Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-02-18

10 the center DOOfnS. There he knelt
and busted himself with the chains.
In his zigzng progression over the
jam he SO blended with the morning
shadows rs to seem one Of them. and
he would have escaped quite unnOticed
had not a sudden shifting Of the logs
under his feet compelled him to rise for
moment to his full height. SO Wal.
lace Carpenter, passing from his bed
room along the porch to the dining
room. became aware of the man on the
logs.
His first thought was that something
demanding instant attention had hap
pcned to the boom. He therefore ran
at once to the mans assistance. ready
to help him personally or to call other
aid as the exigency demanded. Owing
to the precarious nature Of the passage
lie could not see beyond his feet until
very close to the workman. Then he
looked up to find the man. squatted on
the boom, contemplating him sardonlc-
ally.
Dyer" he exclaimed.
fright, my son." said the other
cooly.
What are you doing?"
"1f you want to know. am filing
this chain"
Wallace made one step forward and
so became aware that at last firearms
were taking part in this desperate
game.
You stand stll" commanded Dyer
from behind the revolver. ITS unfor-
tunatp for you that you happened
along. because now you'll have to come
with inc till this little row is over You
wont have to stay long. Your logs II
go out in an hour. I'll just trouble
you TO go into the brush with me for
awhile"
The scaler picked his file from beside
the weakened link.
What have you against us. anyway.
Dyer" asked Wallace. His quick mind
had conceived plan. At the moment
he was standing near the outermost
edge of the jam, but now as he spoke
he stepped quietly to the boom log.
Dyer's black eyes cleaned at him
suspiciously, but the movement appear
ed wholly natural in view Of the re
turn to shore.
Nothing" he replied. II didn't like
your gang particularly, but that's moth
ing"
"Why do Ysu take such nervy
chances to injure u.s." querled Car
penter.
Because there's something in it,
snapped the scaler. Nov, about face
Moscy"
Like flash, Wallace wheeled and
dropped into the river, swimming a,
his breath should give out. The swift
current hurried him away. When a
last he rose for air the spit of Dyer:
pistol caused him no uneasiness 4
moment later he struck out boldly fcl
/ shore.
What Dyer's ultimate plan might bt
| he could not guess. H. had stated con
! fidently that the jam would break "il
| an hour" He might intend to start i
with dynamite. Wallace dragged him
self from the water and commenced
breathlessly to run toward the board
| ing house.
| Dyer had already reached shore
Wallace raised what was left of hii
voice in a despairing shout. The scale
mockingly waved his hat. then turnet
and ran swiftly ard easily toward tL'
shelter Of the woods. AT their horde
he paused again to bow in derlsion
Carpenters cry brought men to III
boarding house door. From The shud
oWs Of the forest two vivid flashes Gu
the dusk. Dyer staggered. turned com
/ pletely about. seemed partially to re
cover and disappeared. An instan
| later across the open space where til
scalcr had stood. with rifle atrial, I'll
Indian eaped in pursuit