Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-02-05

more incautious he will be; so made no
effort to retain our guns. Dick also had
a revolver, and was one of those men
who knew would use it well when the
| time came
Ny suspicious of our host grow at last
to such a pitch that determined to COM
municate them TO Dick. Nothing would
be easier than for this villainous half
breed-lor / felt convinced be bad ludian
blood in him-nothing could be easier
than, with the aid >of an accomplice, to
cut our throats or shoot us while we
were ssleep,a and so get our guns, watches,
and whatever money we carried. Who,
In these lonely woods, would hear the
shot. or hear our cries tor help3 What
emissary OF the law, however sharp,
could point olt our graves in those wild
woods, or bring the murder home TO
those who committed it? Linton at first
laughed, then grew serious, and gradu-
ally became convert 10 my spprehen-
sions We hurriedly agreed that while
one slept the other should watch. and so
take it in turns through the night.
Joel had surrendered to us his couch
OF deerskin and his blanket he himself
said he could sleep quite as we'll on tie
floor near the fire. AS Dick and | were
both tired We were anxious to get our
rest as soon as possible. So after q
hearty meal OF deersLeak and tough
cakes. washed down by good draught
from our brandy flask, /, being the
youngest, got the first hours sleep, and
flung myself on the couch OF skins. As
my eyes gradually closed, | saw dim
picture Of Dick seated sternly by the fire
aud the long shape OF the halt-breed
stretched out like huge shadow upon
the loor.
Alter what | could have swore to be
only lhree-minules' doze, Dick woke
me and informed me that my hour was
out, and turning me out OF my warm
nest. lay down without any ceremony,
aud in few seconds WAS heavily snor-
ing. rubbed my eyes. felt for my re-
volver. aud seating myself on one OF the
pine slumps, commenced my watch. The |
ha.l-5reed appeared to be buried in q
profound slumber, and in the halt-weird |
light cast by his enormous figure seemed |
almost Titanic in its proportions. con-
fess felt that 10 struggle tor life he
was more than match for Dick and my |
self. then looked at the fire, and began |
fayorite amusement of mine-shaping |
forms in the embers. All sorts OF figures
defined themselves before me. Battles,
tempests ut sea, familiar iaces, and above
all shone, ever returning, the dear |
features Of Bertha Linton. my aihanced |
bride. She seemed TO me to smile at me
through burning haze, and l could |
almost fancy heard her say, wv hile
you are watching in the lonely forest
am thinking OF You and praying Tor your
safety"
A slight movement on the part OF the
slumbering halt breed here recalled me |
from the sweet dreams. He turned on |
his side, lifted himself slowly on his
elbow, and gazed atten.ively at me.
did net stir. Still retaining my stopping |
attitude. | halt closed my eyes and re-
mained motiouless. Doubtless be thought |
was asleep, for in a moment or two he
rose noiselessly, and creeping with .
stealthy step across the floor, passed out
of the hut. | listened-oh! how eagerly. !
Ii seemed to me that through the imper-
iectly jointed crevices OF the log walls
could plainly hear voices Whispering
would have given worlds 10 have crept
near to listen, but was fearful OF dis
turbing the fancied security OF our host,
who lelt certain had sinister designs
upon US. So remained perfectly still.
The whispering suddenly ceased. The
half-breed re-entered the hut, in the
same stealthy manner in which he had
Quilted il, and after giving scrutinizing
glance at me once more stretched himself
upon the floor and affected to sleep. ln
a lew moments l pretended TO awake
yawned, looked al my watch. and tind-
ing that my hour had more than expired.
proceeded to wake Dick. As | turned
him out of bed. | whispered in his ear.
Don't take your eyes off that fellow,
Dick. He has accomplices outside; be
careful - Dick gave meaning glance.
carelessly touched his revolver, as much
as to say. Here's something to inter-
fere with his little arrangements" and
took his seat on the pine stump, in such
a position as TO command view of the
sleeping half-breed and the doorway at
the same time.
This time though awfully tired, l could
not sleep. A horrible load seemed press
ing on my chest, and every five minutes
| would start up to see il Dick was keep
ing his watch faithfully. My nerves
were strung to a frightful pitch of tensity
my heart beat at every sound, and my
head seemed to throb until / thought my
temples would burst. The more re-
flected on the conduct of the half-breed