Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1893-08-16
AT HIS MERCY.

1t was almost dark, and the Wal
ham river is much overhung in the
parts that lie between Horrabridge
and the old brick works.
In the bed of the river a man
stumbled heavily along, trusting
more to his knowledge of the river
than to his eyesight. He was fish
ing dexterously with flies that were
almost white-flies which seemed to
suit admirably the taste of those
small brown trout which never have
the sense to leave alone the fare pro
vided for their larger white breth-
rem.
Suddenly he hooked a larger fish,
and not daring to step back beneath
the overhanging oak, he proceeded
to tire his fish out in the deep water.
In 10 minutes he brought it to the
landing net, and as he turned to
open his creel his heart leaped in his
breast A man was standing in the
water not two feet behind him.
''Hellol" he gasped.
II won't insult you by telling you
not to be frightened" said the voice
of gentleman There was no mis-
taking it. The speaker stood quite
still, with the water bubbling round
his legs He was hatless, and his
hair was cut quite short
A thought flashed across the fish
erman's slow brain. Like the rest
of his craft, he was slower of mind
than hand.
''Yes, said the other, divining his
thoughts, I'm from Dartmoor You
probably heard of my escape two
days ago."
YES" replied the other quietly,
while he wound up his line. 81
heard of it.
"And where do they say am"
"Oh, the police have got clew-
as usual" replied the fisherman.
The escaped convict laughed bit
terly, but the laugh broke off into
a sickening cackle.
I've been in those brick works."
he said, "all the time meditating
murder. stole loaf from bak-
er's cart, but a man cannot live by
bread alone-ahl Hal haT
The fisherman held out his flask,
which the other took and opened
the somewhat uncommon silver top
with ease bred of knowledge.
He poured himself out a full glass
and drank it off.
II haven't had that taste in my
mouth for four years" he said. re-
turning the flask, land you are
guilty of felony"
The fisherman probably knew this,
for he merely laughed.
1.-THE question is. said the convict
after a pause, during which they
had waded back to the bank, ''wheth-
er you are going to help me or notf
Heavens nearly killed you while
you were playing that fish" F"
"Ya-as," drawled the fisherman,
II take it that you must have been
tempted. never heard you, owing
to the noise of the water"
They were both big men, and the
convict stared curiously into the
long, clean shaven face of this calm
speaker A smile actually tiickered
for a moment in his desperate eyes.
What ! want, he said, lis your
macintosh. your waders and your
hat-also your red case with a long
stick in it. The handle of your land
ing net will do. Where do you come
fromf
plymouth. I'm going back on
the 7;S0 from the Horrabridge."
with return ticket.
Yes"
II should like that also"
THE fisherman was slowly dis
jointing his rod. ,
Suppose ! told you to come and
take EN-" he said. with a drawl
again. M
The convict looked him up and
down with a certain air OF compe
tent criticism
Then there would be a very pret
ty fight" he said. with a laugh
which he checked when he detected
the SAVIOR of the prison yard that
was in ii.
I'VE haven't time for a fight ="
said the fisherman
And there came hot gasp OF ex'
element from the convict's lips
His stake was a very large one.
In the sane slow. reflective man
ner the fisherman unbuttoned the