Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-03-25
HHe shall have no hurt, upon the roodl
Stand! Back cut, Hugh Ferryman."
nick cried a tAuntinp answer

oHe shall have no hurt, upon the rood
Stand! Back cut, Hugh Ferryman."
Dick cried haunting answer.
"Nay, then, ye shall go afoot," re-
turned the man, and he let drive an ar
row.
The horse, struck by the shaft, dashed
out in sgoDy and terror; the bost cap
sized, and the next moment all were
struggling 10 the eddles OF the river.
When Dick came no he was within
ysrd OF the bank, and before mis- eyes
we're clear his hand hsd closed on some
thing firm and strong that instantly be-
gan to drag him forward. Il WAS the rid
ing rod that Matchsm, crawling forth upon
an soverhangiHg willow, had OPPORTUNITY
thrust into his grasp.
"By the mass!" cried Dick, IS he WAS
helped ashore, "thst makes life l owe
YOU. Come, Jack, run for it,"
And, adding example to his words, he
began to run, dodging among the will
lows, and in marshy places leAping from
tussock to tussock. Presently the
ground began 10 rise, which showed him
he was still in the right way, ard soon
after they came forth upon a slope OF
solid turf, where elms began to mingle
with the willows. But here Matchsm,
who had been dragging far into the rear,
threw himself fairly down.
"Lesve me, Dick" he cried, psRtingly;
"I can no more"
Dick turned ana came back to where
his companion lay.
mNay, Jack, leave thee !" he cried.
"That were kuave's trick, to be sure,
when We risked shot and ducking, az,
and drowning, too, to save my life.
Drowning, in sooth, for why | did not
pull you in along with me the saints
alone can tell"
"N4y," said M,tcham, al would
'a'saved US both, good Dick, for Can
SWIM"
"Csu ye sol" cried Dick, with open
ewes. 1t was the one manly accomplish
ment of which he was himself incapable.
In the order of the things that he admired
next to having killed man in single fight
came swimming. "WeU," be said, "here
is q lesson to despise no man But,
prithee fetch back you breath, and let US
be on. Here is no place for chatter"
"My foot hurts shrewdly," said Mat
chsp.
"Say, 1 had forgotten your foot" re-
tur.Sssd Dick. "WelI, we must go the
gentlier. Come, Dick, lean ye on my
shoulder, ye poor shrew. Nay, y'are not
tall enough. Whist sge are ye, for vs.
gel? Twelve7
"Nsy, l am sixteen" said Mstchsm.
"Y'are poorly grown to height, then,"
answered Dick. "But take my hand"
They began to 20 forward up the slope.
ave must hit the road, early or late"
continued Dick, "and then for fresh
start. By the mass but y ave rickety
hand, Jack, tell you," he went on, with
8 sudden chuckle, "I swear by the mass
believe Hugh Ferryman took you for 8
msid"H
"Nay, never" cried the other, coloring
high.
"A' did, though, for wager" Dick
exclaimed. "Small blame to him. You
look liker maid than man; and tell you
more-y'are q strange looking rogue for
boy; but for hussy, Jack, ye would De
right fsir-ye would. Ye would be well
favored for weDch."
"Well," said Matcham, Eye know right
well that am none"
"Nay, 1 know that; do but JEST" said
Dick. "Ye'l be 6 m3n before your
mother, Jack"
"Pritnee, Dick, stop till 1 drink" said
the other, psusing where a little clear
spring welled out OF the slope into 8
graVelled basin no bigger than 8 pocket.
"Aud o, Dick, if l might come by any
thing to eat! my very heart aches with
hunger"
"Why, fool, did ye not eat at Kettlty ?"
asked Dick.
81 ad INSIDE 8 vow-it was sin had
been led iuto," stammered Matchsm; but
now, if il were but dry bread, would eat
it greedil7."
"Sit ye, then. and eat" sale Dick,
"Rhile that scout q little forward for
the road" And he took wallet from
his girdle wherein were bread and pieces
of dried bacon.