The Savannah morning news., 1902-11-09

Brown Elk's face was wrathful as he
watched the retreating beast. Quin
and Lafarge lifted Batosh to his feet,
and he staggered between them
to the shore. His clothing was ripped
half off his body, but he had
escaped with no worse injuries than
few scratches and an ugly bite in the
shoulder.
That's enough for me-" he groaned.
Back 1 go to the fort in the morn
ing"
I'VE nearly caught the creature"
ouin said, bitterly. And I'll get him
yet-this very night-before he can
reach his lair" he cried. as a sudden
and brilliant inspiration struck him.
The wind-it is from the right quar-
ter! Quick, Lafarge. up with the can
vas! The nets-are they on board?
want the largest
"Ah, what SPORT" exclaimed Lafarge.
"It is magnificent! But poor Batosh-''
Don't worry about me-" interrupted
the voyageur. Leave me the brandy
that's ALL"
Quin threw a flask at him. There it
is. But you mustn't stop here alone; Elk
will dress your shoulder and keep you
company"
The sails were up and Lafarge was
at the tiller. Quin sprang aboard and
puSneO IOT n InOineHI Will one lOOL,
until the wind bellied the canvas.
Then, looking round, he was surprised
to see the Indian crouching behind
him.
Get Off" he shouted angrily.
ME help catch wild beast was
Brown Elk's stolid reply. "Batosh. he
no 'fraid stay alone
The last words could barely be heard
for the sledge was dashing at a fu-
rious speed up the lake. Quin was an
CRY for a moment then accepted the
situation; after all, third hand might
be needed.
The camp faded swiftly behind, and
far in front a black speck danced in
the moonlight, growing visibly larger.
The pursuers were gaining. The wind
was strong, and the Tapping of the
canvas mingled with the sharp click
ety-click of the steel runners. At rail-
road speed the cumbrous iceboat skim
med the frozen surface, cutting clean
ly through hummocks and ridges of
snowwrack. Lafarge gripping the tiller
and watching eagerly ahead. fought for
breath with the fierce blast of air that
stung his face like a thousand pin
pricks.
In one hand Quin held the taut sheet.
while with the other he shook apart
the coils of the great strong net he had
brought from London. Both felt thrilled
by the mad ride and enjoyed the spice
of peril that went with ii. Brown Elk.
squatting silent and sullen at the
stern. bent his lean body to the rush
of wind.
The velocity of the sledge increased
The white panther, which had not once
swerved from a straight course. was
overhauled steadily. until the distance
had lessened to thirty yards Throw
ing the sheet to the Indian. Quin stood
up and circled the mast with one arm
The net was on the other arm, and the
end of the long rope he held loosely.
Look sharpl" he cried
Ready. sir!" shouted Lafrarge. "Ah,
We'll get him.
A few seconds more, and the sledRe
was nearly level with the bounding
brute. The net shot diagonally for
ward. ten or twelve feet. and dropped
fairly on the 1.-THE gray body But il
missed the head. and with mad
screech the animal shook off the.
meshes. swerved and went tearing
away at an angle. UGH" grunted
Brown Elk. Lafarge said something
stronger, and then jerlSed the tiller
with such force that he nearly snap
ped ii.
Better luck next time" shouted
Quin. as he hauled the net in After
him. quick! He can't get away from
us-there's no land within six miles"
But the game was not so easy. In
spite of the admirable skill with which
Quin and Lafarge handled tiller and
canvas, they met with more than one
exasperating check. They swerved
TO northeast. and the panther cunning
ly turned and cut behind them. They
caught II up. and again II out-maneu-
vered them. Right and left they tack
ed. and finally, when the creature was
making for the west shore, they sue
ceeded in heading Il straight up the
lake once more.
The chase was resumed in earnest,