But wild, violent, savage! Not livable! This insulated
rift in the crust of the earth was a gigantic burrow for beasts, perhaps
for outlawed men--not for a civilized person--not for Glenn Kilbourne.
"Don't be scart, ma'am," spoke up the driver. "It's safe if you're careful.
An' I've druv this manys the time."
Carley's heartbeats thumped at her side, rather denying her taunted
assurance of fearlessness. Then the rickety vehicle started down at an
angle that forced her to cling to her seat.
CHAPTER II
Carley, clutching her support, with abated breath and prickling skin, gazed in
fascinated suspense over the rim of the gorge. Sometimes the wheels on
that side of the vehicle passed within a few inches of the edge. The brakes
squeaked, the wheels slid; and she could hear the scrape of the iron-shod
hoofs of the horses as they held back stiff legged, obedient to the wary
call of the driver.
The first hundred yards of that steep road cut out of the cliff appeared to
be the worst. It began to widen, with descents less precipitous. Tips of
trees rose level with her gaze, obstructing sight of the blue depths. Then
brush appeared on each side of the road. Gradually Carley's strain relaxed,
and also the muscular contraction by which she had braced herself in the
seat.
Pages:
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49