The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-11-12

hurried glance at Seth's blanket-clothed
figure. But it did not stir till Hugh had
passed out of sight.
On went the fugitive, as briskly as his
footsore condition would allow; and after
him, but far more briskly, that he had
been refreshed by three good daysof rest,
sped Seth Jones, till between both men,
and the shaaty full of breakfasting
miners there had been put a long, judi
cious distance, distance well beyond
the hearing of pistol shots or shrieks for
help. And then, as he aed, Hugh hegan
to perceive that, hasten as he might, a.
swiftly moving form behind little by lit
tie steadily gained upon him. Should
Seth possess his treasure? Newer while
he had strength to defend it. If only he
had robbed Macpherson of the revolvers
when he robbed him of the diamonds,
Hugh would have turned at bay, and
shot down his pnrsuer like a dog. But
his bowie was the sole weapon he pos
sessed.
Knowing then that if he remained in
sight, his life would speedily be forfeit,
he dashed into the bush, and hid himself
among the dense underground. And
while he crouehed and listened breath
lessly, there came, at first far off and in
distinct, though ever growing louder, a
jingle ofhorses' bells. oh, blessed sound
thatseemed to promise speedy succor He
rose from his leafy shelter, he thrust him
self excitedly forward, he shouted loud
and wildly for help; and the next instant
was laid low by bullet from Seth's un-
erring hand.
For moment, the william, now stoop-
ing over his PROSTATE victim, hesitated as
he listened to the rapid tramp of horses
feet, and the roll Of fast approaching
wheels, but hesitated for moment only.
He knew well the windings of that road,
following as it did the brawling rivers
bank, and he noted with satisfaction the
density of the bush close at hand. There
was just time to do all he wanted; the
would-be resclers had not yet reached
yonder sharply-turning corner. Hugh
lay still enough, there was no more re-
sistance there. So Seth tore the ragged
clothes apart, and, with the aid of his
ready bowie knife, ripped off the dia-
mond belt, and disappeared into the for
est Just as the heads of couple Of horses
rounded the corner.
Behind the galloping steeds were seen
two men, old acquaintance of Hugh's,
and fellow-passengers on the outward
journey, four years previously; the one
a brieHess barrister, and the other med
ical student, in the old country; and, in
the new, long since set up together as
"packers" between Yale and Cariboo.
But Hugh saw them not; his eyes were
closed, and he lay as one dead. Yet when
Tyrrel and Montgomery had raised and
placed him in their wagon, they found
life not yet extinct, and Montgomery
surgical skill availed to save it. The
two new arrivals had caught sight Of the
would-be murderer as he vanished into
the bush; and Tyrrel, leaving the wound.
ed man in his friends care, plunged into
the leaf covert in pursuit.
Vain quest! for Seth was speedily only
too we'll hidden from mortal eyes. For
getting a bushman's usual caution in
dread lest the precious belt should be
wrestled from his grasp, the william pene
trated too deeply within that bewilderins
maze which 50 rarely yields up its once
Gagged inmates, and never came fortl
again.
Thus diamonds and thief alike wer
lost.
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