The St. Johns herald., 1889-09-12

teeth, in his present defenseless condi- tion he was helpless. Supplied with but carbine, some of his pursuers would have doubtless have felt his vengeance before this; but, without even so much as a knife, however small, he had no choice but stealthy, speedy flight.
 Was kind fortune about to smile upon him once more? Here, within his reach, almost, and to be had for the mere taking, was a substantial-look- ing shotgun, just the weapon that he wanted. Possibly he would have to commit another murder to secure the coveted arm, but that was matter of small moment. On second thought, it would be far the safest plan to kill the boy and quiet his tongue. Yes; that was the proper course to pursue.
 Cautiously he rose to his feet, his right hand clutching heavy fragment of granite. All unconscious of his peril, Bruce sat-half-asleep and half awake-quite tired of watching for a squirrel that never appeared, but yet in no particular hurry t) journey homeward.
 No thought of Caddo B i'll had crossed the boy mind since leaving home that morning. Like his father, Bruce had thought it hardly probable that the murderer would appear so far to the northward. in case he had CSC aped re- capture.
 At all events, the redskin would have no possible reason for molesting a mere boy like himself. So had req soned the inexperienced lad. lulling his fears to rest by line of argument, seemingly quite sound, but, in reality, false and misleading.
 Silently as a panther stealing upon his prey. and relentlessly as death it. self, Caddo Bill crept nearer and nearer
 Barely twenty feet separated the murderer and his victim. The h. dian's face was drawn in a grimace of fearful vindictiveness. His arm was drawn back for the deadly blow-his muscles contracted for the final spring.
 Suddenly there was rustic of shrub bery, and the rush of flying feet, and some heavy object was hurled against the crouching Indian from the rear, dashing him forward almost upon the now thoroughly-aroused Bruce. The missing calf had suddenly appeared upon the scene-exactlY on time-not a moment too early or too late.
 How long Tom had been an inter it is, of course, impossible to state. Evidently, however, the Haunting rags of the fugitive's scarlet shirt had been construed as premeditated challenge, which could not be tamely overlooked without doing violence to all the tradi- tions of the fighting Herefords, and the young champions onslaught was sud- den and irresistible.
 Caddo Bills surprise was complete, and his discontinue was increased by the fact that he was, for an instant, unable to comprehend the exact iden- tity of his new assailant. and the mo- mentary delay allowed Bruce time to thoroughly digest the danger of the situation. And. therefore, when the murderer staggered to his feet, intent on the further prosecution of the vil- lainous scheme, young Webster, with out an instant's reflection, discharged both barrels of his gun in his assail- ants face, and dropping the now use less weapon, fled from the spot, with out thought of noting the effect of his shots.
 Ten minutes later, terror-stricken and out of breath, Bruce dashed into the little dining-room at the ranch, where half a dozen strangers were gathered about the table - soldiers from Griffin, who, by the aid of blood hounds, had trailed their late prisoner thus far on his way to liberty.
 Hur iedly the boy told his story, and in an inconceivab!y short space of time found himself seated on a fiery cavalry horse, behind the Lieutenant in con- mand of the squad, guiding them 10 the scene of his late encounter.
 Caddo Bill was found without diff culty. not dead, as Bruce had begun to fear, but so badly disabled by hand full of bird shot, in the muscles of his shoulder, that his capture was easily effected.
 The belligerent calf, Tom, was also found on the field of battle contentedly cropping the scattering herbage and looking as harmless and insignificant as it was possible for fat, well-grown calf to appear. He evinced no disin- clination to return to the ranch, but trotted contentedly along in advance of the party, the object of general ad- miration from all; and Bruce observed, without a pang of jealousy, that in discussing the particulars of the late ''scrimmage." the soldiers accorded to Tom the most of the credit for the
 Al Ll.