The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1908-10-22

biu you heai ~ iV""'S eO"
Mike.
1T was that same dream dog Of
yours. Mike"
Then. by golly. Il wasn't dream
after all. was e? II sounds just like
Il sounded last night" The barking
OF the dog sounded nearer and nearer.
and the two secluded themselves.
IT'S lucky we hid the boat in the
grass" said Jerry.
"Oh. an Athlone man thinks OF a
thing or two" whispered Mike.
Presently they saw big dog run up
the bank. barking as though in play,
and then plunged into the water. AS
II swan back TO the bank an old man.
bent with age, moving slowly. ap-
peared in view.
That's the old divil." whispered
Mike, and now can get look at his
face. by golly. he must be 1000
years old. and Ill bet he don't weigh
16 pounds. Did you ever see such a
skinny old cuss?"
A few minutes later the old man
reached a spot within 20 feet OF where
the boat was hidden. and sat down la
boriously. In faint. trembling Span
ish he talked to the dog.
Yes. you shall have food" said
he, his arms around the dripping dogs
neck, "and you shall have sport. But
what are you going to do when old
Jose Is gone. faithful brother? Who
will play with you then? Who will
get you FISH and game7 Who will help
you" Here he brought his hands TO
HIS eyes and shook with sobs. With
great labor he got to his feet and
started to retrace his steps. Jerry and
Mike picked their way after him, go
ing through dense underbrush, and.
to their surprise, they soon reached
pathway. They no longer heard the
barking Of the dog.
Let us follow this path" sug
gested Jerry. and a moment later he
was leading Mike through the brush
alongside the crooked pathway. After
half an hour they came to an open
space, and the path was lost.
Now, where do you suppose the old
divil WHIT" said Mike. scratching his
head. There's nothin' afore us now
but the mountains, and We don't know
which way to 60"
They decided to lie in wait another
time for the old man and to station
themselves near the opening In the
underbrush. When they returned to
the camp they tried to figure out who
the man could be and what he was do
ing In this part of the country. far
away from any habitation and. judg-
ing from the words they had heard
him speak. with only his dog for a
companion.
For three days. from the first sign
OF dawn TO the fall OF night. one or
the other was stationed at a spot i'm
mediately across the river from the be-
ginning OF the pathway In the bushes.
But not once did the old man or his
dog appear.
Il guess wen have to go out and
hunt him ourselves" said Mike. He
don't seem 10 be comm our way him
self" i..
Early in the morning Of the fourth
day Jerry and Mike, armed with re-
yolvers. started out to find the old
man. They had walked about 100
yards when they came to two paths,
one turning abruptly into much heav'
Ter underground.
This Is a new one" said Mike, "and
| the chances are he didn't follow the
other at all whin we saw him"
They followed the new-found way
for several hundred yards. finally
coming to another open spot. Again
the path was lost.
Now, what do you think o. THAR
said Mike, clearly nonplused. IF he
had gone 10 the mountains he'd "a left
some prints in the sand. but there
amt a sign OF a foot"
THE chances are. Mike" said Jerry
that he turned of the path some
where back In the bushes. Let's &c
back that way and keep our eyes oper
WIDER ~
They retraced their steps about 1O'
feet when Jerry suddenly stopped and
clutched Mixes arm.
''Hear?" he whispered.
"It's a groan," answered Mike. 'It'i
to our right. Hear? There 1t goei
again. It's the old dlvil! What shall
we do?"
Lets fnd out" said Jerry. and 4
must be confessed that his finger
were very nervous when he grippe'
his revolver tighter They picke'
their way through the bushes, thu
moaning of the man becoming loude
and more distinct. Presently the.
emerged 20 find themselves within 2
feet Of a thatched-roofed adobe.
Hello, there!" Jerry sang out.
The only answer was a moan.
Who's there? What's the matter?
cried out Mike.
Again a moan for an answer.
Something's the matter with him,
said Jerry, and he went up TO tn
: door OF the adobe. Stretched out OF
the ground lay the old man, his fac
bearing expressions OF great pain an
suffering. Beside him lay the dog
! dead