The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1910-01-13
Idried in the gloomy depths Of the

the turn. Before him was a 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 grim smile of satisfaction.
THAT smoke means dinner
1t took him but a few minutes to
pass through the fringe Of woods. and
be paused in the shelter of a 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 1t curiously.
"Queer there amt nobody aroun',"
he muttered
"Mebbe they're in the cabin tryin'
ter get things out. Well. hits good
times any. I'll jes' wan him. an
then hit'll be one or t'other."
He stepped from the bushes and
gave loud shout Then he cooked
his rifle and waited.
| Somebody mus be ter home, or
| how'd the fire get started. They
shorely wouldn' set hit on purpose"
| He gave another shout and moved
slowly toward the cabin. A few mo-
ments and there came the frightened
wall Of an infant.
"A babyv' he cried wonderingly.
"Why don't the fools bring hit out?"
Then terrible thought occurred to
him. Perhaps they were all dead or
away. For moment he stood irreso-
lutte: then a quick flush OF pity drove
the anger from his face.
II amt fightin' babiesw And, drop
ping his rifle 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. A large
spring Of water bubbled up in front
Of the cabin. and the sight gave him
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
moment he rose and staggered on q
few steps and fell again. Before he
had reached the place where he had
left his rifle he had fallen three times.
The last time be 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 baby crawled out. The bfan.
kct was scorchcd and hlackencd. and
there were great holes which the fire
had made, but the baby was appar
emily unhurt. 1t gazed about curiously
for a moment and then crawled over
to the unconscious figure of the boy
ed the blistered face. A shudder ran
through the boys frame, and he open
ed his eyes, Then he rose slowly to his
feet.
"Sorter seems like tainted" hs
said in wondering voice. 81 thought
only gals did that. But l reckon Id
better be gettin' home n hev these
burns looked after Smart like they.
considerable bad. Lucky | kept my
eyes shet" low wall at his fee
drew his attention. Eyes. baby: In
goin' ter take you long O me-" ant
the ghost Of smile flickercd acros!
his blackened face. Seems like 20,
sorter belong ter me now low you
folks hev deserted you.'
He reached down. but as his bills
tered flesh came in contact with th'
baby he drew back. with low cry o
pain. Then. as though ashamed Of hi
weakness. he picked up the baby ant
his rife and walked quietly towart
the woods. But his progress was slow
At length he reached the sharp tur1
In the path AS he did so he fancie'
that he could hear some one comm,
up the mountain. A keen scrutin,
and he stepped quickly from sight.
"lts him." he muttered hercely
"Now wen settle hit fer good an all.
Moving back into the bushes. b
laid the baby upon a bed of leaves
, Then he returned and took up pos
tion behind rock.
The figure came on rapidly. Whe
It was within hailing distance Bo
, stepDed from his concealment
"You. Tom Petersr' he called sharT
, ly. "Is your gun loaded?"
, EYES," in startled accents from bt
low
, ''rhen aim N fire. Quick"
, Almost with the words came th
{ sharp report of rife. and bulle
, whistled past. The boy laughed d.
risively.
. "Now hits my turn" And b
E brought his rife Into position an
g took deliberate aim. But even as b
I pulled the trigger his strength faile
. him. He staggered weakly for MI
;. ment and then sank upon the groun'
+ The bullet few wide of its mark.
I Tom Peters came on deliberatel
: He was large, powerful man, with
t heavy beard and keen, restless eye
/ When he reached the PROSTATE figul
e of the boy he gazed down at him r
e gretfully.
r Il didn't low ter kill him." he sal
e and there was real concern in b
t voice. "But hit all come so sudden
' might have aimed closter'n though
n Well, be brought hit on himself. b