Courier Democrat., 1904-12-22
CHAPTER VIII.
THE pILor's GRIP.

4" IHE situation was one OF ex-
treme danger madman
5uHl|kSI with Winchester ride.
Something must be done and
quickly. But what? 1t would be
death to any one appearing at the
door.
"I'll speak. You keep your eyes on
him." said the Duke.
"Hello, Bruce! What's the rowT
shouted the Duke.
Instantly the singing stopped. A
look of cunning delight came over his
face as, without a word, he got his rife
ready pointed at the door.
"Come in!' he yelled. after waiting
for some moments. "Come In! You're
the biggest Of all the devils. Come on;
I'll send you down where you belong.
Come. what's keeping you?"
Over the rife barrel his eyes cleaned
with frenzied delight. We consulted as
to plan.
II don't relish bullet much" said.
There are pleasanter things" re-
sponded the Duke. land he is fairly
good shot"
Meantime the singing had started
again, and, looking through the chink.
saw that Bruce had got his eye on the
stovepipe again. While was looking
the Pilot slipped away from us to-
ward the door.
Come back!!" said the Duke. Don't
be n fool. Come back; he'll shoot you
dead!'
Moore paid no heed to him. but stood
waiting at the door. In few moments
Bruce blazed away again at the stove
pipe. Immediately the Pilot burst in.
calling out eagerly:
Ibid you get him?"
"No! said Bruce disappointedly.
"He lodged like the devil. as Of course
he ought. you know"
"I'll get him." said Moore; smoke
him out" proceeding to open the stove
door.
Stop screamed Bruce. Don't
open that door! It's full, tell you"
Moore paused. Besides" went on
Bruce. "smoke won't touch en-"
"Oh, that's all right" said Moore
coolly and with admirable quickness.
Wood smoke. you know: they can't
stand that"
This was apparently new idea in
demonology for Bruce. for he sank
back. while Moore lighted the fire and
put OIL the teakettle. He looked
round for the tea caddy.
up there" said Bruce. forgetting for
the moment his devils and pointing to
q quaint, old fashioned tea caddy upon
the shelf
Moore took it down, turned it in his
hands and looked at Bruce.
"Old country. eh?'
"My mothers" said Bruce soberly.
81 could have sworn it was my
aunt's in Ballymena,' said Moore.
"Aiy aunt lived in little stone cottage
with roses all over the front of it."
And on he went into an enthusiastic
description Of his early home. His
voice was full of music soft and sooth-
ing, and poor Bruce sank back and lis
tened. the glitter fading from his eyes.
The Duke and looked at each other.
mot too bad, eh:" said the Duke
after few moments silence
Lets put up the horses" suggest
ed. "They won't want us for half an
hour"
When we came in. the room had been
set In order, the teakettle was singing.
the bedclothes were Strengthened out,
and Moore had just finished washing
10 tot
neck.
"Just in tme," he said. Il didn't
like to tackle these" pointing to the
bandages.
All night long Moore soothed and
tended the sick man, now singing
softly to him and again beguiling him
with tales that meant nothing, but
that had strange power to quiet the
nervous restlessness due partly to the
pain of the wounded arm and partly to
the nerve wrecking from his months of
dissipation. The Duke seemed uncom.
Portable enough. He spoke to Bruce
once or twice. but the only answer was
q groan or curse. with an increase of
| restlessness.
Hell have close squeak" said the
Duke. The carelessness Of the tone
was little overdone. but the Pilot
was stirred up by 1t.
He has not been fortunate In his
n1ends," be said. looking straleht into
his eyes.
"A man easht to knov himself xbe,