The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-01-20


Nevertheless, although word or an outcry
from him would have at that moment
brought the distant group TO his assistance,
certain respect to himself and his brother
kept him from utterjng even a whimper Of
weakness.
Yet he found refuge, oddly enough, in a
suppressed but bitter denunciation of the
other boys of his acquaintance. What was
Cal Harrison doing, while he, Johnny, was
alone in the woods, wounded in a grown-up
duelf-for nothing would convince this
doughty infant that be had not been an &C
tive participant. Where was Jenny Sny-
der that he didn't come to his assistance
with the other fellers. towards all; they
were afraid. Ho, hol And he,
Johnny, wasn't afraid! ho-he didn't mind
It'll Nevertheless, be had to repeat the
phrase two or three times until, after re-
peated struggles to move forward through
the brush, he at last sank down exhausted.
By this time the distant group had slowly
moved away, carrying something between
them, and leaving Johnny alone in the fast
coming darkness. Yet even this desertion
did not affect him as strongly as his i'm
plicit belief in the cowardly treachery of
his old associates
1t grew darker and darker, until the open
theater Of the late conflict appeared en-
closed in funeral walls; a cool searching
breath of air that seemed to have crept
through the backen and underground like
a stealthy animal, lifted the curls on his hot
foreheard. He grasped his Ratchet firmly
as against possible wild beasts, and as a
medicinal and remedial precaution, took
another turn with his suspender around his
bandage. 1t occurred to him then that he
would probably die They would all feel
exceedingly sorry and alarmed, and regret
having made hin wash himself on Satur-
day night. They would attend his funeral
in large numbers in the little graveyard
where white tombstone incribed to John
Filgee fell in duel at tie age of Z" would
be awaiting him. He would forgive his
brother, his father and Or. Ford Yet even
then he vaguely resented few leaves and
twigs dropped by wo 5dpecker in the tree
above him, with shake Of his weak fist and
an incoherent declaration that they
couldn't play no babes in the wood on
him" And then having cJmposed himself
he once more turned on mis- side to die, as
became the scion Of heroic racel TIE free
woods. touched by an upspringing wind,
waved their dark arms above him, and
higher vet & few patient stars silently
ranged themselves around his pill w.
But with the rising wind and stars came
the swift trampling Of horses hoofs and the
flashing Of lanterns and Or. Duchesne and
the master swept down into the opening.
1T was here" said the master, quickly,
but they must have taken him on to his
own home. Let us follow"
Hold on a moment said the doctor,
who had halted before the tree. Whats
all this: Why, it's baby Filgee-by thun-
der.n
In another moment they had both dis
mounted and were leaning over the half
conscious child.
Johnny turned his feverishly bright ewes
from the lantern to the master and back
again u-
ter, tenderly. Were you lost!"
With a CLEAN of feverish exaltation,
Johnny rose, albeit wanderingly, to the oc-
caSiou!
"Hitm he lisped, feebly, chit in doell at
the age Of Uneven"
What" asked the bewildered master
But DR.. Duchesne, after a single swift
scrutiny OF the boys face, had unearthed
him from his nest of leaves, laid him in his
lap, and deity ripped away the preposter-
Gus bandage.
Hold the light here. By Jove! he tells
the truth. Who did it, Johnny?n
But Johnny was silent. In an interval of
foverish consciousness and pain, his percep-
ton and memory had been quickened; a
suspicion of the real cause Of his disaster
had dawned upon him-but his childish lips
were heroically sealed The master glanced
appealingiy at the doctor.
TAKE him before you IN the saddle to
McKinstry's," said the lat4er, promptly. 81
can attend to both"
The master lifted the boy tenderly in his
arms.
Johnny stimulated by the prospect of a
free ride, became feebly interested in his fell
low sufferer:
Did Theth hit him badY' he asked.
"SethE" echoed the master, wildly.
"Yeth. theed him when he took aim"
The master did not reply, but the next
moment Johnny felt himself clasped in his
arms in the saddle before him, borne like
a whirlwind in the direction OF the Nc
Kinstry ranch.