The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1908-08-27
CHAPTER XXX
Alone with the Insane.


Murphys eyes remained Enclosed.
Whatever terrors may have dominated
that diseased brain. the one purpose
OF revenge and escape never deserted
II. 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 aetu.
ally slept. His every movement was
slow, crafty. cowarGly. the savage In
his perverted nature becoming more
and more manifest. II was more beast
than man that finally crept forward on
all-fours, the eyes cleaning cruel as n
cats in the night. Within = 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 al 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 glaring into
his own. those murderous hands thrOt.
Ting him with the strength Of mad
ness.
At first the stupefed. half-awakened
man struggled as II In delirium. scarce
ly realizing the danger. He was
aware OF suffering. of horror, OF SUI
location. Then the brain flashed in,N
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 20 one knee. He worked
his way, inch by inch. 20 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 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 20 meet emergencies, Hampton
unbuckled the lariat from one OF the
led animals and bound Murphy's hends
and limbs securely.
As he worked no 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, il was far more probable that he
would awaken violent. Yet he could
not deliberately leave this man 10
meet fate of horror in the wilder.
ness. That which would have been
quickly decided had he been alone DO
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
importance TO have required the send
ing OF Murphy forth on so dangerous
a ride; other lives, ay, the result OF
the entire campaign might depend
upon their early delivery. Hampton
had been a soldier. the spirit Of tina
service was still with him, and that
thought brought him to final decision.
Unless they were halted by Sioux bul
let's, they would push or toward the
Big Horn and Custer shofld have the
papers.
He knelt down beside Murphy. uD'
buckled the leather dispatch bag, and
rebuckled Il across his own shoulder
Then he set to work TO revive the
PROSTATE man. The eyes, when open
cd, 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 strapElng Murphy to his
saddle and packing all their remain
ing store Of provisions upon one horse,
leaving the other to follow OF remain
behind as 1t pleased. he advanced d.
rectly into tho hills. steering by aid
of tho stars. his left hand over on
Murphys bride sein, his low voice oil
expostulation seeking TO calm the 9th
er's wild fancies and to curb his VIC
lent speech.
CTo BE coNTINUED)