Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1898-07-01
CHAPTER XIV.

From the side of the hill, which was
here steep and stony, spout of gravel
was dislodged and fell rafting and
bounding through the trees. My eyes
turned instinctively in that direction,
and saw figure leap with great rapid
ity behind the trunk Of pine. What it
was, whether bear or man or monkey
could in no wise tell. 1t seemed dark
and shaggy; more knew not. But the
terror of the new apparition brought
me to stand.
was now, it seemed, cut off upon
both sides; behind me the murderers,
before me this lurking nondescript. And
Immediately began to prefer the dan
gers that I knew to those l knew not.
Silver himself appeared less terrible in
contrast with this creature of the
woods, and I turned on my heel, and,
looking sharply behind me over my
shoulder, began to retrace my steps in
the direction of the boats.
Instantly the figure reappeared, and,
making a wide circuit, began to head
me off. I was tired, at any rate; but
had I been as fresh as when l rose, !
| could see it was in vain for me to con-
tend in speed such an adversary. From
| trunk to trunk the creature fitted like
| a deer, running man-like on two legs,
but unlike any man that I had ever
seen, STOPPING almost double rs it ran.
Yet man it was. I could no longer be
in doubt about that.
I began to recall what had heard Of
cannibals. was within an ace Of call
ing for help. But the mere fact that
he was man, however wild, had some
what treasured me, and my fear Of Sill
YER began to revive in proportion. I
stood still, therefore, and cast about
for some method of escape; and as
was so thinking, the recollection of my
pistol flashed into my mind. AS soon
as remembered was not defenseless,
courage glowed again in my heart;
and I set my face resolutely for this
man of the island, and walked briskly
toward him.
He was concealed by this time, be-
hind another tree trunk; but he must
have been watching me closely. for as
soon as I began to move in his direction
he reappeared and took step to meet
me. Then he hesitated, drew back,
came forward again, and at last, to
my wonder and confusion, threw him.
self on his knees and held out his
clasped hands in supplication.
AT that once more stopped.
"Who are you?" asked.
"Ben Gunn," he answered, and his
voice sounded hoarse and awkward, like
a rusty lock. I'm poor Ben Gum, I
am; and I haven't spoke with Chris
tian these three years"
I could now see that he was white
man like myself. and that his features
were even pleasing. His skin, whcr-
ever it was exposed, was burned by the
sun; even his lips were black, and his
fair eyes looked quite startling in so
Clark face. Of all the beggar-men that
I had seen or fancied, he was the chief
for raggedness. He was clothed with
tatters of old ships canvas and old sea-
cloth; and this extraordinary patch
work was all held together by system
of the most various and homogeneous
fastenings, brass buttons, bits of stick.
and loops of tarry gaskin. About his
waist he wore an old brass-buckled
leather belt, which was the one thing
solid in his whole accoutrement.
"Three years!" I cried. "Were you
shipwrecked?''
"Nay, mate" said he-"marooned."
had heard the word, and knew it
stood for horrible kind of punish
ment common enough among the buc-
cancers, in. which the offender is put
ashore with a little powder and shot.
and left behind on some desolate ana
distant island.
''Marooned three years agone," he
continued, land lived on goats since
then, and berries, and oysters. Wher-
ever a man is, says I, a man can do for
himself. But, mate. my heart is sore
for Christian diet. You mightn't hap
pen to have piece of cheese about YOU,
now? No? Well, many's the long
night I've dreamed of cheese-toasted,
mostly-and woke up again, and here
I were"
eff ever I can get aboard again." said
I, "you shall have cheese by the stone"
[To BE CONTINUED
Not Prepared.
His Friend-Why don't you go right
IN opI eli tho old m, n for ber toni phf |