Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1893-08-17
MechaDcstwn Frederick County, Maryland Thursday August H. 893
At His MERCY.

It was almost dark, and the Walham
river is much overhung in the parts
that lie between Horrabridge and the
old brick works.
In the bed of the river man STUN
bled heavily along, trusting more to his
knowledge Of the river than to his eye
sight. He was fishing dextrously with
flies that we're almost white-nies which
seemed to suit admirably the taste of
those small brown trout which never
have the sense to leaye alone the fare
provided for their larger white breth-
rem.
Suddenly he hooked larger fish,
and not daring to step back beneath the
oyerhanglng oak he proceeded to tire
his fish out IN the deep water. In lC
minutes he brought it to the landing
net, and as he turned to open his crecl
his heart leaped In his breast. A man
was standing in the water not two feet
behind him.
Hello ! he gasped.
I won't insult you by telling yol not
to be frightened, said the voice of a
gentleman. There was no mistaking it.
The speaker stood quite still with the
water bubbling around his legs. He
was hatless and his hair was cut quite
short.
A thought flashed across the fisher
mans slow brain. Like the rest Of his
craft he was slower of mind than of
hand.
Yes said the other, dividing his
thoughts, I'm from Dartmoore. You
probably heard Of my escape two days
ago
Yes replied the other quietly, while
he wound up his line, | heard of it,
And where do they cay | am
oh, the police have got clue, as
usual replied the fisherman.
The escaped convict laughed bitterly
but the laugh broke off into sicken-
ing cackle.
I've been in those brick works. he
said, all the time meditating murder.
I stole loaf from baker $ cart, but a
man cannot live by bread alone-ah
Ha, ha.
The fshermsn held out his flask
which the othe. took and opened the
somewhat uncommon silver top with
ease bred of knowledge.
He poured himself out a full glass
and drank it off.
I haven had that taste in my mouth
for four years, he SAID, returning the
flask, and you are guilty of felony
The fisherman probably knew this
for he merely laughed.
The question is SAID the convict af
ter pause, during which they wade1
back to the bank, whether you are 60
ing to help me or not ? lieayens | near.
ly killed you while you were playing
that fish.
'Ya-as drawlcd the fisherman, \
take it that you must have been tempt
ed. never heard you, owing to the noise
of the water
They were both big men and the con
vict stared curiously INTO the long, clean
shaven face of this calm speaker. A
smile actually flckered for a moment
in his desperate eyes.
What l want, he said, is your mack.
intosh, your waders and your hat-alsc
your red case with Il long stick IN It,
The handle of your landing act will do
Where do you come from {?
plymouth. l am going back on the
7.3O from the Horrabridge.'
With II return ticket?
Yes
i should like that ALSO
The fisherman was slowly disjolntlne
his rod.
Suppose l told you to come and take
en-, he SAID with drawl again.
The convict looked him up and down
with certain air OF competent criti
clsm.
Then there would be very pretty
fight he said with laugh which he
checked when he detectet the savor OF
the prison yard that was in it.
We hayen't time for fight, said the
fisherman.
And there came hot gasp of excite.
ment from the convlct's lips. His stake
was a very large one.
In the same slow, rehe ctlve manner
the fisherman unbuttoned the straps o
his waders at the thigh and sat down tc
unlacc his brogues.
Here, pub 'em off for me- he SAID
He held up his leg and the convic
pulled off his wet fishing stockings.