The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-11-12
CHAPTER XVI.

he trottsd with sure foot, when hi
caught sight Of the dugout and myself.
He stopped, and without emitting any
cry stared wonderingly at me.
II ever there was a puzzled dog, it wal
that particular specimen. As I have re.
marked, the species ranks low in intel
ligenoe and there was something in the
situation that was beyond the compre-
hension Of this brute. He had been put
on the trail Of fugitive fleeing on foot
and had done his work so we'll that he
speedily reached the place where !
crossed the stream. When in the act Of
following up the scent, he caught sight
of me.
No doubt he asked himself whether
it was possible I was the gentleman
wanted. Marvellous as is the power of
those animals, it could not have reveal
ed to this one that was the man whom
he was trailing, because of which he
stared at me in mute wonderment,
while he pondered the question. What
he ought to have done was to announce
his predioament by some sort Of howl
and brought his masters to the spot, but
the animal didn't know enough for
that. He must have decided that his
duty was to attend strictly to the bust
ness on which he was engaged, for,
withdrawing his gaze, he trotted the
remaining brief distance and jumped
heavily to tho ground. At that moment
he emitted howl and pressed his pur-
suit Of me hy taking course directly
the opposite Of the true one.
Having thrown all my enemies to the
rear for the time being, I must quickly
decide upon my future course.
Anxious as I was to get out of the
swamp and reach the open country, it
was manifest that l would surrender
an immense advantage when did 80.
The news Of the escape of the supposed
horse thief, Hank Boyer, had spread
through the country by this time, and
doubtless searching parties were scat
tered over space Of many miles.
Nothing rouses the bloodthirstiness Of
a mob more than the hunt for victim
with success delayed. If the fugitive
can remain beyond reach for several
days, their passions are likely to cool,
but for time it is a raging volcano.
It will be noted that there was no
possibility Of following me even with
the help Of the finest bloodhounds that
had ever been trained. So long as re.
NAMED on the water the brutes were
powerless. I could land at any point
chose, and the-dogs might grope for
hours before finding me, or they might do
so in much less time than that. To dis
embark and leave the dugout to show
where I had done SO would be to surren.
der all chances Of ultimate escape.
The plan fixed upon while padding
down stream was simple. 1t was to land
at what seemed to be a favorable point,
and then set the boat adrift. It would
float greater or less distance without
betraying the spot where it and ! had
parted company.
The problem, however, remained to
decide upon the best place to do this,
for it will be remembered that I was
wholly ignorant Of the ms and outs of
Black Mans swamp. But, reasoning
from the soant knowledge picked up the
previous night, inferred that I was
near the boundary of the dismal tract.
The time had not yet come for me to
leave it altogether, and since each side
If the creek was overhung with under
growth carefully ran the dugout close
10 shore and under the impenetrable
curtain. The branches were secured and
arranged around me with care that
would have done credit to an American
indian. By parting the interstioes i'm
nediately in front Of the screen could
ook out upon the water with no risk Of
icing observed by any one on the oppo-
lite bank or who might be navigating !
mother craft past my hiding place, !
While behind me the. dense vegetation
vas equally friendly.
For the first time felt SAFE Even if
ny pursuers should suspect my artifice
hey would have to push the search
Until they came directly upon the dug
ut itself. That they should succeed
Ipon the first attempt was out of tile
question. I could rest and mediate for
while in peace. /
Great Cesar, but wasn't I hungry
although had missed but one regular
neal, felt as if furnishing. The plain.
ct food would have been a godsend. I
ould devour anything edible and would
ave mastioated and swallowed the
saves Oh the branches and the bark on
he trees had I not been afraid Of seri-
US consequences. was unacquainted
Nth the fora of those southern swamps,
ut knew they contained great deal If
oxious vegetation that was as likely to
rove fatal as the toadstools Of our
lorthern states So I resolutely re-
'ressed my craving, though ready to do
lmost anything desperate that promised
o relieve the gnawing hunger.
Some 10 minutes of profound silence
assed, during which I wondered at
earring nothing Of the baying Of the
OuhuSs LAo PURSUITS AuuSU lhN6 ItiCu.
d conclusion by that time and prob.
bly, the means Of my fight had been
isoovered long before.
Sh! Something stirred among the
ushes on the opposite bank. Perhaps
was a hopping bird or some animal
making his way steathily among the
egetation, but it was safer to set it {
own as one Of my enemies. {
Again the gentle stir fell on my ears,
nd I softly parted the bushes before
~ face and peeped out. AS did SO
aw Cy Walters, who had como to the {
dye of the creek and was peering first
own stream and then across to the spot t
here was hiding. He was SO near 6
nat I Kept the peephole at the smallest !
Unconscious possible through fear that 1
hose keen eyes would detect me. He &
'ore the same SLOUGH hat and his griz. O
led beard covered lis face and breast. 9
10 held his Winchester in his right
and SsJhklo ,,;tb HI. 1oRk h. Lool 49, | q