The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1908-06-12
CHAPTER Xxx.
Alma Nuith ~ tn1zAA

N'~ 49,
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 never deserted
1t. 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 was
slow, crafty, cowardly, the savage in
his perverted nature becoming more
and more manifest. 1t was more beast
than man that finally crept forward on
%all-fours, the eyes cleaning cruel as a
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 at the ex
posed throat, uttering a fierce snarl as
his fingers clutched the soft flesh.
Hampton awcke, gasping and choking,
to find those mad eyes glaring into
his own. those murderous hands throt-
thing him with the strength of mad.
ness.
At first the %stupefed, half.awakened
man struggled as if in delirium, scarce
ly realizing the danger. He was
aware of suffering, of horror, of suf-
location. Then the brain flashed into
life, n he grappled tiercely 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 w%renching those claws
from his lacerated throat, and forced
his way up on to N knee. He worked
his way, inch by inch, to his feet, his
slender figure rigid as steel and closed
in upon the other, but Murphy writhed
GU 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
m%otionless ON the hard ground. With
the quick decision of n long accus.
| toned to meet emergencies, Hampton
unbuckled the lariat from II of the
led animals and bound Murphy's hands
and limbs securely.
AS he worked he thought rapidly
He com%prehended the extreme des
| perat!on Of their present situation.
| While the revolver blow might posi-
| bly, restore Murphy to a degree Of san
ity, it 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 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 the
service was still with him, and that
thought brought him to final decision,
Unless they were halted by Sioux bull
let's, they would push on toward the
Big Horn and Custer should have the
papers.
He knelt down beside Murphy, I'M
buckled the leather dispatch bag, and
rebuckled it across his own shoulder
Then he set t work to revive the
PROSTATE man. The eyes,, when open
ed, stared up at him, wild and glaring;
the ugly face bore the expression o
abject fear. The man was no longer
violent; he had become a child. fright
ened at the dark.
Securely strapping Murphy to hi
saddle and packing all their remain
ing store of provisions upon n horse
leaving the other to follow or remain
behind as 1t pleased, he advanced di
rectly into the hills. steering by ale
of, the stars, his left hand ever OF
Murphy's bride rein. his low voice o
expostulation seeking to calm the 9th
er's wild fancies and to curb his vo
lent speech.
CTo BE CoNTINUED.)