The National tribune., 1892-06-02
THE MONDAY MEAL.

on its darkest side in order TO avoid any POSI-
bic discovery, although it made their narrow
footway still more dangerous. Far behind
them they could see on the mountain-side q
blaze OF light, and they knew that it was sig
nal OF their escape. 1t made them push for
ward with still greater exertion, for now they
knew that the pursuit was close behind, and
that it would be only with the greatest effort
they could escape, as the Indians had probably
discovered the direction in which they were
going and would endeavor to intercept them.
As they pushed forward with renewed haste
the man in the rear suddenly slipped and fell,
carving with him his two comrades. The fall
was but slight one The little pebbles it had
started had hardly ceased rolling before two of
the men were again on their feet, picking up
their arms. Harry tried to join them, and
rose to his feet, but only to fall again.
whats the matter?" asked one of his COM
rades.
~ think I have sprained my leg some way"
he replied.
The two men assisted him to rise, but when
be was on his feet his left leg seemed to be
without life, go far as any control of the mus
Giles of it was concerned He tried to step for
ward but it dragged as if it were paralyzed.
cold sweat broke out all over him, and when
one Of the men who supported him said This
is hell" it sounded like a sentence of death.
Cant you move it at ALP" asked one OF
his comrades his voice betraying his desire to
be once more on his way toward the settle
ments. They were still standing where they
had fallen in the moonlight and one OF them
noticing it, led the way back into the shadow.
mo; I am afraid it is broken" answered the
disabled man. His voice sounded strange and
changed. He could hardly recognize it. The
dead man whom they had left lying back by
the campfire seemed very near TO him, and in
his fear and pain he wondered II the Indians
had mutilated him much.
The two men laid him down, and one, TAX
ing the disabled limb In his hand, moved it
gently back and forth, and in an instant moved
his hand far up on the thigh.
"Yes, it's broken there. You can feel the
ends of the bones" As he said it he glanced
from the face Of the wounded man into that of
his other comrade. Even in the shadow the
wounded man caught the expression on the
faces of the two men, and knew that they
were thinking how long it would be before the
Apaches would overtake them if they remained
there. Both had seated themselves by his side
in the shadow, so that if their pursuers were
near they would offer poorer target
Don't you think you can limp along with
our help?" asked one.
"No, it's no use boys could never get
through the canyon. You will have to leave
me. If l tried, they would attack US before
daybreak." As he said this he unbuckled the
belt from around his waist, with Its cleaning
row of cartridges. and handed it to one of the
men, after taking the revolver from its holster
"Well, we amt going to leave you" said one
of his comrades.
"Boys, that is nonsense" said the disabled
man. His voice was so calm and clear now
that it surprised him. lyon can do me no
good by staying, and there will be three In
stead of one to die. BY tomorrow morning,
you can be within reach of the settlements and
safe, but my time has come"
The two men looked at each other In silence.
After ell, it was but true that nothing would
be gained by their staying They had both
risen to their feet like men who had been
given anew hope.
Boys, tell Matte how 1t was and give her
what have got in town." At the mention Of
the girls name there again came into the
voice the unsteady strangeness that was there
when he first told them that he was hurt
while in the moonlight, they could see there
were tears in his eyes. For Sn instant the
wounded man was silent, and then be added ::
"You had better take my arms with you you
may need them"
As he finished speaking he cooked the re-
yolyer and placed it to his head; but before he