The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-08-12

HE LEANED LITTLE FORWARD, A HAND QUIvERING ON HIS KNIFE. never done that to another man,
 mseur. But it will never happen again.
 "I believe that it will-unless you kill me-
 And I shall not hesitate to kill you if I think that it is likely to happen | again. There are others who would
 kill you knowing that it has happened
 but once. But you must stop this talk,
 m'seur. If you persist I shall put the
 rawhide over your mouth again." And if I object-fght?" "You have given me your word of
 honor. Up here in the big snows the keeping of that word is our first law. If you break it will kill you"
 Good Lord, but you're a cheerful
 companion" exclaimed Rowland,
 aaughing in spite of himself. Do
 you know, Croisset, this whole situ- | ton has a good deal of humor as
 we'll as tragedy about it. I must be
 most important cuss, whoever l am.
 Ask me who am, Croisset." And who are you, m'seur?" ''I don't know, Jean. Fact, I don't. I used to think that was a most ann
 bilious young cub in big engineering
 esta ablishment down in Chicago. But
 guess was dreaming. Funny dream, l wasn't it? Thought came up here to build a road somewhere through these
 infernal-no, I mean these beautiful snows-but my mind must have been | wandering again. Hello! Are you go- | ing to start so SOonT'
 Right away, mseur," said Croisset,
 who was stirring up the dogs. Will
 you walk and run or ride?"
 Walk and run, with your permis- sion.''
 "You have it, m'seur, but if you at tempt to escape must shoot you. Run ! on the right of the dogs, even with me. I will take this side.'' Until Croisset stopped again in the
 middle of the afternoon Rowland | watched the backward trail for the l appearance of the second sledge, but l there was no sign of it. After their | second meal the journey was resumed
 and by referring occasionally to his compass Rowland observed that the trail was swinging gradually to the eastward. Long before dusk exhaus-
 tion compelled him to ride once more | on the sledge. Croisset seemed tire less, and under the early glow of the stars and the red moon he still led on the worn pack until at last it stop | ped on the summit of a mountainous | ridge, with a vast plain stretching l into the north as far as the eye could see through the white gloom. The ] half breed came back to where How land was seated on the sledge. "We are going but a little farther.
 m'seur," he said. "I must replace the
 rawhide over your mouth and the
 thongs about your wrists. I am sorry,
 but I will leave your legs free" Thanks" said Rowland. But real ly it is unnecessary, Croisset. l am properly subdued to the fact that fate is determined to play out this interest ing game of ball with me, and, no long
 CT knowing where am, promise you to do nothing more exciting than
 smoke my pipe if you will allow me to go along peaceably at your side.'' Croisset hesitated
 "You will not attempt to escape and
 you will hold your tongue?" he asked. "YeS" Jean drew forth his revolver and de- liberately cooked it.
 Bear in mind, m'seur, that I will kill you if you break your word. You may go ahead"
 And he pointed down the side of the
 mountain.
 Gro Be Contfnued.)