The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-05-09
more freouenk We had gore. | sup-

more frequent We had gone, sup- pose, about three miles, when began to teel that 1t was quite impossible fog me to accomplish the remaining distance, as it was 90 dark that stumbled painfully over the rough path, and at each stumble my burden groaned with pain, and coughed so dismally, that felt my we'll meant endeavors were only putting him to complete torture; SO stopped, laid him down on the grass, and told him that we would not try to go on Hnsil the moon rose. "An right, guv'nor," said he. feehly, and fell back fainting; SO ad- ministered the last lev drops of brandy had left, covered him up as well as could with my coat propped his head upon my sketl lhing-case, sat down by his side, and wondered whAt would be the end of my adventure.
 l looked at my watch and saw that it was nine o'clock. The moon, l knew, would not rise till nearly midnight, so we had three hours to wait. think those three hours were the longest ever passed in my life. The silence and the loneli. ness of the moor were terrible, and No. 4oz lay with his eyes closed, and, save for an occasional groan, might have been dead. Once or twice he tried to speak, but apparently it was beyond his powers, and he fell back again exhausted. Once he put out his hand, caught mine, and, to my great surprise, carried it to his lips and kissed it. l am not much used to having my hand kissed at any time, and should probably, under any circum- stances, feel the situation embarrassing ! k.>R A- EsrpAA krso Ix,.A sNt out on Dartmoor, in the middle of the night, was novel experience.
 did not mean to hurt the feelings oi No. 4o2 but drew it away somewhat hastily and then, seeing his lips move, as if he was trying to say something, bent over him to listen, and in voice little more than whisper he said: "Beg your pardon, sir; but you've been pre- cious kind to me, and feels weak and silly didn't mean no offense."
 hastened with some compunction to assure him that was not offended; and again he closed his eyes and around us once more was silence.
 At last, to my great joy, the sky bright ened up bit; the outlines of the trees became more distinct, and the moon ap. peared over the hills, and shot flood oi silver light all over the moor. My spirits which had fallen below zero, revived con. siderably darkness has at all times a de pressing influence, and, under my peculiar circumstances, had reduced me to a most profound melancholy. felt quite glad to see the moon rise, though, beyond the fact of being able to sec where we were it did not materially assist me out of the hx l was in.
 I looked at No. 4o2 and he seemed tc be asleep. did not like to wake him so got up quietly, intending to walk to the top of hill close by. and see if could discover the lights ot Princes Town, ol any house nearer, to which might di. rect my steps. was not gene long perhaps half an hour; and when came back, found No. 4o2 with his eyes wide open. and, to my great surprise-though do not know why should have beer so surprised-tears running down hi: cheeks. Really, my ideas about copvict. were becoming quite upset; one who furtively kissed my hand, and who wept was, thought, indeed an anomaly. bent over him and asked if he was iu worse pain, or what was the matter Poor fellow! he lifted his wasted hand drew it across his eyes, and said "No l ain't in no pain now, sir; but l woke from bit of doze and saw that yot was gone; and thought as how you hao left me; and somehow felt lonesome and afeared ;" and then a great sob shool him.
 | l assured him that was not going te leave him, and he appeared comforted ThMw affav eaid CT atntf as has been much afeared in my time, sir seems all of a tremble; and it looks awiu dark ahead of me, and be so weak don't seem able to face it nohow."
 l longed truly to be able to help him, and wished it with all my heart that could do it better; but feeling rathe, ashamed, l tried to tell No. 4o2 some. thing about strong Hand which will help in tde dark valley, and One who will be near us when of ourselves, as he said: I've don't seem able to face it no. how" He listened attentively and ther closed his eyes, murmuring something ceuld not catch.
 After a pause, asked him if he would try to go on again. "All right, guv'nos yoe knoWs best" was his answer, bu, very faint and feeble.
 Well, picked him up again, and of started. By this time the moon was high up, so we progressed good deal faster than before, and had traversed consid erable distance before had to stop and put my burden down. Even then, could have gone bit further, but No 4o2 whispered: Stop, sir, now; it ain'i no use shan't get no further"
 laid him down, and saw at a glance that oar journey together was about to end. In the moonlight he looked ghastly and wan and as laid him down, vio- lent it of coughing came on, and after il red stream flowed from his mouth Poor fellow thought and yet could hardly pity him really, for to him death must have come as a true friend. He lay quiet for some time, and wiped the blood from his lips tI en ust as the frs,