Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-05-30

A fallen tree near by offered a com
Portable seat, and Bruce assumed an
easy position, with his back against the
moss-covered stump; and resting the
gun across his knees, awaited the re
appearance of the beleagnred squirrel.
Minutes passed, but nothing more
was seen of the sharp, rat-like ears and
beady eyes, although Bruce's vigilance
never relaxed.
Halfway down, a mass Of scarlet and
yellow ivy leaves hid second opening
in the tree trunk, and here, unnoticed
by the lad, the cunning squirrel watched
his every motion, with not the slightest
intention of exposing himself further.
Another pair of eyes were riveted on
the unsuspicious boy-a pair of snaky,
black orbs that cleaned dangerously
near, in a clump of verdant foliage; for,
by some unlucky chance, the route to
safety selected by Caddo Bill, the red
fugitive from justice, had lain through
this quiet valley, after all; and the es-
capped murderer was now crouched, like a
tiger gathering for o spring, not twenty
PAGES from the unsuspecting Bruce.
If Caddo Bill had fancied his safety
assured upon successfully lodging his
guard and climbing the stockade at
Fort Griffin, his mind must have soon
been disabused of that impression. For
more than forty eight hours he had been
followed and harassed by the numerous
parties in pursuit-continually on the
move-gliding from covert to covert
now hid in clump of thorny cacti-
again threading the winding bed of
some narrow arroyo, or gliding like a
snake through the tall prairie grass.
Exhausted by his continuous exertions,
and weak from the iavages of hunger
that he lacked the wherewithal to APP
pease, his moccasins worn to shreds, and
the red shirt and cavalry pants, that he
wore at the time of his escape, now torn
to fragments by the envious briers, the
fugitive really presented pitiable APP
pearance.
But worn and weary, as he was, the
evil, murderous instinct was still domi-
nant in his breast, and his eyes glinted
ominously, as he watched the boyish
form carelessiy reclining so close to his
own hiding place.
Was there ever such s.ood luck The
greatest cause of uneasiness to Caddo
Bill had been the fact that he had been
forced to begin his fight totally unarm-
ed; for, although renowned for his reck-
less bravery when armed to the teeth, in
his defenceless condition he was help
less. Supplied with but carbine, some
of his pursuers would have doubtlessly
felt his vengeance before this; but, with
out even as much as a knife, however
small, he had no choice but stealthy,
speedy fight.
Was kind fortune about to smile upon
him once more Here, within his reach,
almost, and to be had for the mere tax
ing, was a misunderstanding shotgun,
Just the weapon that he wanted. Pos
sibly, he would have to commit another
murder to secure the coveted arm, but
that was a matter of but 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 par
ticular hurry to journey homeward.