Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-29

Ss.SHssJ He had no hope of any one COM
ING to help him, and he grasped
whatever came to his hands.
With his left hand he seized the stick upon
which his bundle had been sung, while his
right hand clutehed the still smoldering cedar
bark torch, the ashes upon the end OF the
bark concealing the fire that yet remained.
Springing to his feet, he swung the torch
and club about his head, determined to die,
if die he must, game.
Instantly bright flame flashed up from
the torch, checking the savage onslaughts of
the wolves, who stand in deadly fear of fire.
A sudden hope filed the boys heart as
the fierce animals halted, only few PAGES
away, their eyes cleaning like live Goals,
their cruel fangs glistening in the faring
light.
With a courage born of desperation Rob
became the attacking party, the savage howls
changing to snarls and yels of terror, as the
cowardly pack fled in 6ssmay,.
Then the sounds, ceased entirely, and Rob,
trembling from the effects of his fright,
could scarcely realize his deliverance.
He drew his breath pantingy for few
moments, still waving his torch to and fro.
Then he picked up his bundle, and started
dence in himself after his narrow escape.
The sky was tinged with gray in the east
when he came to Mr.. Stoddards, and, as
daylight, advanced, the rising wind and lead
He found a heavily-loaded wagon stand
ing in the dooryard, with four stout horses
attached, and a dozen or more men loung-
ing about ready to start as soon as COM
manded to dc so.
Here comes the kid" said one of the
men. as Rob walked~slowly up to the team.
Whats yer name, sonny?' asked another,
dark. Misunderstanding man, with Short
black pipe held tightly between his teeth.
Robert Archer replied the boy, prompt
ly, his courage stimulated by his late en-
counter in the woods.
"Archer!" repeated the sinister.looking man,
peerns sSt down j into TO- the boys face in the
relation to Hugh Archer, be ye?"
"That is my fathers name," said Rob,
wondering at the mans curiosity.
"You hain't built much like him. He's
strong as an OK an smarter'n eatamount" /"
The man shrugged his broad shoulders as
he spoke, while a companion, with red hair
and thick neck, laughed derisively, and
said:
"You have good reason to think 40, Bill
The man called Bin seowled darkly' as he
IT know that mighty we'll He most
banged the life aut a. me less'n year
ago.;
,"You, were to blame, though" persisted
the red-haired man. "You was pickin' on
feller that want no match for YOU
What business was it O. hisn-or your'n u
end of the Penobscot River to the other.
Sometimes ! make it my business" said
Reddy, cooly, without asirn' questions"
Rob shrank back, the rude quarreling oi
the men iarring upon his sensitive feelings
but Bin called to him:
'fWhere's yer father now?' Bill asked, as
Rob came forward.
He's at home, sick. He got almost killed
a month ago by tree falling on him." an
swered Rob, timidly
Black Bill muttered something to the eg
feet that it was pity he had not been killee
outright; but at this moment Mr.. Stoddart
came out of the house.
stCome, boys" he said, addressing the men
some of whom were older than himself, e'it'
time we were starting. It's nigh on to thirt,
mile we've got to go, on part o. the way
the roads mighty rough"
Then he looked obviously up at the sky
'I'm feared it's goin' to rain, but we cam
wait on account of storm Start 'em up
Bill"
Black Bill clambered up to the high seat
Mr.. Stoddard and few of the older mer
got on top of the load. Knapsacks, valise.
and all sorts of bundles were secured on tn,
wagon, which was loaded with bobsleds
chains, axes and all kinds Of camp supplies
and then the little cavalcade started on it,
journey. the men fling along behind thu
ereaking wagon.
It was a novel experience to Rob Archer