The Delta independent., 1897-03-24


determined to let the horse find the
way il he could. In common with I'M
equestrian mankind in general, Philip
shared the belief in the inerrant path
finding instincts of horse; but after an
other hour of hesitant wandering. dur
ing which time he hnd been thrice gar
roted by low-swinging branches. and
impartially bruised about the legs by
the efforts of the horse to squeeze be-
tween close-growing trees, his conf
dcnce in the sagac;ty of the animal be-
gan to waver. From doubt to GER
tainty is but step, and Philips faith in
horses went the way of all delusions
when the clumsy beast stumbled on the
edge OF a ravine. slid helpleesly TO the
bottom, and ended by throwing his
rider into heap Of stones.
Philip was half stunned by the fall.
and when he came to himself he found
that he had gained srrained ankle and
lost q horse. Remembering ruefuily
the maxim about great haste and small
speed, he got up with some difficulty
and continued his wanderings afoot un-
til the pain in his ankle became rnbear-
able. After that there WINS nothing for
it but to sit down and wait for daylight,
and he was about to resign himself to
this comfortless alternative, when he
heard a cock crow. Chickens argued
inhabitants, and Philip dragged him
self painfully in the direction Of the
sound until he came to the log cabin
OF mountaincer. II wus but y miscr-
able hovel of single room and loft,
fv,I, lon n l.,
Bctlcuins in other respects than in their
hospitality; but Of the latter Philip
soon had grateful assurances. He was
taken in and cared for; the nan making
up a fire in the crumbling stone fire
place while the woman bathcd his swol-
len ankle and called a half-grown boy
from the loft to go out after red clay for
a roulticc. And ufterward they would
have made him take the only bed in the
cabin IL he had not insisted upon sleep
ing on the floor before the fire.
When Philip awoke the next morning
he found himself as completely pris-
sired. Walking was out Of the qucs-
tion, and his host had neither horse
nor the disposition to 20 to Glenco TO
procure one, though his offcrs Of hos
pitality were as generous Ms he knew
how to make them. Philip gucseed ut
tho mans. reason for not wishing to ap-
psur IN Clsnco whfn the mounsairher
offered him q potatioH from . Jug
drawn from its hiding-place beneath the
punchcon floor, and forbore to press
the point, contenting himself with q re-
quest TINT the boy might be allowed to
carry q letter TO AiIacoochee. Inc
permission was given. and fhiiiP wrote
note to Duncan teIiing MIN OF 'ne
accident ana urging MIN 10 sPars no
pains to keep kiigrow out OF the nands
OF Sharpiess and bis emissaries dur'ne
the enforced armistice. inns ne IN
closed IN Inc 70 iroeneroe' IN "nisn
he begged the young engineer 10 oe'
liver the message to the scotchman.
Not having IN enseioPe' ne .ook 'na,
from ueiens letter. Drawing h's pencil
through his own name and wrn'ns
Protheroe's above 1t; and' after many
exPiicit ana precise instruc.'on.. 'ne
boy left the cabin on ihorndykes e..
rand. An hour aiterwsfo ne ~as s.S
ting contentediy on . oow'cer uy tne
side OF the Ahacoocnee roeo' "a''ins IN
tranquil idIeness iof tne chahcc coming
OF some 'eam wnose o,.veL w"usu
heve MIN OF tne necessi'y Ior .u n
exeraon. ne iouno PVAy @
course OF tne forenoon mo IN "ue ..e
tne letter W. oe'sers9, n%r 70
roe Out 10 Mr. JENKINS .enc". w
answered the oea1e' inquiry - " ..e
WHEREABOUTS OF tne engineer, .no Wno
kinoiy Eoiunseeo 70 conssy "
sive 70 .nes CS,,S:. enus oes :. ."s
soorSn noof OF 'ne oosfsn'y o"i'"ins'
xvi
Low. V.Rsus IDEAL
duncan slept througn tine forenoon
o. tne Gay iohowine tne journey :"
osenoo. oelne no songee 2 YOUNG mn,
and having spent Ntner more tnss eaii