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When the crevice in the mountain…top was reached； he threw the
contents of the box down into the tarpaulin which he had spread out to
receive it； and having broken up the box with the ax； cast the boards down
that they might fall to one side of the provisions。 This done； he returned to
the wagon； from above invisible； but which； when he stood on the plain；
loomed dim and shapeless against the night。
There were great stores of comforts and even some luxuries in the
wagon； and it was hard for him to decide what to take next； evidently
Henry Gledware and his wife had expected to live in their wagon after
reaching their destination； for there was a stove under the seat； and a
stovepipe fastened to one side of the wagon。
〃If the Indians don't catch me at this business；〃 said Willock； looking
at the stove； 〃I'll get you too！〃 He believed it could be lowered between
the stone lips of his cave…mouth； for it was the smallest stove he had ever
seen； surely less than two feet in width。 〃I'll get you in；〃 said the plunderer
decidedly； 〃or something will be broke！〃
For the present； however； he took objects more appropriate to summer：
the mattress upon which he had passed the afternoon； a bucket in which he
packed boxes of matches； a quantity of candles； soap； and the like。 This
bucket he put in the middle of the mattress and flanked it with towels and
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pillows； between which were inserted plates； cups and saucers。 〃I'll just
take 'em all；〃 he muttered； groping for more dishes； 〃I might have
company！〃
The mattress once doubled over its ill…assorted contents； he was
obliged to rope both ends before he could carry it in safety。 This load；
heavier than the last； he succeeded in getting to the crevice； and as he
poised it over the brink a few yards from where the tarpaulin lay； he
apostrophized it with〃Break if you want to； pieces is good enough for
your Uncle Brick！〃
When he left the wagon with his next burden； he was obliged to bend
low under buckets； tools； cans and larger objects。 As he moved slowly to
preserve equilibrium； he began to chuckle。 〃Reckon if the Injuns saw me
now；〃 he said aloud； 〃they'd take me for an elephant with the circus…lady
riding my back！〃 At the crevice； he flung in all that would pass the narrow
opening intact； and smashed up what was too large； that their fragments
might also be hidden。
〃Pshaw！〃 grunted Willock； as he started back toward the wagon；
mopping his brow on his shirt…sleeve； 〃Robinson Crusoe wasn't in it！
Wonder why he done all that complaining when he had a nice easy sea to
wash him and his plunder ashore？〃
He was beginning to feel the weariness of the morning return； and the
load that cleaned out the wagon…bed left him so exhausted that he fell
down on the ground beside the crevice； having thrown in his booty。 Here；
with his gull at his side and a pistol in his hand； he fell fast asleep。
He lay there like a man of stone until some inner consciousness began
beating at the door of his senses； warning him that in no great time the
moon would rise。 He started up in a state of dazed bewilderment； staring at
the solemn stars； the vague outlines of giant rocks about him and the
limitless sea of darkness that flowed away from the mountain…top
indicating； but not defining； the surrounding prairie。
〃Get up from here！〃 Willock commanded himself。 He obeyed rather
stiffly； but when he was on his feet； ax in hand； he made the trip to the
wagon nimbly enough。 As he drew near； he saw gray shadows slipping
awaythey were wolves。 He shouted at them disdainfully； and without
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pause began removing the canvas from over the wagon。 When that was
done； his terrific blows resolved the wagon…bed to separated boards；
somewhat splintered hut practically intact。 By means of the wrench he
removed the wheels and separated the parts of the wagon…frame。 Always；
when he had obtained enough for a load； he made that toilsome journey to
his retreat。 He took the four wheels at one time； rolling them one by one；
lifting them singly from ledge to ledge。
The last of his work was made easier because the darkness had begun
to lift。 Suddenly a glow appeared at the rim of the world； to he followed；
as it seemed； almost immediately by the dazzling edge of an immense
silver shield。 The moon rolled over the desert waste and rested like a solid
wheel of fire on the sand。 Instantly for miles and miles there was not a
shadow on the earth。 The level shafts of light bathed with grotesque
luminous distinction the countless prairie…dogs which； squatting before the
mouths of their retreats； barked at the quick betrayal。 Coyotes； as if taken
by surprise； swung swiftly toward remote mountain fastnesses； their backs
to the light。
When Willock made his last and slowest trip to the ridge； his feet
dragging like lead； there was nothing to show that a covered wagon had
stood at the edge of the prairie； the splinters of the final demolition had
already mingled indistinguishably with the wind…driven sand。 Arrived at
the second ridge； which was still in darkness； he took pains that no telltale
sign should be left on the smooth expanse of granite to indicate the near
presence of a man。 Swinging to the lariat that was now tied to a short
plank； he lowered himself into the midst of the debris with which that part
of his floor was strewn。 Poised on top of the heap of boards that had
formed the sides of the wagon； he pushed upward with a longer plank and
dislodged the one from which the rope dangled。 It fell at his feet。
Provided with nails； a hammer and plenty of lumber； it would not be
difficult to construct a ladder for egress。 At present； he was too tired to
provide for the future。 He left the spoils just as they had fallen； except for
the old wagon…tongue and a board or two with which he built a barricade
against the unknown depths at the farthest margin of the floor。 Then
drawing the mattress to one side； and clearing it of its contents； he fell
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upon it with a sigh of comfort； and was again plunged into slumber
slumber prolonged far into the following day。
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CHAPTER VI
A MYSTERIOUS GUEST
When he awoke； a bar of sunshine which at first he mistook for an
outcropping of Spanish gold； glowed against the granite wall of his
mountain…top retreat。 He rose in leisurely fashionhenceforth there would
be plenty of time； years of it； running to waste with useless days。 After
eating and partaking sparingly of the brackish water of the keg； he nailed
together two long sideboards of the dismembered wagon； and having
secured these end to end； he fastened in parallel strips to the surface short
sticks as steps to his ladder。 This finished； he made a rope…ladder。 The
ladder of boards was for use in leaving the cave； the rope…ladder； which he
meant to hide under some boulder near the crevice； could be used in
making the descent。
The formless mass of inchoate debris； the result of his toilsome
journeys of the night before； was left as it had fallenthere would be time
enough to sort all that； a hundred times。 At present； he would venture forth
with the sole object of examining his surroundings。 〃This suits me
exactly；〃 he muttered； with a good…humored chuckle； 〃just doing one thing
at a time； and being everlasting slow about