Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-07-15

sound that came
 VA to the ears of the
 S yKAAAU fugitives was
 .zNAXkHtS enough to para
 nD ~l5A lyze them, such
 A3EG jAH. GX1was it's terrible WAa AoA Tcsignifcance. / ENNnVNAA Again the long I1RAC CW~M drawn bay was E1N IKZ!I to their X.sXjlz5sS.::.4H ears, and, though but dozen sec- onds had passed, they understood that it came from point much nearer than be- fore.
 There was no time to lose. The pursuers, led by the dogs, wero fast overtaking them, and ere long the expected climax would como to pass. 'Come," said Jack. hastily. "let us fly. The doctor himself must be with those who are in the rear, and should they come up with us, they would just as soon let the brutes attack us. Can you run, Nora"
 She showed him that she could, but the thickets barred their progress con- siderably. They had the satisfaction of knowing, however, that their pursuers were no better of, for they could hear the impatient noises given vent to by the hounds as they struggled in leash. Jack still had his arm around his oom- panion, but had long since replaced the l revolver, as he needed his good right hand to assist him in his passage | through the thickets, and, besides, he would probably have plenty of warning l ere the pursuers came upon them. They had the satisfaction of knowing | that all the while they were drawing | nearer to their point of safety, and that | If the pursuant took no uvslier turn, and they were able to keep at their present pace, all would be well. The country seemed to grow still wilder, but Jack knew he was going in the proper direction, for now and then they could catch glimpse of the silvery surface of the river beyond the hanging moss and masses of Virginia creepers l that lay between 1t and them. Things were working nicely, and in l their favor, too, so that Jack had no req l son to complain; but he suspected that it was too good to last, and awaited with each passing minute for some change in the program. It came.
 All at once the hounds took up new l cry, and no longer gave vent to the long, drawn bay, but this had been supplanted | by short, eager barks of fierce satisfac- tion.
 Jacks face turned trifle pale, and he 1 shut his teeth hard together. but his eyes flashed, and his frame seemed l to become firm as rock. Either the hounds had been suffered to l go free, or else they had slipped the leash; 1 at any rate, they were untrammeled by masters, and were racing along after tho ] fugitives, rapidly coming up with them. He had had much experience with 1 blood-hounds in the South. and knew l there was but one remedy for 1t. ] Perhaps, after all, 1t would be for the best, for, the hounds once out of the way, their pursuers would have no means of 1 finding out where they had gone, not being skilled in following 0 trail yet it l was far from pleasant task the young man had before him.
 l Nora speedily comprehended the truth, for she saw that something had occurred l to give her lover a start, and soon recog- l nized the difference in the sounds back 1 of them.
 Still she was brave, and uttered no word of fear, only striving to increase her pace to the utmost. | Nearer and nearer came the dread sounds, and 1t was evident that the hounds, knowing they were fast overtak- ing the fugitives, were anxious for the carnival of blood.
 It could only be delayed few moments more, and then all would be over.
 What would be the end?
 Nora shuddered as the thought came to her, for she knew the peril would fall upon Jack alone. Oh, If she were only armed, she would stand at his side and meet the assault bravely with him, but she had not weapon of any sort.
 All depended upon his revolver.
 Carefully Jack looked at the weapon to see that 1t was in proper order.
 At last the ferocious hounds were so near that their sharp barks seemed to fill the wood full of echoes, and Jack could even hear them dashing through the underbrush.
 The time for action had come.
 Quickly he put Nora among the lower branches of tree and took up his sta tion beside it. Not second too soon was this done, for out from the bushes sprang an enormous dun-colored hound.
 The beast crouched at sight of him and uttered low, terribly fierce growl. Even in the moonlight it could be seen that the hound was ferocious brute, black about the muzzle. and with two rows of sug- gestive whito teeth showing behind as he curled his lips.
 His blazing eyes were fastened upon Jack, and 1t was evident that, like 8 panther, he was crouching in order to make fatal leap.
 Knowing the nature of the brute so well, the young man was well aware of the fact that the time for action had
 some, and that if he delayed now, ell 1 might indeed be lost.
 l To be continued. wv inc Room | 1T. F. Kelly, PrOprietor. | 80 Bank Street, Waterbury, Conn. Recently .refitted throughout, Fine Liquors