The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1908-03-12
cHAPrER Xxx.
Alone with the Insane.

Alone with the Insane.
Beneath the shade Of uplifted arms
Murphy's eyes remained Enclosed.
Whatever terrors may have dominated
that diseased brain. the one purpose
OF revenge and escape deserted
Il. With patient cunning he could
plan and wait, scheme and execute
He was all animal now. dreaming only
Of how to tear and kill.
He was many minutes thoroughly.
satisfying himself that Hampton actu-
ally slept. His every movement vas
slow. crafty, cowar6ly. the savage in
his perverted natur becoming more
and more manifest. Il was more beast
than man that finally crept forward on
a%il-fours, the eyes cleaning cruel as a
cats in the night, Within a yard of
the peacefully slumbering man he
rose up, %crouching on his toes aud
bending stealthily forward, possibly
feeling the close proximity Of that hor
rible presence. Then the maniac took
n more stealthy, slouching step
nearer, and flung himself at the ak
posed throat. uttering a fierce snRrl 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.
thing him with the strength OF mad.
ness.
At first the stupeied, half-awakened
man struggled as II In delirium. scarce.
~ realizing the danger. He was
aware OF suffering. OF horror. OF SUI.
location. Then the brain flashed into
life. and he grappled hercely 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 10 one knee. He worked
his way. inch by inch. 10 his feet. his
slender figure rigid as steel and closed
in upon the other, but Murphy writhed
out OF his grasp, IS q 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 a 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 q degree OF san
ity. II was FAR more probable that he
would awaken violent. Yet he could
not deliberately leave this man TO
meet a 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 10 connection with the In.
sane. helpless scout. Then. there were
the dispatchesi They must be OF vital
Importance 10 have required the send.
ing Of Murphy forth on 30 dangerous
a ride; other lives, ay. the result OF
the entire campaign might depend
upon their early delivery. Hampton
had beer a soldier. the spirit OF the
service was stll with him. and that
thought brought him 60 final decision.
Unless they were halted by Sioux bul.
lets. they would push on toward the
Big Horn and Custer should have the
papers.
He knelt down beside Murphy. un.
buckled the leather dispatch bag. and
rebucklef u across his wi shoulder.
Then he set 10 work 10 revive the
PROSTATE man. The eye when open.
ed. starai up at him. wild and giaring;
the ug.. face bore the expression ui
abject scar. The man was no longer
violent. he had become a child, fright.
ened $ the dark.
se,arely strapping Murphy 20 his
saddle and packing an their reualn.
Ing store OF provisions upon n horse.
leasing the other 10 follow or remain
behind as Il pleased, he advanced d.
ts,tly into the hills. steering by aid
- tho stars. his left hand eyer on
Murphy's bride rein, his low voice Of
axpostuiation seeking TO calm the 9th
er's wild fancies and TO curb his VIC
lent speech.
CTo BE cuNrINUEDJ