the interior。 Everything was all right；
his loaded rifle stood against the wall； he had just raked ashes
over the embers of his fire to keep it intact till morning。 Only
one thing slightly troubled him； a grizzly bear； two…thirds grown；
but only half tamed； which had been given to him by a young lady
named 〃Miggles；〃 when that charming and historic girl had decided
to accompany her paralytic lover to the San Francisco hospital； was
missing that evening。 It had been its regular habit to come to the
door every night for some sweet biscuit or sugar before going to
its lair in the underbrush behind the cabin。 Everybody knew it
along the length and breadth of Hemlock Ridge； as well as the fact
of its being a legacy from the fair exile。 No rifle had ever yet
been raised against its lazy bulk or the stupid； small…eyed head
and ruff of circling hairs made more erect by its well…worn leather
collar。 Consoling himself with the thought that the storm had
probably delayed its return； Jack took off his coat and threw it on
his bunk。 But from thinking of the storm his thoughts naturally
returned again to the impeded travelers below him； and he half
mechanically stepped out in his shirt…sleeves for a final look at
them。
But here something occurred that changed his resolution entirely。
He had previously noticed only the three foreshortened； crawling
figures around the now stationary wagon bulk。 They were now
apparently making arrangements to camp for the night。 But another
figure had been added to the group； and as it stood perched upon a
wagon seat laid on the snow Jack could see that its outline was not
bifurcated like the others。 But even that general suggestion was
not needed！ the little head； the symmetrical curves visible even at
that distance； were quite enough to indicate that it was a woman！
The easy smile faded from Jack's face； and was succeeded by a look
of concern and then of resignation。 He had no choice now； he MUST
go！ There was a woman there； and that settled it。 Yet he had
arrived at this conclusion from no sense of gallantry； nor； indeed；
of chivalrous transport； but as a matter of simple duty to the sex。
He was giving up his sleep； was going down six hundred feet of
steep trail to offer his services during the rest of the night as
much as a matter of course as an Eastern man would have offered his
seat in an omnibus to a woman； and with as little expectation of
return for his courtesy。
Having resumed his coat； with a bottle of whiskey thrust into its
pocket； he put on a pair of india…rubber boots reaching to his
thighs； and； catching the blanket from his bunk； started with an
axe and shovel on his shoulder on his downward journey。 When the
distance was half completed he shouted to the travelers below； the
cry was joyously answered by the three men； he saw the fourth
figure； now unmistakably that of a slender youthful woman； in a
cloak； helped back into the wagon； as if deliverance was now sure
and immediate。 But Jack on arriving speedily dissipated that
illusive hope； they could only get through the gorge by taking off
the wheels of the wagon； placing the axle on rude sledge…runners of
split saplings； which； with their assistance； he would fashion in a
couple of hours at his cabin and bring down to the gorge。 The only
other alternative would be for them to come to his cabin and remain
there while he went for assistance to the nearest station； but that
would take several hours and necessitate a double journey for the
sledge if he was lucky enough to find one。 The party quickly
acquiesced in Jack's first suggestion。
〃Very well；〃 said Jack； 〃then there's no time to be lost； unhitch
your horses and we'll dig a hole in that bank for them to stand in
out of the snow。〃 This was speedily done。 〃Now；〃 continued Jack；
〃you'll just follow me up to my cabin； it's a pretty tough climb；
but I'll want your help to bring down the runners。〃
Here the man who seemed to be the head of the partyof middle age
and a superior； professional typefor the first time hesitated。
〃I forgot to say that there is a lady with us；my daughter；〃 he
began； glancing towards the wagon。
〃I reckoned as much；〃 interrupted Jack simply； 〃and I allowed to
carry her up myself the roughest part of the way。 She kin make
herself warm and comf'ble in the cabin until we've got the runners
ready。〃
〃You hear what our friend says； Amy？〃 suggested the gentleman；
appealingly； to the closed leather curtains of the wagon。
There was a pause。 The curtain was suddenly drawn aside； and a
charming little head and shoulders；