Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-15

master boatman under great haste his
arms lpiung now and then as the
paddle giinted and flashed across to
the opposite SIDE.
Rurnion gls need about hurriedly,
then cursed as he saw no place Of
concealment The Peterborough stood
out upon the bar consplcuously. as did
he and The girl. But the chance re-
ma med that this man, whoever he
was. would pass by, for his speed was
great. the river n mile In width and the
bend sharp Necia had cried Poleon's
name. but her companion saw no re-
semblance to the Frenchman in this
strange looking voyager. In fact, he
could not quite make out what was
pecuiiar about the man-perhaps his
eyes were not as sharp as hers--and
then he saw that the boatman was
walked TO the waist. BY now he was
drawing opposite them with the speed
of hound.
THE girl, gagged and held by her
captofs hands, struggled and moaned
despa ringly, and, crouching back of
the boat, they might have escaped dis
covcry in the gray morning light had
1t not been for the telltale fre-a tiny.
cracking blaze no larger than a mans
hat. 1t betrayed them. The dancing
craft upon which their eyes were
fixed whipped about, almost leaping
from the water at one stroke, then
came toward them. now nothing but n
narrow thing. half again the width of
mans body. The current carried It
down abreast of them. then past, and
Runnion rose. releasing the girl, who
cried out with al her might to the
boatman. He made no sound In reply
but drove his canoe shorcward with
quicker strokes. 1t was evident he
would effect his landing near the lower
end Of the spit, for now he was with
IN heari& distance and driving closer
every instant.
Necia heard the gambler call:
"Shecr Oft, Doretl You can't land
herew
She saw gun In Runnion's hand,
and terrible. sickcning fear swept
over her, for he was slowly walking
down the spit, keeping abreast OF the
canoe as It drifted.
Keep away or I'll frew threatened
Runnion again. and she screa med:
Don't try 1t. roleon! He'll XIII you!"
At her words Runnion raised his
weapon and fired She heard the
woods behind reverberatc with the
echoes Ike o sounding board, saw the
white squirt of smoke and the sliitter
Of the bullet as it went wide. 1t was a
long shot and had been fired as nnal
warning. but Doret made no outcry.
nor did he cease coming. Instead his
paddle Glove the water with The same
steady strokes that took every ounce
Of effort in his body. Runnion threw
open his gun and replaced the spent
shell. On came the careentng. crazy
craft in sidewise drift, and with it
the girl saw coming terrible ragedy.
She started to run down the graveled
ridge behind her enemy, not realizing
the value or moment Of her action nor
knowing clearly what she would do,
but as she drew near she saw Run
MON raise his gun again and without
thought of her own safety threw her
self upon him. Again his shot went
wide as be strove to hurl her off, but
his former taste Of her strength was
nothing to this now that she fought
for Poleon's life. Runnion snarled an
grily and thrust her away. for he had
waited till the canoe was close.
Let me 60, you devil" he cried and
aimed again. But again she ran at
him. This time, however, she did not
pit her strength against his, but paus-
ed and as he undertook to Are she
thrust at his elbow, then lodged out
OF his way. Her blow was crafty and
we'll timed. and his shot went wild
Again he took aim, and again she de
stroyed 1t with touch and danced
out Of his reach. She was nimble and
light and quickened now by cold
her.
Three times in all she thwarted
Runnion. while the canoe drove closer
every instant. On the fourth, as she
dashed at him, he struck to be rid Of
her, cursing wickedly-struck as he
would have struck at man. Silently
she crumpled up and fell. n ptiful
draggled, awkward little figure SPA wi
ed upon the rocks. But the delay
proved fatal to him, for though The
canoe was close against the bank ant
the huge man In it seemed to offer
mark too plain to he missed, he wa
too close to permit careful aim. Run
MON heard him giving utterance to {