Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1906-04-23

came on at lull speed
Il will stop his barking" observed AL
Ian. cooking his rife.
"Take good aim." said Kenton, aux-
iously.
BE calm. l am always seIfpossessed
in the hour of danger. l am called
good shot, also"
Our hero took deliberate aim and fired
at the dog: he fell. and they heard a
rnstling among the leaves, produced by
his death struggles.
Twas coolly done" remarked Ken.
ton. Sand now let us change our course
once more. When you find strong grape
vines that have climbed tall trees. lay
hold of them aud swing yourself forward
as far as possible. in order to break
the trail. l will set the example"
They had gone but a short distance
from tho spot before an opportunity
offered to try this experiment. Kenton
grasped the vine with both his hands,
as well as his wounded arm would per-
init. and swung himself forward dis
lance of several yards. and striking upon
very rocky soil. his feet left no pcrcep-
tihle imprint. Allan followed his exam
pie. with similar results, and then both
ran for life. for they heard the saw
ages approaching.
All the various articles to baffi pur.
suit were resorted to: but when the par
ties paused, ready to fall down with
exhaustion. the sound of the savage
horde came family to their ears through
the intervening distance.
II cannot continue this much longer"
said Kenton. my strength is failing
Int
ii you try to save me, both will perish.
L will await here the coming of the In
dams. My rifle and pistols are loaded,
and | shall kill the first that appears.
Yes, l shall have the pleasure of three
good shots before | die"
Without making any reply. Allan plac-
ed his ear to the earth. and listened
with breathless interest. He heard ap.
preaching steps. and knew the elastic
bounding tread Of the red men. He
grasped his rifle firmly, stood moment
in thought, and looked earnestly at his
friend.
'My dear Kenton." exclaimed Allan,
Il would not desert so bold and heroic
a comrade for thousand worlds; no,
not to save my life. Trust to me. and
we will both escape, or fall side by side.
My plan is formed: proceed as fast as
you are able, and 1 will soon overtake
you"
"But this generosity is madness: by
| giving your life to yOnder yelling de-
| mons, you will not prolons mine five
Enthusiastically as many seconds"
cried Kenton.
II do not value existence SO lightly
hat / IN ID
without a chance of success. So go for.
ward. in heavens name!" said Allan.
81 WILL" replied Kcnton. sOrrOwfully.
1--WE may never meet again; farewell"
With fearful eyes. aud heart melted
and subdued, the forester arose to his
feet. and making Il desperate effort, stag
grred on with speed that surprised
Norwood. The latter threw himself
| upon the ground among the rank shrub
berry. lie laid his rifle beside him, and
drew his hunting knife from his belt
| The light. bounding footsteps which he
| had heard. came more distinctly to his
| anxious ears.
BY the sounds which he had heard he
| judged that one Of the pursuers was far
| in advance of all the rest. If that CON
| clusion was just. he could wait for the
| foremost savage to come up. and then
| Stay him on the spot. In the event that
| there shonld prove to be more than one.
| it would only remain for him to do the
best he could. and leave all to the Great
| Disposer of events.
Aiian's eyes were turned with intense
| interest toward the spot where painted
| face or faces. were expected to appear
| One moment more of brea thless expecta.
ton. and gigantic Indian sprang into
view. lie was darting onward like a
bloodhound. painting with cxcrtion. In
his right hand he held his gum and his
| eyes were fixed with fearful eagerness
upon the trail, casting occasionally keen
and sweeping glances into the forest be.
| You'd.
| lie came on: he was flying past the
| spot where the bold hunter lay. The
| latter bounded up. ieaping upon the saw
| age like II young iion--the hunting knife
| flashed in the first faint beams of the
morning. aud then sank deep in the red
| mans breast. A hollow groan was Civ.
en- to the gentle winds. and the pursuer
had run his race. The athletic limbs
| quivcred an instant and all was still.
| Allan thrust his crimson blade into its
| sheath, cast one look HC tnc quiet out
lines of the body. aud then left the spot
with hasly tread. He overlook Ken
ton. who was dragging his exhausted
frame along. When he heard steps be-
hind him he turned about and cooked
his rifle. thinking the savages were upon
him; but saw instead the resOlute face
| of our hero.
"My dear Norwood" he cried. while
large tears rolled down his sunburnt
cheeks. II never expected to see you
again on earth. What have you done?''
II have slain the leader of the pur-
suit; | have sent him on the eternal
trail that no warrior ever retraced.'
you have done well; the next half
hour will decide this question of life
or DEATH" returned Kenton.
Il know it; now lean on me. and we
will battle them yet. Here is brook
we will walk in tit may break the
trail"
BY Norwood's help Kenton was able
to proceed. They doubled on their own
tracks: they changed their direction
many times: and when the sun was an
hour high, no sound of pursuit could
be heard. and they began to hope that
the savages were At fault. or had aban-
, s,,:.,~ rIN