The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1906-06-15

going up to him they discovered that the
blow had affected his brain, for he was
delirious. Frere endeavored to soothe
him, without effect, and at last, by
Bates advice, the poor fellow was rolled
in the sea. The cold bath Quelled his
violence, and being laid beneath the
shade of a rock hard by, he fell into a
condition of great muscular exhaustion,
and slept.
The condition of the unfortunate
Grimes soon gave cause for the greatest
uneasiness. From Numbering foolishly,
he had taken to absolute violence, and
had to be watched by Frere. After
much muttering and grooming, the poor
fellow at last dropped off to sleep, and
Frere. having assisted Bates to his sleep
ing place in front of the rock, and laid
him down on a heap of green brushwood.
prepared to snatch few hours slumber.
Wearied by excitement and the labors
of the day, he slept heavily, but toward
morning was awakened by strange
noise.
Grimes, whose delirium had apparent
ly increased. had succeeded in forcing
his way through the rude fence of brush
wood, and had thrown himself upon
Bates with the ferocity of insanity.
Growing to himself, he had seized the
unfortunate pilot by the throat, and the
pair were struggling together. Bates,
weakened by the sickness that had fol-
lowed upon his wound in the head, was
quite unable to cope with his desperate
assailant, but, calling feebly upon Frere
for help, he made shift to lay hold upon
the jackknife of which we have before
spoken. Frere, starting to his feet,
rushed to the assistance Of the pilot, but
was too late. Grimes, enraged by the
sight Of the knife, tore it from Bates
grasp, and, before Frere could catch his
nate mans breast.
I'm a dead mani" cried Bates, faint
ly.
Tho sight of the blood, together with
the exclamation of his victim, recalled
Grimes to consciousness. He looked in
bewilderment at the bloody weapon, and
then finging it from him, rushed away
toward the sea, into which he plunged
headlong.
Frere hurried to the side of Bates,
and, lifting him up, strove to stanch the
blood that flowed from his chest. 1t
would seem that he had been resting
himself on his left elbow, and that
Grimes, snatchinx the knife from his
right hand, had stabbed him twice in the
right breast. He was pale and senseless,
and Frere feared that the wound was
mortal. Tearing off his neck handker-
chief, he endeavored to bandage the
wound, but found that the strip Of silk
was insufficient for the purpose. The
noise had reused Mrs. Vickers, who,
off a portion of her dress, and with this
a bandage Of sufficient width was made.
Sylvia brought some water from the
spring, and Mrs. Vickers bathing Bates
head with this, he revived a little.
Don't die, Mr.. Bates-oh, don't diea'
said Sylvia. standing, piteously, near,
but afraid to touch him. Don't leave
mamma and me alone in this dreadful
place!"
Poor BITES, Of course, said nothing,
but Frere frowned heavily, and Mrs.
Vickers said reprsyingly, "Sylyiav jus.
as If they had been in the old house on
distant Sarah Island.
In the afternoon Frere went away to
drag together some wood for the fire, and
when he returned he found the pilot
near his end. As the sun sank Bates
rallied, but the two watchers knew that
It was but the final flicker of the expir-
ing candle. Hes going" said Frere,
at length, under his breath, as though
fearful Of awaking his half-slumbering
soul. Mrs. Vickers, her eyes streaming
with silent tears, lifted the honest head
<An kaJ l.
soaked handkerchief. A tremor shook
the once stalwart limbs, and the dying
man opened his eyes. For an instant
he seemed bewildered, and then. looking
from one to the other, intelligence re-
turned to his glance, and 1t was evident
that he remembered all. His gaze rested
upon the pale face Of the affrighted Syl-
via, and then turned to Frere. There
could be no mistaking the mute. appeal
of those eloquent eyes.
Eyes, I'll talse care of her." said Frere.
Bates smiled, and then observing that
the blood from his wound had stained
the white shawl of Mrs. Vickers. he
made an effort to move his head. 1t
was not fitting that a hdy's shawl
should be stained with the blood Of a
poor fellow like himself. Tho fashion
able fribble, with quick instinct. under
stood the gesture, and gently drew the
head back upon her bosom. In the pres
ence Of death the woman was womanly.
For q moment all was silent, and they
thought he had gone; but all at once he
opened his eyes, and looked round for
the sea. Ito be continued.I