San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-10-12
THROUGH DANGER;
% R
LIFE IN AUSTRALIA.
The other gave a short laugh.


IL reckon did a worse when | cut
and run from the convict settlement"
he rejoined. "A chap learns lot, and
grows nimble when he's fighting for life
and liberty. You wait here till ] come
back" And, seizing the tough stem of
bush, he swung himself into the "a
vine. which he began swiftly to descend.
Herbert Archer watched him anX-
iOusly, and when he had disappeared
waited as anXiOusly for his return.
1t was not long before he did so, and
threw himself painting on the ledge.
"Well?"
Its all right. He's done for" re-
piled Mat Greeve.
you saw him?"
mo; because the rivers got him.
He's tumbled flop in, and what my bull
let began the waters finished"
Are you surey
"Surel Certain. Do you think man
could tumble down this here place with
a bullet in him, and get up and quietly
walk away? Besides, there's proof. His
hat was bObbing about the stones"
His hat! Where is it,"
"Where? In the water, a course
You don't think | was such an idiot as
to fish it out?" calculated Mat Greeve,
contemptuOusly. II amt anxious for
the property of man with bullet in
in him to be found in my possession"
True, l forgot. If it's found it will
be thought the fellow tumbled in and
was drowned"
IF they don't find the body, which
might alter their opinion, was the cool
remark.
I'm any case l don't see how we are
to be suspected"
mot you. | might; but l don't see
how they could prove it. The bullet
wouldn't fit my pea-shOOter, and" as
Herbert Archer started, then turned
fiercely, lit would never be suspected
that I'd used yours. It's my advice now
that we make tracks for home"
"Yes. We must not be seen near
this spot But about Philip BathurSt?"
without this alters his plans he sets
out for the bush in three days. It's my
opinion that you'd better attempt moth
ing until he's off. And if you attempt
1t on him, a man killed more or less out
here amt taken into much account"
II agree with you and will wait. We
had better not leave here together. So
goodnight"
He moved some PAGES, then half
turning, asked:
"By the way, if you are suspected for
this, what will you do?"
stake again to the bush,n laughed
Mat Greeve, coolly. where, course,
you'll keep me until / can do it for my
self.
''Don't fear. Be cautious, and I'll not
desert YOU"
"I'd Just like to see you do it." grim
ned Mat Greeve to himself, as he watch
ed the other hasten along the ledge.
Five minutes after this Mat followed,
returned to the station, and joined the
rest.
Herbert Archer found it difficult to
sleep that night, from the sound of the
whirl and rumbling of waters, rushing
over drowned man.
Mat Greeve slept like top.
Not until the following morning, was
Mark HlltOn'S absence remarked. Then,
not until the mems breakfast hour, his
non-appearance at which, however, did
not occasion much surprise. He had
gone early to bed, and probably had
risen early and strolled out.
But when hour after hour went by,
and no Mark, the intelligence of his
disappearance was communicated to
the colonel, and finally to Philip Bath
urst, whose anxiety was instantly
aroused. Had he strolled into the bush
and lost himself?
Had he fallen into the clutches of
bush-rangers, or some evil-disposed alb
Origines2
Mark had already become favorite,
and search parties were eagerly formed.
All through the day the bush rang with
the peculiar Australian cry, "cO-hee,"
but no answer came. Night fell, and
the parties returned dispirited, unsuc-
cessful, and Philip was in despair, for
the strongest affection had subsisted
between him and his foster-brother.
Even Flo's sympathy failed to console
him, and but for the cOlonePs reason
ing he would not have let even dark
ness interrupt the search.
At early dawn, after sleepless night,
it was resumed. and before noon a clue
was discovered. The missing mans
hat was found in the river, and on one
of the boulders in its bed drops of
blood. On further search it was ascer-
tanned that a portion of the overhang-
ing ledge had given way, and that some
heavy body had fallen through the
bushes lining the side of the rayine.
Even to Philip Bathurst Marks fate
seemed now plain. lie had evidently
been strolling near. had come too close