The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1902-11-29

costume. was an athlete and in good
training: magician has To he. The
roar of the river told me the road.
aud as sped away into tha darkness |
ran fun upon a man ANA knocked him
flat The mischief was done The
view halloo of the man hunt rang in
the air, and, with roar, the pack of
human hounds was on my trail. Down
the road ! went Ut my best speed II
good hundred yards in advance of the
van of my purSuers. Presently be
came aware of brightness in front OF
me, and. coming around a turn, | saw
half Il dozen negroes seated around a
ire at the roadside, There was but one
thing To do. With demOniuc roar
charged them. II was us | bad hoped
The sight OF n scarlet and black deyil
leaping 1T them from out the blacknesS
of night WAS CnOugh. Like rabbits
they plunged into the brush, ANA the
sound of their frantic prayers bore me
company as | spriuted past the tire. II
would have made Il curking tine poster
that scene, The Appartiun OF pyro.'
Then shot sounded out behind me.
ana put my thoughts into my heels.
was gaining on the pursuit when any
feet spashcd into water and WAS mp
to my knees before | could check
wasn't in the river, for | could hear
the flood roaring well to the right OF
me; besides, this water was stAgnant.
The true nature Of the pool flashed into
my head, il was II buckWAtrr from the
river that had flooded the road ami was
probably but short distance across.
But if the miners knew of any path
around they could head me off. as my
progress through the water would he
slow. even If did not have to swim for
it and lose my bearings Nevertheless,
straight ahead was my only chance.
Before had got waist deep there
was ticker of light on the bank, and
by the glow of Il brand which they had
snatchrd from the negroes fire | saw Il
group of my pursuers pecring out
toward me.
Hes taken to the water" said one.
"Then we've got him cried another.
"Bill. you and BiDbry sut around and
hc&d him OH.
kept on till the water was at my
shoulders Then something chokcd me
like rope around my neck. had
heard about the choking feeling Of de
Spair. and | thought this WAS il.
.,,l .flt f.ll t.l
strange thick sm,lI 81 eyed my nose.
On the surface of thu water there was
a buDJiiLg auu ChuCniIng | could feel
1t at my feet too 1t was queer, but
queer things don't make much differ
ence to man who is going to be
hanged in five minutes. That was my
first thought Then had a better one.
remembered the high water and the
gas, and | knew what that bubhling
was and was ready to take the chance
and do a special turn for my life.
OF course | had to have some talk,
You don't get the full effect of these
things without good spiel. The only
thing | could think of was patter
from Il book called the Last Days of
PUnpci," SO | gave 'cm that.
Earth born villains" | shouted. "be
hold how the avenging Orcus spouts
forth flames from the face of the wa
tiers to protect its own
There were answering shouts from
all around the pond: There he is"
where's the rope"
"Silcnce." yelled. and bchold"'
Then | flashed my electric spark into
the middle of the gas and dove. When
| came up ten yards away after stay
iug down as long as could, there was
a biz circle OF red. yellow aud blue
flame dancing beautifully over the wa.
ter. ON the shore the brands tiiekcrrd.
but they cast light only on trees and
bushes There wasn't a living being In
sight, but all around there were
mighty crashing of brush and howls
that would shame a catamount. The
miners lodge had chased the devil just
as far as they wanted TO. My act was
"a sure enough hit
craWlrd out on the opposite side
and went on to Carton in boat that !
found Two days later my assistant
came along. Slcdge Turner wasn't dead
after all That's the reason they hadn't
lyuchcd Bob He said # I'd 20 back
there could play to $ Il o. for a
month, but couldn't see IT, Ia had
enough But it was a great al. for me.
Some day I'm going to mukr an act out
of that nights work