The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1903-01-09

roar of the river told me the road,
and as sped away into the darkness l
ran full upon man and knocked him
fiat. The mischief was done. The
view halloo Of the man hunt rang In
the air, and, with a roar, the pack of
human hounds was ON my trail. Down
the road l went at my best speed
good hundred yards In advance Of the
van Of my pursuers. Presently l be-
came aware OF a brightness In front of
me, and. coming around turn. l saw
half a dozen negroes seated around
fire at the roadside. There was but one
thing to do. With a demoniac roar /
charged them. 1t was as had hoped.
The sight OF a scarlet and black devil
leaping at them from out the blackness
of night was enough. Like rabbits
they plunged into the brush, and the
sound of their frantic prayers bore me
company as sprinted past the fire. 1t
would have made corking fine poster
that scene, 1.-THE Apparition Of Pyro."
Then q shot sounded out behind me,
and put my thoughts into my heels. I
was gaining on the pursuit when my
feet splashed into water and / was up
to my knees before could check.
wasn't in the river, for l could hear
the food roaring well to the right of
me; besides, this water was stagnant.
The true nature of the pool flashed into
my head; it was backwater from the
river that had flooded the road and 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 be
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 a flicker of light on the bank, and
by the glow of brand which they had
snatched from the negroes fire saw
group Of my pursuers peering out
toward me.
Hes taken to the water" said one.
"Then we've got him." cried another.
"Bill, you and Bibbey get around and
head him Off"
l kept on till the water was at my
shoulders, Then something choked me
like rope around my neck. l had
heard about the choking feeling Of de-
spair, and l thought this was 1t. l
staggered aud almost fell back as q
strange, thick smell ciogged my nose.
On the surface of the water there was
q bubbling and chuckling. l could feel
it at my feet too. 1t was queer. but
queer things don't make much differ
ence to a man who is going to be
hanged in five minutes. That was my
first thought. Then | had better one.
l remembered the high water and the
gas, and | knew what that bubbling
was and was ready to take the chance
and do 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 a patter
from book called the Last Days of
Pompeii," so | gave 'em that
Earth born villains" l 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 roper"
"Silence," | yelled. land behold!
Then l flashed my electric spark into
the middle of the gas and dove. When
1 came up ten yards away after stay
ing down as long as could, there was
a big circle of red. yellow and blue
flame dancing beautifully over the wa
ter. On the shore the brands flickered,
but they cast light only on trees and
bushes. There wasn't q living being In
sight. but all around there were a
mighty crashing of brush and bowls
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.
crawled out on the opposite side
and went on to Carton in boat that l
found. Two days later my assistant
came along. Sledge Turner wasn't dead
after ALL That's the reason they hadn't
lynched Bob. He said If I'd go back
there l could play to s. r. o. for a
month, but l couldn't see it. I'd had
enough. But 1t was great ad. for me.
Some day I'm going to make an act out
of that nights work.