The morning call., 1893-10-22

them, but Jim's composed face and perfect
calmness slightly reasSured him. Perhaps
! there was no danger, no real danger :;
! and, as jim had said, they would reach
the ford before the fire overlook them. No
man with the fear OF death so horrible
before his eyes could wear that look of
perfect unconcern. the doctor told himself,
| and the river could not be so very far off
now. just as this comforting thought
passed through his mind his horse swerved
suddenly, caught his foot in hole and
fell, throwing the doctor TO the ground. He
was not hurt and was on his feet in an in
stant, but when with Jim's assistance he
proce eded to raise the horse he found to
his alarm and dismay that the poor beasts
leg was broken. BE looked down at Jim.
who was passing his hand gently down the
| injured limb, with wild terror in his
eyes.
Course you. this is your fault" he cried
savagely. lyon forced me to ride onto
my death! y and he shuddered and looked
wildly at the advancing tire.
'Cheer up, man. If one Of MS two has
to die, it shall not be you, anyhow. Here"
he pointed TO his own horse-"mount at
once"
What's the use? She won't carry
double" the doctor cried despairingly.
''It will only be throwing away two lives
instead OF one"
mo, she won't carry double, but she'll
carry you safe enough" Jim answered
cooly "You know the way, don't you
You said you'd been TO the camp before"
"Yes; but you-what will you do?" the
doctor cried.
II? Oh, ran take care of myself. II
won't be the first time death and l have
had race together" Jim said earelessly,
land so far have come off the winner. i
dare say l shall now. Don't waste any
more time, mani!
'But have-no right to accept such a
sacrifice" the doctor faltered.
Jim frowned and stared at him and
! then laughed grimly.
'You." he said. you? Why. you fool.
| do you think l care a hang whether you
live or die? l promised her," and he set
his teeth fercely, that you should be at
the camp bv daybreak. Pll keep that
promise if-I die for it'll So go al once
! You can tell the boys where you lett me-
shall make for the ford. II | don't turn
up tell them to look for me there. Mount.
1 saw" and then as the doctor hastily
swung himself into the saddle he struck
the horse sharply with his riding-w hip
! and broke into wild gallop.
Jim looked after him, threw of coat and
waistcoat and went off at a steady, swing
ing pace across the veldt He had only
| gone few PAGES, however. before a sud-
den thought struck him, and he turned
and ran back TO where the poor horse lay
struggling in pain and terror. IA moment
more or less can't make any difference"
| he said to himself, and then he took out
his revolver and shot the horse through
! the head.
The doctor heard the report and turned,
struck by a new terror, expecting he
scarcely knew what. and was relieved to
see Jim still running steadily behind. He
! looked again and again as his horse few
| on rd in cinr
anxiety as the cloud of smoke came nearer
and nearer, and the tail figure became
first speck and then lost in the distance,
and far away he saw with a thankful
! heart the moonlight cleaning ON the quiet
| river.
The dawn was breaking when the doctor
rode into camp. He aroused the in
mates of the first shaDty he came to aud
| told his story. and quickly and silently the
horses we're saddled and half dozen men
galIoped out Of camp in search of their
comrade. They found him where he had
bade them look for him. on the river bank,
! lying unconscious below an Overhanging
rock, under which he had dragged himself
Tor shelter. aud rough, tender hands raised
him and carried him back 10 camp. The
fire had overtaken him just before he
reached the bank. 1t had spared his face,
but he was terribly burned about the chest
and one arm and leg; and when be awoke
agony of pain. He was conscious by and
by, in the midst Of his torture. of tue en-
trance of tall. white figure, who knelt on
the floor by his side and put cold hand
on his forehead. and held some cooling
drink to his parched lips. and with an eff
fort he forced back groan and opened his
eyes and smiled at her.
You see. kept my promise, Lois" he
said.
"Yes, yes; but at what a cost!'
"Never mind the cost. He was in time
Your father and Fred will recOver?" he
| said
"Yes, thanks to you." Lois cried. "He
says tn at with care and proper treatment
they will recover. They are both asleep
now" and then she glanced hurriedly
round the cabin.
They we're alone. for the doctor. feeling
that his presence was not required, had
stepped outside and was leaning against
the wall smoking his pipe. With a SUD
den impulse Lois leaned over the mattress; !;
her blue eyes, full Of a strange, beautiful
liuht nokod straipht intO and mat lime