The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1892-08-17

sitbus -iVVii ""u o'ocp'hS-iooihy 'hVy
watched every movement. They saw
that had property enough to make
me profitable subject Cor robbery,
aud they also had an opportunity to
observe that the property consisted in
part of an instrument that could
throw bullets one after another with
wonderful rapidly, whatever might
be the accuracy of their ann.
Two railway employees were IN
charge of tho house, and iuto their
care gave my luggage. | then ex-
planned TO them that | wished to spend
the remainder of the day in the
fiat, presenting no prominent objects
by which stranger could direct his
course, should be glad to obtain the
services of one of them ns guide.
They answered that their time was
paid for by the company, aud that,
although one of them could be spared
from his post without harm, neither
felt at liberty TO leave. offered
them five dollars, ten dollars,
aud hinted at larger
sum. but could not move
either OF them. must then either go
alone or lose the opportunity to hunt
in particularly promising locality,
and pass the rest of the day aud pnrt
Of the right, till the arrival of the
next train, in wrctched hovcl, with
out any occupation whttcvcr. | de-
| cided in favor of the former course;
so buckling on my cartridge belt and
throwing my rifle over my shoulder.
lcapcd the light fence in the rear of
the house and the next moment was in
a wilderness in which, without care,
one could be hopelessly lost in a few
moments. Consulting my compass
often, and Keeping in mind the speed
with which walked, ! moved away
from the station at right angle with
the railway.
The ground was nearly covered BY
mesqutc-bushcs growing in dense
clumps, the spaces between being
carpctcd with fine, soft bullalo-grass
that gave out 10 sound under the
tread. | had travelled four or five
miles, all of the time listening eagerly
for game, when my attention was ar
rested by the breaking of a twig be-
hind me. dropped instantly behind
plant and lay perfectly still.
So quiet was the air that the boating of
my heart seemed to me to make
great noise. Looking steadily in the
direction in which had heard the
cracking, l at length saw an apparent
change of form going on In small
up,urncd stump. eighty or ninety
yards away. One side of it, which
presented a confused effect by reason
of projecting roots, seemed 10
be gradually swelling out and
becoming solid. Was ]
deceived? Surely that was human
head that was stcathily forcing itself
into view. Aud what was that long
black object, glistening just little at
the outer end, that saw gradually
working its way to a position in II
straight line with me? IL could be
nothing else than rifle. Then
heard low, sharp click. The man
before mo was plainly one of the Mex
lean Indians that l had seen at the
station. He had followed me to mur-
der aud rob mo. lie knew precisely
where lay, and waited only for me
to rise little, to send bullet spin
ming through my forehead. Fortunate
ly was better concealed than he.
My mind worked rapidly. l thought
of my pleasant home, my friends, the
thousand experiences that made life
sweet to me. remembered that
had obligations to meet, work to do.
Though mi Int have acted fooishly
in entering into so wild place alone,
my purpose was honest, | intended no
harm to anyone, | had II right TO ce
there. Must be shot down like Il
dog, by miserable savage, that he
might possess himself of the trinkcts
about my person? But could i trust
my Winchester? True, the distance
was short, but in such crisis lacked
faith in a new aud an almost untried
weapon. My eye was on the sights,
my finger on the trigger, and almost
unconsciously l pulled. A scream
IL dirty hand raised in tho air, and
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