The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1908-12-18
CHAPTER XXI.

0ut ln9ufy. before following MIN IN MI
digit, No will pause to inquire how th,
fobber, unexpectedly taken captive, Jared
Nothing could have surprised Jacl
more than this sudden turning Of tbs to-
olez But 4 minute since Walter was
completely n his power. Now. through
the bays GOODNESS and nerve. his thievish
Intentions were bafied, and he was plac.
~ IN the humiliating position Of . pris-
oner IA his own house.
Open the door. or I'll murder you T.
he roared. kicking it violently.
There was no reply, for Walter was
already half way out Of the window, end
had proceeded half q mile when be stop
Ped to rest. Two or three times he had
trfpped over projecting roots which the
darkness prevented hin seeing In time to
avoid.
aTn rest : few minutes, and then push
on" he thought.
It was ,late, but the excitement Of his
position prevented him from feeling
sleepy. He wished to get out Of the
woods into some road or open field, where
be would be in less danger Of encounter
ing Jack, and where perhaps he might
and assistance against him.
BE vas leaning against an tmmense
tree, one Of the largest and Oldest In the
forest. Walter began to examine It. He
discovered, By feeling, that It was hollow
inside. He ascsrtained that the interior
was eaten out By gradual decay. making
= large hollow space inside.
II shouldn't wonder IL I could get In"
Be said to himself.
He made the attempt, and found that
hs wa correct In his superstition. He
easily stand s~act inside.
Sat u cur7oux,- thought Walter.
s.Thp tree must be very old"
H. emerged from the trunk, and once
morn threw himself down beside It. Five
minutes Aster and his attention was
drawn = ! sound Of approaching foot
scerD. Jack had tripped over q root and
wal picking himself up in no very good
humor. The enemy. 1t appeared, was
close upon him.
Waller started to his feet In dismay.
Hfs first thought was immediate flight,
but Il he were heard BY Jack, the latter
would no doubt be able to run him down.
What shall 1 dol" thought Walter.
In alarm.
Quickly the hollow trunk occurred to
Sim, With as little delay as possible he
concealed himself In the interior. He
was just in time, for Jack was by this
time only a few rods distant. Walter
counted upon his passing on; but On
reaching the old tree Jack paused, and
said aloud, "Where can the young rascal
be2 I wonder II I have passed him7 I'll
rest here I've minutes. He may straggle
along"
With these words be sank upon the
ground, IN the very same place where
Waiter had been reclining two minutes
before. He was 70 rear that our hero
could have put out bis hand and touched
him,
RI MA certainly a very uncomfortable
5Ntuatisn for Walter. He hardly dared to
breathe or to stir lest his enemy should
hear him.
"He's led mo q pretty tramp" NUT
tered Jack. but I'm bound to get held
Of him tonight. II I do, III half kill
him"
''Then l hope you wont get hold Of
him," Walter calculated, inwardly.
l10 Akdk1u " WELL ~ anu Guu vi II
stead Of seeking this concealment. In the
first csse, the darkness Of the night would
hays favored him. and even IL Jack had
heard him It was by no means certain
that he would have caught him. Now an
unlucky movement or q cough would be-
tray his hiding place, and there would
be no chance Of escape. he began to feel
his constrained position ,rksome. but did
MT dare 70 re relief " change II pos
&urs.
Il wish he'd 90" gkeuskt q here.
But Jack was In M hurry. He ap-
Seared b wish to wayiay Walter, and
was constantly listening to catch the
sound Of bis approach. At length Wal
ter was relieved to hear him say, well,
shan't catch him by stopping here
that's sure"
Then he started, and Waiter, listening
intent1y, heard the sound Of his receding
steps. When sufficient time had elapsed.
hA venturcd out from his cpncealment.
and stopped to consider the situation.
What should he do? 1t was hardly
prudent to so on, for 1t would only bring
him nearer the enemy. II be ventured
back, he would be farther away from the
edge Of the woods, and might encounter
Meg, who might also be In pursuit. He
did not feel In danger OF capture from
this quarter, but the woman might find
means ct communicating with her hus-
band. On the whole, It seemed safest, for
the present, at least. to stick TO the friend
iy tree which had proved SO good a pro
tsctor. He stood beside II, watching
carefully, intending. whenever peril
threatened, to take instant refuge inside,
This was not particularly satisfactory,
but he hoped Jack would soon tire Of
the pursuit, and retrace his steps to-
ward the cabin. II he should do that,
he would then be safe In continuing his
eight.
Jack pushed On, believing that our hero
was In advance. II had been a ~eatiguing
day, and this made his present midnight
tramp more disagreeabls. His hopes oil
overtakine Walter became fainter and
fainter, and nature began to assert her
rights. A drowsiness which he found II
hard to combat assaiIed him, and he
knew be must yield to 1t for q time at
least.
Il wish I was at home, and In bed
he muttered. .@Iu lie down and take q
short map. and then start again"
He threw himself on the ground, and
49,