The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1897-10-01
"Demetrius." he yelled. shrilly.

Demetr1uS, ne ycIeu, ehFniy.
"come out"
'I am here" was the instant reply.
Iwnited for no more. but ran noise
lessly for some fifty yards to the right.
It was bitterly cold, but 1 stripped off
coat. waistcoat and boots. Then, hold
ing my gun in my left hand, pushed
through the tules and entered the icy
water. The channel was deep, and, Mt
the place had selected, broad. Aswim
was inevitable
When I reached the island removed
my dripping underclothes and stole for
ward, naked as an Indian. I feared
that the swish of wet cloth might be-
tray my approach, and, besides, the
.clipging garments might impede the
free use Of my limbs. Demetrius must
be taken, IL possible, alive, and de-
cided to leave the gun within reach and
to trust to my muscles and n knife
which I thrust between my teeth.
What passed between master and man
while I was executing these maneuvers
i learned subsequently. Demetrius, as
we had expected, submitted n cut-and-
dried proposition, worthy, must ad-
nit. Of his subtle brain.
He denied nothing, and conceded
nothing. but his conditions implied ad-
mission of guilt. Briefly, they were as
follows: Gerard and his party were to
return to the house and stay there. He
and Mark would take the morning train
to the city. There, in San Francisco,
he would leave the boy at some hotel
he naturally did not specify the hotel
and go his way. If-he laid great en-
phasis upon the conjunction-if any
treachery were attempted, by tele-
graphic communication with the po-
lice, or otherwise, he swore solemnly to
kill the boy instantly. He would use
his own judgment as to when and where
he would part company with Mark, and
he demanded in addition a solemn
pledge from Gerard that he. Demetrius,
should be given plenary absolution for
his misdeeds up to date.
Gerard, knowing the nature Of the
man, and trembling with apprehension
for the safety of his darling, was about
TO accede to.these impuuent demands as
1 crawled within earshot.
LET me have the boy now," he
pleaded.
Demetrius laughed. The scoundrel
could twist the famous Anancier around
Ais little finger. a. . man twists ring;
and the occupation amused him.
'sMr Gerard"-he was never more
studiously polite-"Mr: Gerard, l am
not fool. You know that, sir"
"Where is Mark?'' painted the father.
"Asleep. Shall awake him?"
"Put him in the boat, and you can go
where you will"
"You speak for yourself, Mr.. Gerard;
but there are others, who are-er-in-
terested in me. There il that very
lucky young man, Mr.. Hugo Livingston.
Where is he, by the bye?"
"Here, you damned scoundrel," said
I; "here."
/ had him by the throat as I spoke,
and a second later caught the strangie
hold on him-the hold which made
Evan Lewis famous us a wrestler. He
writhed and twisted, but the hold can
never be broken between men Of equal
strength. Before a minute had passed
he was as a rag doll. gave his wind
pipe a last squeeze and flung him sense
less to the ground. The fight was over.
Meantime Jap and Gerard-the latter
COuu hOt ih'c shS
slough and, the water reaching only tn
their necks, bad landed safely upon the
island.
Gerard rushed to the hut, but Jap
remained with me. The Greek lay, an
inert macs, at my feet.
you've had all the fun" said Jap, re-
rroachfully. "Dut I'd like, sir, to tie
him up good an fast"
1--WE have no ropes" I replied. The
question Of securing Demetrius had al
ready perplexed me.
"There are ropes in the hut" said Jap.
"I'Il get EN-"
"Bring a light" called after him.
"and be quick about it."
could hear the voices of father and
son, the breathless explanations and
boyish CALCULATIONS Of surprise. Mark,
Junior, had the warmest affection for
the Greek, who, ms have said before,
nod acquired . dominating influence