The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-11-25
If human aid reached mean escaped
convict
CHAPTER ".

myself Fortunately the weather was SO
hot that there was no risk of catching cold.
My captor was not content until l had
stripped off even my shirt. supposed he
recognized the necessity of making his
costume complete.
Had the situation been less serious, |
should have found plenty of amusement in
his efforts to clothe himself in my cast-off
garments.
As | have remarked, the escaped convict
was broad -shouldered, and more heavily
built than l, although about the same
height. The consequence was that a con-
siderable strain was put upon my garments.
The shirt refused to meet; to adjust the
collar was out of the question. He left
the waistcoat unbuttoned; and an ominous
crack as he donned my coat testified that
an accident had happened.
When the change was complete he GER
tainly looked guy. l could not help
hoping that any one whe saw him would
at once jump to the conclusion that he had
stolen his clothing.
My hat refused to stay on his head.
He tore the lining out; but even then he
could only wear it perched uneasily at the
back of his head.
| had all the time been wondering what
he would do when he came to my boots.
His foot was of the massive type, while
mine was certainly not larger than the
average. Added to that, my fall into the
stream had made them shrink 1t was
clear to me he would never be able to get
them on. After trying once or twice, he
gave it up as bad job.
Il guess III have to stick to my own
boots after all, i" he said. 81 must change
them when get to some town"
was extremely please that it was out
Of the question for him to appropriate
mine. His heavy, elumping pair would
have still further hampered my march.
As it was | felt so excessively uncomfor-
table in the sack-like, coarse clothing in
which was forced to dress myself that |
was sufficiently miserable,
"Now, then" he said, when he had
made the best toilet possible in the circum-
stances, II think we can say good-by to
each other"
l was more than ready to do So At
that moment | was seated on the ground,
trying hard to force on my boots, which
had so shrunk that | found it a most diff
cult job.
The man watched me for moment, and
then told me to stop.
II don't think you'll be able to gel
those on" he remarked. You'd better
let me take them after ALL "
He coolly appropriated them, and tossed
them as far as he could into the bushes.
"You SET" he said, kindly deigning to
explain the motive of his action, II don't
want you to find your way home too soon
The longer you're about it, the better for
me-"
was dumb with anger | believe, at
that moment, could have shot him with
pleasure.
II wish had a little bit of rope" he
said, half to himself, II would then make
matters still more sure"
was thankful enough that his wish was
ungratifed. | had no desire to be left
bound as well as lost
He felt in my pockets as if searching foi
the needed rope, and then drew out my
handkerchief.
This brought matters to a crisis.
Coward although | had so far shown
myself to be, the idea Of being left alone
in the middle of wood in Dartmoor, tied
to tree, made me fairly desperate.
He had let his crowbar fall on the grass
while dressing.
l made quick JUMP for it and seized il
before he could prevent me,
| suppose | must have looked danger
Gus, for, without another word, he sprang
into the bushes and made his way rapidly
through them.
had half mind to follow him, but
the rapidity with which he disappeared
convinced me that it was impossible for me
to catch him up. Even if did, the issue
of the struggle would be doubtful, and |
had no particular fancy for duel in the
middle of a wood.
listened to his retreating footsteps; and
when he had quite departed, sat down to
review my position.
One thing was certain-I could not hope
to walk through the thorny pathway and
then over the stony moor in my stocking
feet. 1t was imperative that should re-
cover my boots somehow. | had noticed
carefully the direction in which he had
throwa them, and after quarter of an
hours painful search at last discovered
them.
managed to put them on, after consid-
cradle exertioD, and then commenced my
journey in the opposite direction to that in
which the convict had disappeared
| carried the iron rod with me, iu case
| should happen to cross his path again.
OF this thero seemed but little chance,
unless he were uninteationally to cross my
track.
plodded vigorously ou The first anx-
iety was to get out of this horrible wood
| imagined it could not be very large, and
feared had really been making a circuit
Of it.
Until I struck the open country. there
was no hope offinding road, or, what was
still more important, human being.
My own trouble had up to now almost
monopolized my thoughts.
Now l began to remember my sister
Bertha 1t added to my discomfort and
annoyance to think how frightened she
would be if did not return at the APP
pointed time. Still more alarmed would
she be when John turned up without me.
l greatly feared that her anxiety on my ac-
count would have a prejudicial effect on
her health.
These considerations made me press for
ward still more desperately, though | was
fast becoming tired and exhausted.
At last, to my immense joy, saw a
glimmering of light between the trees, and
in few minutes more found myself on
the edge of the wood, overlooking vast
extent Of undulating moor.
had not the ghost of an idea which
way to walk. The sun afforded me no
help, for clouds now covered it. 1t was