The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-08-06


slow, crafty, cowarcly, the savage in
his perverted nature becoming more
and more manifest. 1t was more beast
than man that finally crept forward on
all-fours, the eyes cleaning cruel as
cats in the night Within a yard of
the peacefully slumbering man he
rose up, crouching on his toes and
bending stealthily forward, possibly
feeling the close proximity of that hor
rible presence. Then the maniac took
one more stealthy, slouching step
nearer, and flung himself at the ex-
posed throat, uttering a fierce snarl as
his fingers clutched the soft flesh.
Hampton awoke, gasping and choking,
to find those mad eyes glazing into
his own, those murderous hands throt-
Ting him with the strength of mad
ness.
At first the stupefed, half-awakened
man struggled as if in delirium, scarce
ly realizing the danger. He was
aware of suffering, of horror, of suf-
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
Ia 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 the gun upon his hip. There
was q 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 a degree of san
ity it was far more probable that he
would awaken violent Yet he cOulC
not deliberately leave this man Il
meet a fate of horror in the wilder
ness. That which would have beer
quickly decided had he been alone be
came a most serious problem wheI
considered in connection with the in
the dispatches, They must be of vita
Importance TO have required the send
ing Of Murphy forth on so dangerous
a ride other lives. ay, the result o
the entire campaign might depent
upon their early delivery. Hampton
had been a soldier, the spirit of th
service was still with him. and tina
thought brought him to final decision
Unless they were halted by Sioux bul
lets, they would push on toward tn
Big Horn and Custer should have tn
papers.
He knelt down beside Murphy VI
buckled the leather dispatch bag, an
rebuckled it across his own shoulder
Then he set to work to revive tn
pFoSIr9te man. ne eyes when OpCA
ed. stared up at him, wild and glaring
the ugly face bore the expression c
AFFECT fear. The man was no longe
violent he had become a child. frigh
ened all the dark.
Securely strapping Murphy to hi
saddle and packing all their remair
ing store Of provisions upon one horse
leaving the other to follow or renal
behind as it pleased, he advanced d
rectly into the hills. steering by al
of the stars, his left hand ever o
Murphys bride rein. his low voice c