Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-02-19
CHAPTER XXII.-(Continued.)

by snort, eager DarKS OF nerce SAUSAGE
ton.
Jacks face turned a trile pale, and he
shut his teeth hard together, but his eyes
flashed, and his frame seemed to become
firm as rock.
Either the hounds had been suffered to
go free, or else they had slipped the leash;
at any rate they were untrammeled by
masters, and were racing along after the
fugitives, rapidly coming up with them.
He had had much experience with
bloodhounds in the South, and knew
there was but one remedy for it. Per-
haps after all it would be for the best,
for, the hounds once out of the way. their
pursuers would have no means of finding
out where they had gone, not being skill
ed in following a trail, yet it was far
from a pleasant task the young man had
before him.
Nora speedily comprehended the truth,
for she saw that something had occurred
to give her lover a start, and soon recog-
nized the difference in the sounds back Of
them.
Nearer and nearer came the dread
sounds, and it was evident that the
hounds, knowing they were fast overtak-
ing the fugitives, were anxious for the
carnival of blood.
At last the ferocious hounds were so
near that their sharp barks seemed to
fill the wood full Of echoes, and Jack
could even hear them dashing through the
underground.
The time for action had come. Quickly
he put Nora among the lower branches of
n tree, and took up his station beside it.
Not a second too soon was this done, for
out from the bushes sprang an enormous
dun-colored hound.
The beast crouched at sight of him, and
uttered a low, terribly fierce growl. Even
in the moonlight it could be seen that the
hound was a ferocious brute, black about
the muzzle, and with two rows of sug-
gestive white teeth showing behind as he
curled his lips.
His blazing eyes were fastened upon
Jack, and it was evident that, like a pam
ther, he was crouching in order to make a
fatal leap. Knowing the nature of the
brutes so well, the young man was well
aware of the fact that the time for ac-
ton had come, and that if he delayed now
all might indeed be lost.
Taking a keen aim, he fred. There
was a sharp yelp, and, as the little cloud
of white smoke was swept away by the
wind, the hound was seen writing in
the agonies of death.
The bullet had lone its work. Again
the hammer was raised, and just in time,
for once more the bushes were parted,
and the form of another dog sprang into
view.
Like the first one, at sight of the foe
he came to a sudden halt, and, ~crouching
for a spring, CRASHED his teeth in fury.
mat pause, short though it was, proved
fatal to the terrible hound.
Again Jacks weapon sounded. His
nerves were Of steel, and nothing could
nave exceeded his coolness, for he real
lied all there was at stake.
When a few seconds later this little
cloud of smoke was blown aside It re-
yealed the second hound lying across the
body of the first, and yet a third terri
BILE animal in the act of flying through the
bushes.
Once more the bloody tragedy had TO be
repeated, but this time, for some cause or
other, he failed to deal out a death shot.
ana wounded as the brute was, it made
the leap.
Even while the animal was passing
through midair the young man fired again.
and when the animal struck it was with
IN two feet of him, so that he actually
poured his third charge down the ami
mars red throat as it distended its Jaws
ready to seize upon him.
That was enough. Flesh and blood
could stand no more, and the terrible
looking animal sank back even at his
feet, dead.
Leaving the dead hounds when they
lay. the two once more FASTENED on, Jack
with his arm thrown protectingly around
his companion. His love for her was of
that deep, chivalrous nature that wor-
ships its object.
Once they heard a chorus of savage
cries, and knew that their pursuers had
discovered the dead hounds, but after
that all was wrapped in the most impen-
etrable silence. They were safe.
There still remained the mission to
which both Jack and she were ready to
devote their lives, and after this terrible
experience at the hands of Doctor Grim
it may be readily imagined that they
were even more earnest in their work
than ever before.
Jack and Nora Warner finally reached
the house they had been aiming for. Here
he had formed his arrangements before
going to the asylum, and his gold had
made stanch friends of the cottager and
his old crone of a wife.
They We're warmly welcomed, as soon
as the old pair could get up and dress,
and Nora was given an extra room they
Glanced to have, while Jack. having re-
loaded the empty chambers of his reyolv-
or, laid down in the main room.
When morning came they partook of a
hearty breakfast and then babe adieu
to the old couple. Their hearts were now