128 WAITING IN THE WILDERNESS 



Reaching Lost Basin, Ashton had thrown off 

 the saddle and the richly stuffed saddle bags. 

 He picketed the tired, hungry pony in the grass, 

 and then climbed to the top of the cliff. He 

 had in mind to camp in this retreat a day or 

 two, then go back down to the road and proceed 

 where he liked. He was eagerly watching the 

 confused search of the foreman and the cowboy. 



Moore came crawling along his trail. Then 

 the unexpected happened. The moment that 

 Moore appeared the picketed pony greeted him 

 with a whinny. 



This was warning enough for Scott Ashton. 

 He scrambled down the opposite side of the cliff. 

 Moore, anticipating this move, hurried around 

 to head him off. But Ashton had made his 

 get-away in the woods and crags beyond. 



In such a region, it was suicidal for Moore to 

 follow so skilful a man. He went back to the 

 horse and found the $20,000 in the saddlebags. 

 He then fired two shots and began slowly leading 

 the horse down the steep mountain side. 



