The new South-news., 1908-05-16

ft-F. tlffFt ff iNfN'f 'ft' '"'
appeared great tavny beasts. with
long legs ead lean aides. looking. in
deed. more like wolves than Ike
pigs.
See how they keep the little ones
behind said nr. Purdy.
The drove had formed a crescent,
which advanced with its hollow side
toward Wolf The dog stood menae-
ing them with barred teeth. but that
even he was frightened was apparent
from his taking the defensive. Sud
denly the fosming. rabid animals that
formed the horns OF the half-moon
closed ia behind the dog. and with
saueais OF rage threw themselves
upon him.
Come up here'" commanded the
trappcr. grasping jim's shoulder and
vhlrllns him toward the tree. nm
be our turn next"
Probably Jim saw the need of
fight. His face was as white ns his
companions as he clambcred ont
along tho aioping trunk OF the bass
wood 10 a place whore he could steady
himself and BUDDY by throwing one
arm round branch. when he
looked toward the pumpkin-secds.
Wolf had disappeared. and the bru'os
were tearing something that might
have been an empty sack or even
pile Of leaves
Arterward they came In ramb-
ling line toward the tree where the
men had found shelter. Al its base
they paused and stared mp. their
little eyes shining red and green
aa the lust for blood surged through
their dwarfcd brains Jim raised
both hammers OF his big shotgun
and planted its stock against his
shoulder
Now" he muttered. "I1l put
some of you where you won't kill
any more dogs'"
Probably he would have done no
had not Mr.. Purdy grasped the bar
rel OF the gun and hold 1t toward tho
water. III you shoot one OF them.
theyll stay here TIL we staryc and
drop out OF the tree" he said. Walt.
They'll keep us hero long enough.
anyhow"
The pigs might have been forgot
ten their grievance " they had not
seen Buddy. But at sight OF his
square. muscular body, Quivering
with cagerness to get down and set
tie In his own fashion the matter of
the right OF way. they bristicd and
slnealcd with renewed anger.
Mr.. Purdy glanced toward the end
branch OF the Eastwood. Cant get
farther out" said he There you
come knew you'd DO IT."
A hog whose long, shark-like muz-
zle was lathcred with foam. had run
up the trunk. but had slipped and
fallen. As he splashed into the
swIrling water. bobbed under for a
moment. and then reappeared. to set
out clumsly for the other side. the
rest of the drove edged away from
the steep bank. For while they
stood champing their Jaws ana peer
Ing NJ Into tha tree, and at uigbt oi
their hidrnu. tnccs MI. rurdy Shiv
cred and edged out on his branch
white Jim stood sullcnly and defled
them with hot eyes. Then. Just as
the old mans fingers were working
nervously at the hammers OF his gun
a pumpkin-seed ran straight for the
foot OF the tree and ran up its
rough. scored trunk.
Knock him on with your gum
shouted tho trapper.
But the pig was too close for suci
tactics. Indeed. so rapid had beer
his charge that he was already within
/ reach of Buddy. at whom he snapped
, with a quick. snarling lunge. At tn
samc instant Buddy closed his teetl
on the f,eshy nose OF the pumpkin
a seed. There was a piercing sQuea
, as the animal tried to free himself
I and after a short struggle. dog an
c hog dropped from the tree.
= THAT critterll remember the las
time he tackled Buddy!" Jim shou,
y ed, forgetting his peril in Joy at tn
!. pigs dilemma.
q When the combatants came to tn
II surface. Buddy wss still holding HI
II enemy by the nose. Even tho shoe
OF cold water had failed to loose
le his grip. and as the two fioated ava
the dog. at least, seemed happy. IT
81 other pigs trotted along the hanl
but evidently were unwilling
Sc plunge into the water for the sal
of helping their companion.
to "Now's our chanoe," Mr.. Pure
10 said. exciteiIy. as he saw the dro'
m sweep into the brush Of the interset
IN ing creek. They'll follow tn Bu
OF dy and his friend drown or 40
us ashore. Let's run for It," Tn
scrambled down. and In Ave minut
a. had covered SO much country tn
'd' they felt safe in slowing to walk
er Two hours later they reached Z
Crawford homestead: and while tn
10 were eating supper. rejoicing becau
ne they had not shared the fate OF W,
nd and Buddy. and mourning becau