Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-11-21
D[BA1ABE LAND.
By EDWARD 9. ELLIR
Copyright isss. By The Author.l
CHAPTER XIV.
A rprryD IN Nrvn

CHAPTER XIV.
| FRIEND IN NREp.
Lieutenant Oakman was too skilled
horseman to remain long in ignorance
Of the woeful mistake he had made. He
had taken the worst horse of the whole
lot. and one Of the inevitable certainties
of the immediate future was that he
would be beaten in his fight for free
| dom
Glancing over his shoulder at the
party dashing down the highway after
him and noting that they were surely
gaining, the fugitive perforce did some
hard thinking.
This can't go on much longer. /
don't think they will need a court mar
tial next time TO decide what to do
with me.
The pursuers were close enough to
tumble Oakman from the saddle. but
he knew they would not do that, since
by waiting awhile he must fall into
their hands, while there was danger
that in firing they might wound the
horse. Even though he was the least
valuable Of the lot, the party were not
willing 10 lose him.
Oakman glanced keenly to the right
and left, in the hope Of discovering
something that might be turned 10 ac-
count in his fight. The open character
of the country was discouraging. but
he recalled indistinctly q small stretch
OF woods through which he passed when
afoot. which he thought might serve
his purpose
II soon loomed to view in the moon
light. and he again pricked the flank OF
his horse, who was unable 10 increase
his pace by single hoof beat.
Its do or die" was his thought.
Then moment later he added with
the wonderful coolnsss that had mark
ed everything thus far done by him.
"And guess it's die. q"
The timber was not only less exten-
sive than he had supposed. but was 20
open that il he should leap from the
back Of his horse and dart among the
trees. even when favored by the gloom.
he would be- scarcely ont Of sight. More
over, IL his pursuers 30 desired they
could readily surround the wood and
take him at their leisure.
Ii was shock 10 the officer as he
sped with arrowy swiftness through
the darkened lane without slackening
the speed of his animal and speedily de-
bouched again into the unobstructed
moonlight. The one thing upon which
he had pinned his hope was gene and
his immediate future could not have
looked darker.
Glancipg 10 the rear again, a notice
able change struck him. The party had
drifted back few rods as IL their ami
mals were growing tired or they had
agreed upon some new strategical move
That the latter was the fact was prob
able because one Of the pursuers was
well in advance Of his companions and
bearing steadily down on the fugitive.
He had most likely asked and receiv-
ed the privilege Of running TO earth the
officer who had played 50 clever trick
on them
If | were sure those other fellows
would show fair play" mut;ered the
lieutenant. ~ should wait tor that gen
tleman and have il out with him.
don't I know whether he suspects have
the revolver Of the man in the hall. but
he is in fair way 10 learn il pretty
coon.
So far as Oakman could judge there
was little to be- gained by postponing
the fight upon which the pursuer had
set his heart. though II was good gen
eralship to draw away the man from
his supporters. A vague idea of secur-
ing the horse which showed superior
fieetness was in the mind Of the lieu
tenant, when. looking back and observ-
ing that his enemy was about midway
between him and his party, he for the
first time since starting on this desper-
ate fight drew rein and 80 slackened
his pace that Me other overhauled him
"hand over hand.
No use, L thk 1pu may ~ Wch
give in You're devilish sly. but it
won't help you out Of this musa "
"Are You willing TO fight met" call
ed back Oakman, retarding the pace Of
his animal still more.
Nothing would suit me better IL
you had pistol instead Of that tooth
pick at your side, but
Il have a pistol" was the startling
information Of the lieutenant. who now
wheeled his horse about and fully con-
fronted his enemy.
The latte. was plucky. and. though
slightly disconnected by the unexpected
action OF his antagonist, he whipped
put his revolver and fired point blank
1t him. Oakman felt slight twinge in
his shoulder, instead Of through the
brain, as would have been the fact but
for the restlessness Of both animals
Before his foe could fire a second
time the lieutenant let fly. The other
reeled and slipped out Of his saddle to
the ground, dead when he struck the
earth.
Whatever purpose Oakman had Of
seizing the horse of his enemy was
spoiled by the brute, which wheeled and
dashed back at headlong speed toward
the company at the rear. whinnying
in his terror as he dragged the form of