Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1908-03-21
CHAPTER xxx.
Alone with the Insane

Beneath the shade of uplifted arms
MurphyS eyes remained Enclosed
Whatever terrors may have dominated
that diseased brain, the one purpose
OF revenge and escape never deserted
It. With patient cunning he could
plan and wait, scheme and execute
He was al 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, cowarGly, 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
cats in the night. Within a 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 at the ex-
posed throat, uttering 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 stupef1ed, half-awakened
man struggled as if in deIirium scarce
ly realizing the danger. He was
aware of suffering, of horror, of suf-
location Then the brain flashed into
life, and he grapp1ed fiercely with his
dread antagonist. Murphy snapped
like mad dog, his lips snarling
desperately, his brain clearing as he
succeeded in wrenching those claws
from his lacerated throat, and forced
his way up on to one 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
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 to meet emergencies, Hampton
unbuckled the lariat from one of the
led animals and bound Murphy's hands
and limbs securely
As he worked he 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, 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
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
lets. 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
rebuckleG It across his own shoulder
Then he set to work to revive the
PROSTATE. man The eyes, when OPEN
ed, starsi up at him, wild and glaring'
the ug,.- face bore the expression or
abiect GEAR The man was no longer
violent, he had become child. fright
ened =: the dark
Securely strapping Murphy to ms
saddle and packing all their remain
ing store of provisions upon one horse,
leaving the other to follow or remain
bs,aind as it pleased, he advanced OIL
rSs,tIy into the hills, steering by aid
= the stars. his left hand ever on
xiurphy-s bride REIN his low voice OF
.xpostulation seeking to calm the 9TH
er,s wild fancies and to curb his vio-
lent speech
cTo BE CONTINUED