San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-06-30
CHAPTER XII

lat my heels. One of the first thoughts OF
vagrant in approaching q house is
whether he is likely to come in contact
with canine, but that danger had not
occurred to me.
/ spoke in q soothing voice TO the
huge dog, whose nose touched my hip,
for was anxious to establish friendly
relations with him, but he knew his
duty, and his manner became so threat
ening that j saw must retreat 1t was
clear that he meant business, and
the safest place for me was somewhere
else.
1t would not do to break into run,
for nothing inspires a dog with more
courage than the sight of fleeing per-
son, and it is the same if the pursuer is
a man. / tried to walk with certain
dignity. uttering all the conoiliatory ex-
pressions at my command and even try
ing to pat his enormous head.
But snap at my hand and more
growls showed that no was in no mood
to be conciliated. He knew was an
intruder, and he must have been taught
to adopt summary measures with per
sons of that class. He kept close to me-
still growing, and seemed to be trying
to settle in his mind the best method of
making an attack. Thus matters stood
when we reached the head of the ave-
nue. and l walked hriskly toward the
highway.
How yearned to break into run
and dash with speed of the wind to the
main road But, sprinter though was,
l could be no match for that huge crea-
ture
Suddenly he made snap at my heels,
and with an involuntary exclamation
leaped into the air and was off like a
deer.
LET me alono or I'll kill you"
shouted, drawing my revolver
1t is not to be presumed that the CO.
nine grasped the meaning Of my threat,
or if he did he was not frightened, for
he was upon me the next instant He
landed upon my shoulders and would
have borne me to the earth had not
shaken him of.
But his blood was up. and he was like
Jungle tiger He meant to tear me to
shreds and would have done it the next
minute had not prevented. ! had faced
around and saw the terrible beast leap
straight at my throat. A sweep Of my
left arm averted this danger, and as be
gathered himself Tor another spring |
let fly with three shots of my revolver.
That settled him. When q man has
to decide between killing dog and be-
ing killed by him, he is not apt to hest
tate
The occurrence settled another thing.
1t was idle for me to keep any surveil-
lance of the house for some time to
come The shooting of the dog would
alarm the inmates, and they would be
ON the watch for the rest of the night.
Probably Darius Howard would read
the meaning of the affair and leave the
dwelling for good If so. my senture
had not only failed to do good, int had
done harm.
But such are the chances Of war, and
why regret that which cannot be helped:
Taking to the highway, walked
briskly, never stopping unit. ! reached
the railway station. | was i'll time TO
catch the train to Jersey City. aud socn
was in bed at hotel on the New York
side, kept by friend Of mipe, wha
knew my profession aud gave he every
facility | wished 1t was so convenient
to the railway that it saved me the
time must have lost had gone to my
home up town.
The individual who stepped off the
train next day at Railway would never
have been suspected of being the va
grant who slouched into town the day
preceding and walked from Elizabeth to
that point He was fashionably dressed,
prim looking and carried small cane.
had decided upon magnificent game
of bluff.
The day was brisk and cool 1t had
not rained for week, and the weather
was Of that sort which makes walk
a source of delight. Instead Of hiring
a cab, sauntered down town, turning
off over the same road had followed
the night before.
lu6 rOut6 was ~ laniiioi ehoeA OouAo
not go astray, and in due time saw
the stone house among the partly denud-
ed trees on my left There was the av-
enue, lined ON each side with the tower
ing poplars, and slackened my pace at
the very spot where l had given the
quietus to the dog that so sorely beset
me. He must have been favorite, for
his body had been removed and doubt
less given decent burial
''They will be sure to buy another,
but it isn't likely they have him yet, "
was my comforting reflection as ! strobe
up the lane, stepped upon the porch and
gave a resembling summons with the
polished brass knocker on the door.
1t was opened by colored woman,
who looked inquiringly at me.
1T wish to see Mr.. Darius Howard,
said pleasantly.
1 HE doesn't live here, sir. "
] 81 mean the dark haired, black eyed
h,leman who comes out from New
York occasionally. Sometimes his wife
is with him. She is very handsome. +"
The servant was quite intelligent and
e-,rvaved ma sharnly