The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-06-22

| tied past him, and then came to an
abrupt halt.
From the time of entering the wood
the two daring highwaymen saw moth.
ing of their pursuers; but, compre-
hending the danger of remaining in
locality where their presence was
known, they still held on, over hill and
valley, across streams and fields, and
through belts of timber and brush
wood for distance Of ten long,
fatiguing miles; when at last as they
the strength of Thunderbolt gave out,
and he suddenly fell down in DEATH
like swoon.
"Oh, Lord of mercy! He is either
dying or dead!" cried his frightened
companion, as he dropped down by
his side and felt for his pulse and the
beat of his heart ''Oh, captain, for
the love of Heaven don't die now.
just as we have reached place Of
safety" he walled.
Thunderbolt was not dead, though
his face had CHASTITY look and his
breath was suspended.
Lightfoot vigorously chafed his
face and hands, all the time calling
upon him in endearing terms to come
back to life.
AS II in answer to this prayer, the
prostrate man presently revived lit
tie, and said, in faint, catching
voice.
-pocket-bottle."
Lghtfoot rapidly passed his hands
over his companions ragged dress till
he felt hard substance that proved
to be a small bottle, which he drew
out and uncorked.
With an effort Thunderbolt took
this in his hand, smelt of the liquid
1t contained, but few drops on his
tongue, and then, pouring some into
his hand, rubbed it over his head.
ut is the elixir Of life," he said
with reviving smile, "and feel bet
ter and stronger already. Didn't we
have a run for 1t, my boy? But that
cursed bullet is in my calf yet, and 1t
must be cut out. Come, my lad, let
|
will make. Out with your knife and
set to work"
"But l am no surgeon" returned
Lghtfoot, deprecatingly.
"I'll make you one, then. Don't be
afraid, my boy You're not going to
carve a pulling infant. You'll find me
doctor who understands my own
case, and also quiet patient to work
on. Down with you-fnd the lead,
cut as near to 1t as possible, and don't
mind a little blood, | can afford to
lose a good deal more than you'll
draw"
Thus urged by his brave comrade,
Lightfoot set to work, and, finding
his friend did not finch, he proceeded
to cut away the flesh from around the
bullet, till at last he extracted it.
"Bravo!" said Thunderbolt. II
knew you could do it. Now I will
dress the wound myself"
This he did; but he was not able to
walk another step that day.
"T must have rest" he said, "and do
without food till the inflammatory
stage is over"
Lghtfoot cut down some bushes,
made his friend a bed in the thicket
and remained by his side, without
anything to eat or drink, for more
than twenty-four hours.
The second night Lightfoot went
in search of food and returned with
couple of turkeys which he had
stolen from fowl-house.
With his pistol he started a fire,
roasted one of the fowls, and ate raw
enously himself; but he could not pre-
vail upon Thunderbolt to touch a NOR
sci.
"Im nearly starved said the self.
denying highwayman, "but If the rich.
est banquet in the world spread before
me would not indulge in even a
taste, knowing, as l do that total alb
stinence is the shortest road to con.
valescence."
They remained at this place for two
days more, and then Thunderbolt
found himself able to walk a little,
with Lightfoot's assistance.
Subsequently. ,ightfoot left his
companion concealed in wood, while
he alone proceeded to a small village
where from an apothecary he pro-
cured such medicines as Thunderbolt
directed him to get.
After this the two highwaymen kept
themselves concealed and almost
starving for two or three weeks, by
which time Thunderbolt had so far
recovered that he could walk briskly
with a slight limp.
The two rascals now considered
themselves in good condition for new
adventures, and went plunging for.
ward into new exploits and crimes, as
If they knew themselves possessed OF
charmed lives.-New York Weekly.