Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-07-10
though how he got on my track passes

NOGQluR was W NC oCCOupAAoneo ~
standing at the roadside, and I resumed
my walk at still more deliberate pace,
frequently glancing over my shoulder
whenever the uncertain light offered
the opportunity.
I had kept this up for perhaps ten
minutes when curious flicker drew
my eyes to a point behind me, but on
the other side of the highway. Some.
thing moved among the shadows, and
but for the peculia:: direction of my
gaze would not have perceived it.
When we look directly at the Pleiades,
we can count but six stars, but care
less glance shows the full seven. Had !
been gazing at the Joint I would not
have observed the odd huttering on the
other side of the road.
Looking straight at the point I saw
nothing. Nevertheless I knew that in
that brief interval when my man slipped
from sight he had darted across the
road and had been following me ever
since from the other side.
. One Of the most uncomfortable sensa-
tions imaginable is that Of knowing
that some one is stealthily following us
at night. The temptation to break into
a run or to dart to one side and hide be-
comes almost irresistible.
I have said that I carried no deadly
weapon with me-nothing except my
resistless stnength-but in these modern
days there are innumerable situations
in which even so miraculous gift Is
worthless. A tiny pistol bullet would
be as fatal in my case as it would have
been to the ancient Samson.
Still it was not to be supposed that
the individual at my heels was seeking
my life, and, while keeping an eye to
his actions, I continued moving toward
the Hudson.
Suddenly I became aware that stran'
gers were in front. Not one man, but
three. Instead of following the path, as
I was doing, they were in the middle OF
the highway. They were big, strappine
fellows, frouzy and i'll clothed and
members of the pestilent class Of va
grants known a. tramps.
I increased my pace, intending to
hurry past them, but the burliest rogue,
who was a pace or two in front Of his
companions, turned to one side 80 as to
place himself directly in front Of me. ]
moved to the right, but he intruded
himself again. Evidently he meant tc
hold me in check.
"Good evening, bossl" he said in a
husky voice, at which his two compan.
ions paused in the middle of the road
and watched him from under theiI
slouched hats. They were ready to give
help, but could not believe it necessary,
for the scamp confronting me was 8
third greater in size and weight.
"Good evening. What do you wishT
(Which way might you be goin?"
"Can't you see for yourself"
Don't be imperlite, boss. We're
workin the growler and are in hard
luck. Can't you give us lift"
II might, for I have a good pile OF
money with me, but don't like to use
it for buying drink for other folks II
wouldn't be right.
"Bless your innercent heart, we don't
ak you to use it. It's us! Come, shell
out!'' And he advanced threateningly
toward me.
"No; I shall not let you have dol
lar, though 1 have plenty with me-"
"You won't, eh? Waal, that's good.
He made q plunge like bull, half
lowering his Aead, as if he meant to
butt me. As he came within reach l
grasped each of his upper arms and lift
ed him so quickly from his feet that
they flew straight up, so that held him
head downward. Then whirled him
about several times, as if he were a
fail, and leaping toward the gaping
miscreants in the road whipped them
with the legs of my man so violently
chat both were swept off their feet and
sent sprawling in the middle Of the high
way.
They were partly stunned, but began
climbing up again. Before they were
erect resumed thrashing them with my
human fail, driving one far to the right
and the other to the left. Then with
terrified exclamations they fed at head
long speed in the direction of Engle-
wood.
Meanwhile the big fellow in my
grasp was wriggling and making terri
BILE threats. Having no further use for
him, I flung him a dozen yards among
the trees and, with my hands on my
hips, waited.
I heard him crashing through the
limbs and leaves and finally fall to the
ground with a resounding thump. Then
all was still.
II hope haven't killed him, but he
must have been Jared pretty badly
No, he wasn't dead, for I heard him
moving among the underground. He
came cautiously forward until saw his
dim outlines at the edge of the wood
There he paused and stared at me for a
full minute before speaking. Then his
tones were not only husky, but tremu-
lous
IT say, boss, is that your"
eyes"
"Kin-kin you tell me whether this is
me?'
"It's the tramp that tried to rob me