Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1907-11-08

0NO aDScOnu from aSSlRntU SERVICE
was to break yet another law
Of the land of bondage. And,
though he little knew II, but
cared less, Tom Erickson was now la
BILE to further transportation. even to
Norfolk island, and that for life.
Six months in a chain gang was, how
ever, likelier term. He might even
get off with another fifty lashes and
doubtless would If he fell alive into the
ruthless hands through which he had
slipped Mt last. He set bis teeth at
the thought. It should never be. They
might take his body-there would be
one or two more to 80 with 1t when
they did.
The stars were Still sharp in the sky.
They remained SO for some hours long
er when breath Of wind blew them
out like candles. and day broke. or.
rather, burst, like shell.
Meanwhile Tom had struck a creek,
waded mile in 1t to destroy the scent,
waded within q stones throw Of Jar.
mans hut, turned tail in a panic and
waded back, and miles farther. in the
opposite direction. In the creek also
be slaked his thirst and laved his
wounds. He had turned his back on
1t when the sun rose. And toward the
rising sun he run and ran until there
was great belt of blue beneath It In
the sky. then hid for the day in tiny
clump Of trees In the midst Of an open
plain.
Here he slept for hours, yet dreamed
but one dream-Of baying dogs and
cantering hOofs. When he awoke, the
first sound was actually audible, but
far away and growing fainter. 1t pass
ed altogether, and he fell asleep again.
Awaking second time, he found the
stars back in the sky, but as yet no
moon. And Tom was deadly faint for
lack Of food.
Also his wounds were so stiff that he
could scarcely stir, every movement
causing him pain. Yet he struggled up
and tOttered east. with those five fixed
stars shining feebly upon his wan
right cheek and haggard profile.
How long this continued Tom could
never tell. 1t might have been hours
later or only minutes that seemed like
hours when the climax came. All he
ever knew was that his head was by
this time very light, and that the moon
was no higher than the trees when 1t
shone upon the stray wether bleating
piteously in his path. which was to
stand out terribly In his mind ever
inter. Yet up to that moment forty
hours fast had been broken but once
with sandwiches. 1t was either this or
lingering death.
The moon won clear of the trees. 1t
shone into the glutted eyes and on the
blood caked mouth and fingers Of as
desperate and abandoned young con-
Wet as the settlement contained.
He pushed on now with a new and
dreadful energy. He thought he smelt
the sea. The country. however, was
still we'll timbered, and instinctively
rather than with conscious precaution
the fugitive made his line where the
trees were thickest. He was now
steering jealousy by the moon, with
his head thrown farther back the high.
er 1t sailed. Thus it was that q little
later he tripod and staggered without
seeing what it was that had caught his
foot, but 1t felt peculiar, and after a
moment he turned round, stood still
and went back.
1t weS the dead body Of q man.
The body had not rag upon It.
Tom knelt to examine 1t by the
moonlight, and q cold thrill ran down
him. which he resented when he had
time to think. 1t showed there was