The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-11-04

( Then he dropped upon his hands and
knees and crawled Stealthily around
the turn. Before him WAS sharp de
scent of few rods and beyond this
dense fringe of chestnut trees
Above the trees was a column Of black
smoke.
Hes cert'nly ter home" he said.
with a grim smile of satisfaction.
THAT smoke means dinner"
1t took him but few minutes to
pass through the fringe of woods. and
he paused in the shelter of large
clump of chinquapin bushes and glanc-
ed sharply around No one was in sight.
but the entire roof of the cabin was
in blaze. and smoke was coming
thickly from the door and windows
Bob gaZed at it curiOuSly.
Queer there amt nobody aroun', ~
he muttered
"Mebbe they're in the cabin tryir'
ter get things out Well. hits good
times amy. IN jeS' wan him. an
then hitll he one or t'other"
He stepped from the bushes and
gave loud shout Then he cooked
his rife and waited
Somebody mus he ter home, or
how'd the fire get started. They
shorely wouIdn' set hit on purpose. e"
He gave another shout and moved
slowly toward the cabin \ few mo
ments and there came the frightened
wall of an infant
"A baby" he cried wonderingly.
why don't the fools bring hit OUT"
Then terrible thought occurred to
him. Perhaps they We're all dead or
away. For a moment he stood irreso-
lutte; then Il quick flush of pity drove
the anger from his face.
Il amt fghtin' babieSr And, drop
ping his rife upon the ground, he sped
toward the cabin. Without a mo
ment's hesitation he dashed into the
wall of smoke and fame. But only
for an instant The heat was too
much for him. and he staggered out
weakly and half blinded. \ large
spring of water dubbed up in front
VI tLC NtJlil anu tllt SlSul gave UlIll
Il new idea. A quick bound took him
into the spring. and moment later
he once more rushed into the cabin
with the water streaming from his
clothing. This time he remained
longer. When he came out he carried
a small bundle in his arms. But al
most before he was beyond reach of
the flames he stumbled and fell. After
a moment he rose and staggered on a
few steps and fell again. Before he
had reached the place where he had
left his rife he had fallen three times
The last time he did not rise.
At last the small bundle which had
fallen upon the ground began to stir
a few frantic movements. and it open
ed. and a baby crawled out The blan-
ket was scorched and blackened and
there were great holes which the fire
had made. but the baby was appar-
emily unhurt. 1t gazed about curiously
for moment and then crawled over
to the unconscious figure of the boy.
After awhile it reached up and touch
-
through the boys frame and he open
ed his eyes. Then he rose slowly to his
feet
''Sorter seems like | tainted" he
said in a wondering voice. 81 thought
only gals did that. But | reckon ia
better be %ettin' home n hev these
burns looked after Smart like they's
considerable bad. Lucky | kept my
eyes shet." 4 low wall at his feet
drew his attention. Eyes. baby: I'm
goin' ter take you long O me-" and
the ghost of smile 1ickered across
his blackened face. Seems like you
sOrter belong ter me now. | low your
folks hey deserted you"
He reached down. but as his bis
tered flesh came in contact with the
baby he drew back. with a low cry of
pain. Then. as though ashamed Of his
weakness, he picked up the baby and
his rifle and walked quietly toward
the woods. But his progress was slow.
At length he reached the sharp turn
in the path. AS he did 50 he fancied
up the mountain. A keen scrutiny
and he stepped quickly from sight
ITS him. he muttered fierceiy.
"NOw Wen settle hit fer good an all"
Moving back into the bushes. he
laid the baby upon bed of leaves.
Then he returned and took up a posi-
ton behind a rock
The figure came on rapidly. When
it was within hailing distance Bob
stepped from his concealment.
You, Tom Peters, he called sharp
ly. rs your gun loaded?"
Yes in startled accents from be-
low.
Then aim N fire. Quickw
Almost with the words came the
sharp report Of rifle, and bullet
whistled past. The boy laughed de-
risively.
Now hits my turn" And he
brought his rifle into position and
took deliberate aim. But even as he
pulled the trigger his strength failed
him. He staggered weakly for a mo
ment and then sank upon the ground
The bullet few wide of its mark.
Tom Peters came on deliberately
He was a large DOWarful man with a