The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-12-12

SLOW, crafty, COwaTGly, the SAVAGE in
his perverted nature becoming more
and more manifest 1t was more beast
than man that finally crept forward on
allfOurs, the eyes cleaning cruel as a
cats in the night Within q yard of
the peacefully slumbering man he
rose up, crOuching on his toes and
bending stealthily forward. possibly
feeling the close proximity of that h1r-
rible presence. Then the maniac took
one more stealthy, slOuchin% step
nearer. and flung himself at the ex-
posed throat, uttering a fierce smart as
his fingers clutched the soft flesh.
Hampton awoke, gasping and choking.
to find those mad eyes glaring into
his own, those murderous hands throt-
Ting him with the strength Of mad
ness.
At FIRST the stupefied, half-awaAened
man struggled as If in delirium. scarce
ly realizing the danger. He was
aware of suffering, Of horror. Of SUI
location. Then the brain flashed into
life, and he grappled fiercely with his
dread antagonist. Murphy snapped
like a mad dog, his lips snarling
curses; but Hampton fought silently.
desperately, his brain clearing as he
succeeded in wrenching those claws
from his lacerated throat, and forced
his way up on to one knee. He worked
his way, inch by inch, to his feet his
slender figure rigid as steel and closed
in upon the other, but Murphy writhed
out Of his grasp, as a snake might.
The younger man realized now to the
full his peril, and his hand slipped
down to tho gun upon his hip. There
was sudden CLINT in the faint star
light as he struck, and the stunned
maniac went down Quivering, and lay
motionless on the hard ground With
the quick decision OF one long accus-
toned to meet emergencies, Hampton
unbuckled the lariat from one of the
led animals and bound Murphy's hands
and limbs securely.
AS he worked he thought rapidly.
He comprehended the extreme des-
peration OF their present situation.
While the revolver blow might posi-
bly, restore Murphy to degree Of san
ity, it was far more probable that he
would awaken violent Yet he could
not deliberately leave this man to
meet fate of horror in the wilder
ness. That which would have been
quickly decided had he been alone be-
came a most serious problem when
considered in connection with the in
sane, helpless scout. Then, there were
the dispatches. They must be Of vital
ing Of Murphy forth on so dangerous
ride; other lives, ay, the result of
the entire campaign might depend
upon their early delivery. Hampton
had been a soldier, the spirit of the
service was still with him, and that
thought brought him to final decision.
Unless they were halted by Sioux bull
lets, they would push on toward the
Big Horn and Custer should have the
papers.
He knelt down beside Murphy, I'M
buckled the leather dispatch bag, and
rebuckled it across his own shoulder
Then he set to work to revive the
PROSTATE man. The eyes, when open
ed, stared up at him, wild and glazing;
the ugly face bore the expression of
abject fear. The man was no longer
violent; he had become a child. fright
ened at the dark
Securely strapping Murphy to his
saddle and packing all their remain
ing store of provisions upon one horse,
LEAVING the other to follow or remain
beh I'd as it pleased. he advanced di-
rec ~ into the hills, steering by aid
of he stars, his left hand ever on
n rphy's bride rein. his low voice of
Jostulation seeking to calm the 9th
8 S wild fancies and to curb his VIC
1T speech.
At dawn they were in a narrow
5orge among the hills, a dark and
gloomy hole, yet peculiarly safe spot
u which to hide, having steep, rocky
lodges on either side, with sufficient
grass for the horses. Leaving Murphy
bound, Hampton clambered up the
front Of the rock to where he was
able to look out. All was silent and
his heart sank as he surveyed the
brown sterile hills stretching to the
horizon, having merely narrow gulches
OF rock and sand between, the sheer
nakedness of the picture unreleved
by green shrub or any living thing
Then, almost despairing, he slid back,
stretched himself out amid the soft
grass, and sank into the slumber of ex-
haus-ion, his conscious memory the
incoherent babbling of his. insane
companion.
He awoke shortly after noon, feeling
refreshed and renewed in both body
and mind. Murphy was sleeping when
he first turned to look at him, but he
awoke in season to be fed, and &C.
cepted the proffered food with all the
apparent delight Of child. While he
rested, their remaining pack-animal
had strayed, and Hampton was COM
PEELED to go on with only the two
horses, strapping the depleted store
or provisions behind his own saddle.
Then he carefully hoisted Murphy into
place and bound his feet beneath the
animals belly, Then he resumed the
journey down one of those sand