The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-05-09
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 ing tour in the West coantry, and found myself one September afternoon on Dart. moor. few miles from Princes Town. | had been strolling la1ily about for some fine, when suddenly came upon bit of moorland, which decided it was im- peratively my duty to transfer to canvas, SO | sat down on messy boslder, and was soon diligently at wosk, and ab- sorbed in the task of trying to represent the lovely autumnal tints on stream, rock and heather. Intent on my picture, 1; took no note of time, tilt suddenly per ceivcd the shadow getting ominously long: and consulting my watch, found it was past five o'clock, and that, unless made speedy start, should hardly reach Princes Town before nightfall; so hastily packed up my traps, deciding that l would come and finish the sketch on the following day. was just lighting my pipe, preparatory 10 starting, when ! fancied that l saw something move be- hind large rock a few yards away. and heard what sounded very like smoth- cred cough. was bit startled, as, save the birds, no living thing had been near me for hours bu. thought would see what it was, so walked up to the spot, and, pushing aside the high bracken, was going to examine the place, when sud- denly figure rose up and confronted me. l am not a nervous man, but must con- fess got start as saw before me a man clothed in convict garb, bare headed, wild, and disheyelled. Even in in my first alarm, remember noticed the number 4o2 on his clothes, and don't fancy shall ever forget that num- Der. grasped my stick firmly, and thought to myself that was, so to speak, in a very nice little fix. Convicts are not pleasant neighbors at any time; but a keke-a-kefe with an escaped convict on a lonely moor, miles from any house, is de- cidedly an interview not to be desired. However, my fears speedily subsided, for my convict did not seem at all disposed to make himself fdisagreeable, but merely stood looking at me, trembling in every limb, and from time to time coughing in a way that shook his wasted frame all over. Poor chap he was piteous spec tacle-his cneeks all sunk and hollow, and with his prison dress just hanging about him, he looked like living skele- ton.
 The situation was awkward to me. As law-abiding citizen, 1 felt that it was my duty to take some means of restoring him to the establishment at Princes Town, which he had evidently quilted without leave while, as an ordinary human be- ing, felt the sincerest pity for the hag- gard fellow who stood there, gazing at me with hollow, feverish eyes. However, the contest between duty and compassion was speedily put an end to by No. 4o2 himself for, after more than usually racking cough, his legs gave way un&er him and he rolled down among the bracken. Duty fled; compassion won the day. lwept and picked him up, and propped him with his back against a rock, where he gasped and choked till really thought he would die then and there. In minute or two, however, he revived, and .in very faint and feeble voice said: "l'm nigh starved, guv'nor guess it's about up with me-"
 Iwent back to get some sandwiches out of my case. and offered them to him; he seized them eagerly, and began to eat them ravenously but again terrible fit of coughing came on, and he sank back, saying: "It ain't no use; can't eat now; s'pose I'm gone too far"
 Here was a pleasant position. The man was evidently in the last stage of ex- haustion and even my unpr acticed eye could see that No 4o2 had his days, or even hours, numbered. moistened his lips with some brandy out of my flask, and saw, to my satisfaction, that this produced decided improvement. But what in the world l should do next perplexed me sorely, so repeated the dose of brandy, and took counsel with myself as to the next move.
 Under the influence of the brandy, my patient propped himself up again, and with great difficulty told me how he had escaped from the convict prison three days before, and had wandered over the moor, till want of food and exposure had ito use his own words-"spoilt his game" and he was going back to prison to give himself up. Seeing me sketch ing, and feeling his strength almost gone, he had decided to come and surrender himself to me but when he got near. the poor fellows courage failed him, and he had craw led away behind the, rock where had discovered him. >
 sit ain't no use my trying to get away, guv'nor," said he, sadly; "rm that weak can't walk step. l couldn't escape now, not if carriage-and-four was wait ing for me. I'd want a nuss to lift me up into it. Guess I'll die in quod after all"
 did not think he would die in quod but l kept my thoughts to myself, for l felt sure that before the prissn could be reached, No. 4o7 would be far enough away, and it would only be suit of con- vict clothes or a wasted skeleton that would enter the gloomy gate.
 "Lock here, my poor chap" said I. "You can't stop here; you must let me carry you as well as can, and must try and get you back to the prison." felt rather mean as l said this, for did pity him heartily. knew nothing about his crimes He might have been the greatest villain yet felt for him, having just tasted liberty, and having to go back CAsl