New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-10-26
CHAPTER XVIII.

With a growl that made the men in the hall crowd
nearer the door, the dog turned on his assailant.
His sinews stood out under the brown skin. his eyes
gtterei like balls of fire, and the huge mouth. gap
ing from ear to ear showed to this father the white
fangs dripping with his daughters blood. AS he
kept his iron grip on the huge throat Hilton looked
hardly more human than the beast
For a second the cOmbatants glared at each
other: second and then began fearful struggle.
Over and over rolled the man and brute, graphing,
tearing growing; close they in this terrible
contest that none dared fire with the hope of killing
the beast And over all-that still white figure.
that horrible struggling grOup-streamed the bright
light from Marys chamber. In silent terror the
guards looked on, some with pistols ready, but
none advanced. Who would bring upon himself the
rage that fierce animal infurIated by the taste of
blood
The dog was uppermost and with his fangs fast
ened in IIiltons throat. with muttering growls he
seemed about to rend him to pieces, when in a SUI
preme effort the man rose above the animal Tear
ing himself loose he pressed his knees upon the
huge. writhing body, with bloody hands holding
down that terrible head.
"Fire towards" he gasped
shot and Brown Cesar lay dead.
Janet, who in sleep had heard the noise and con-
fnsou. walked at the shot. Starting ont of bed she
listened w nat ulu III IHcdH lHIONuB VI
shawl she rushed to the hall On the floor in a pool
of blood lay an immense dog while with bleeding
hands and throat, with agonized face bending over
something white knelt her master. AT that mo-
luent like a blast from furnace. there came to HIM
the memory of that curse BY his own blood should
he taste despair. Taste It! He was draining 1t to
Janet caleI nj HiltOn's face in alright "What
was it ar What made the master look sac
strangeH, Then she the white body IN his
arms and rushed toward him. My BARN, oh my
BARN she sObbed. not noticing that the ball was
full of men, seeing only Mary and her bleeding
shoulder She caught the limp white hand and felt
for the pulse. and walled She's dead she's dead
She had no care for Hilton now. What mattered
70 her hi, commands OF vi shes She had lost the
only thing she had ever loved, and tears poured
down the hard face.
flush your screeching Don't Won see she has
only tainted p HltonS voice Was very hoarse. hls
lips were trembling He could hardly speak.
Roughly he pushed Janet away for the old
woman had striven to take the girl Move aside
lie cried roughly, and then as tenderly ~ mother
with her sicA babe placed lis daughter on her bed
bludaged the wound 20 stop ITO bleeding bathed her
brow and moistened her lips. For an instant he
hung over her. listening 10 her family coming
breath. and then regardless OF his own torn hands
ana wounded throat, Went ont into the hall
to the waiting guards. with a heavy frown
lie walked VI 70 the one VINO mad dared suggest
that IN this house the convict was hidden.
Come" he said between set teeth, "yOu who
ar the cause OF this: come search the house"
In vain the man protested; NO, no., he said,
"Satl,hedm Hilton started az if he would spring
n his throat. but restrained himself. " Dye hear
meY Gomez and he grasped the mans wrist
dragging hun 10 tine door OF Marys chamber White
and 4 III lay the girl At her side SAT- the weeping
ANXIOUS Janet. Surely there was nothing there but
v hat do You SEE r. asked Hilton. shaking with
fury Ills words sounded like threat his face was
distorted by rage. but he said nothing more and
stood awaiting the guards answer.
" IL see nothing, stdmmered the man, trying to
release uls arm.
INFO every room Of the ttle house, opening each
closet forcing hun 70 look into each corner Hilton
dragged the guard. out INTO the garden torn by the
dogs claws they went: no other tracks were
visible. Yet down near the earth hliton pushed the
mans head Then once iAoie Ut the door LIE
stopped. ,,. g, no..-oon.a
"N0thng." answered the man.
NotnlugV With bitter laugh Hilton held the
nan close 10 him he Missed in his face: II she
dies IN tear YOU limb from lImbV and then threw
nm back SO violently tuat he Tell 20 the ground
WITHOUT looking AT the fallen man he strode into
the house. Back ~ the camp he said 10 tire men
whispering II the hall =" The damned Niger las
~ capped"
clad to get away. the guards united the dogs
fastened outside the gate and mounting their horses
returned whence they came
For an instant Hilton stood in the garden looking
after their rapidly disappearing figures, then
glanced around. Disorder and confusion where
only beauty had been Jrampled even unto the
earth lay the bush OF white roses. Her flowers.
With groan Hutton went into the house and into
his daugh eT's room. Size was stirring. she would
soon be conscious.
NV darling he mnrmured, touching her brow
with his lips. Then snatching from Janet "A towel
he had brought 10 him, he bound IL around his
throat. conceallng the wound.
am going for a doctor he said hastily turning
away AT the door ne stopped, looked at Janet and
here light he whispered. and left the room.
ITO be continued