The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1889-05-30

o rendered futile all attempt ai further trail
D. inss. and the mosi persuasive and persis
. tent ealing failed 10 elicit any responsis'
. blest from the little runaway.
- For a mile further. Bruce wanderes
down The little valley. shooting. nov ant
q then. greeu crested duck. or ose Of ID,
e numerous gray squirrels that bsrked and
chstied At him from the limbs above hi,
y bead; but. search as be would. no further
q trace Of the lost Tom could be discovered,
i Puzzled and disheartened. the lad hnsl
b ly inrped back. resolving to mount hi'
. posy after dinner. and se.rch cut the en-
) tire country for radius OF three Of iour
!. miles
. Crossing the stream, he hunted back
e along the sou,h bank. hardly expectiog 10
i discover the obiec, OF his search. bat add.
ing occasionally to his string Of game.
9 Presently bis attention was attracted by
! sn unusually demonstrative squirrel who
Was saucily bidding him defiance from his
perch on the limb OF 70 large hollow oak
. The shotgun was brought to the boys
shoulder. but. as II sware Of bis danger.
the threstened animal lodged out Of sight
|. In convenient orifce in the tree srunk.
Hello, ycu are sharp little fellow, |
see muitered our young hunter. Never
, mind. thought You can't stay 10 that hols
forever; and the next time you show up
You'll never know what hurts you
A fallen tree near by offered comfort
able seat. and Bruce assumed IN easy
position, with his back against the moss
covered stump; and resting the quo across
his knees. awaited the resppesrsnce OF the
beleagured squirrel.
Minutes passed. but nothing more was
seen OF the sharp. ratlike ears and beady
eyes. although Bruce's vigilance never re-
laxed.
Hall way down. mass OF SCARLET and
yellow ivy leaves bid second opening in
the tree trunk, and hero. unnoticed by the
lad. the cunning squirrel watched his
every motion, with not the slightest inten.
tion Of exposing himself further.
Another pair OF eyes were riveted on
the unsuspicious boy-a pair OF snaky, |
black orbs that cleaned dangerously near.
10 clump OF verdant foliage; for, by some
unlucky chance. the route to safety selected |
by Caddo Bill. the red fugitive from jus
tice, had lain through this quiet valley,
after all, and the escaped murderer was
now crouched, like . tiger gathering for
spring, not twenty PAGES from the unsus
pecting Bruce.
II Caddo Bill had fanced his safety as
sured upon successfully lodging his guard
and climbing the stocksde 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 pur
extraordinarily on the move-gliding
from covert to covert-now hid in a
clump OF thorny cacti--again threading
the winding bed OF some narrow arroyo.
or gliding like snake through the tall
prairie grass. Exhausted by his continu
ous exertions, and weak from the ravsges
OF hunger that be lacked the wherewithal G
to appease, his moccasions worn TO shreds
and the red shirt and cavalry pants, that I
he wore at the time OF his escape, now
torn to fragments by the envious brers |
the fugitive really presented pitiable ap- /
pearance. ,
But worn and weary. as he was the evil.
murderous instinct was still dominant 10 q
bis breast, and his eyes glinted ominous O
ly, as he watched tho boyish form care b
lessly reclining so close to his own hiding a
place. q
Was there ever such good luck The v
greatest cause OF uneasiness to Caddo Bill
had been the fact that be had been forced
to begin his flight totally unsrmed; for, y
although renowned for his reckless brav
cry when armed to the teeth. in his de
fenceess condition he was helpless Sup.
piled with q carbine, some OF his pursuers
would have doubtlessly felt his vengeance u
before this. hut without even as much as
, knife, however small he had no choice
but stealtby. speedy flight.
Was kind fortune about TO smile upon
him once more? Here, within his reach.
Almost, and to be had for the mere tax :. -
ng, WAS a substantial. looking shotgun =
ust the weapon that he wanted. Possibly = =
,e would have to commit another murder
o secure the coveted afE. bnt that was q
natter Of but small moment. On second
hought,it would be far the safest plan TO :.
ill the boy and quiet his tongue. Yes,
hat was the proper course TO pursue, :.
Cautiously he rose TO his feet, his right =
and clutching heavy fragment Of gran >.
le. All unconscious Of bis peril. Bruce ~
at - half asleep and half awake quite
Ired Of watching for squirrel that new ~ ~
. appeared. but yet 10 no particular bur. -
? 10 journey homewsrd.
No thought OF Csddo Bill had crossed
be boys mind since leaving home that
lorning. Like bis father, Bruce had Cd
nought 1t hardly probable that the mur. th
erer would attempt so far TO the north- M
ard 10 case he had escaped recapture. go
Silently as panther stealing upon its co
rey. and relenilessiy ss death itself. Cad ce
O Bill orept nearer and nearer th
Barely twenty feet separated the mur DO
erer aud his victim. The lDdians face I'm
as drawn in a grim.ce Of fearful vindie- on
yeness HIS arm was drawn back for di'
,e deadly blow-his muscles contracted ey
" the faal spring. I'M
su3drnly there was rustic Of shrub Co
ery, aud the rush OF flying feet. and some tic
eayy obi~ct was hurled against the ed
.,.,..t L., Iaafau from the rear dashinu fr