The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1912-11-22

Inord some degree OF shelter. II you
will rest here. In the shadow OF these
.rees, will soon discover whether 1t
has inmates or not"
She followed me in silence across
Me road TO the spot designated, but as
[ turned to leave her seated upon the
grass, and well protected from prying
eyes. she hurried quickly after me.
and in her agitation so far forgot her
self as to touch my sleeve with her
hand.
"Oh, please do not leave me here
Rlone. am not naturally timid, yet
everything 10 90 gloomy cannot stand
1t Let me 60 with you, II you must
COL"
Most assurediy you shall II you de-
sire" returned heartily.
There appeared before US dim, lit
tle-used path leading in among the
trees. and following It's erratic curves
We were soon before the cabin, which
grew even moro uninviting as we
drew near. Az paused moment be-
fore tho closed door, In order that I
might listen for any possible sound
within. could hear her quick breath
ing. a. though the terror OF the mo
ment had driven all else from her
mind. The wooden latch yielded
readily enough TO my pressure, and
pushing wide open the door, which
creaked slightly upon its rusty hinges,
I stepped across the puncheon TIRES
hold onto the hard earthen floor. There
was no window visible. and the slight
reflection OF moonlight which crept
in through the doorway scarcely re-
vealed the nature OF that dark inter-
Tor. could dimly perceive what be-
lieved to be table directly in front Of
me, while certain other indistinct and
I'll defined shadows might be chairs
pushed back against the wall. At least
this room was without occupants; yet
It was with every sense alert that l
entered. pressing slowly past the table
toward where felt the fireplace
would naturally be. knowing that my
companion was yet with me, her hand
clutching my arm.
"oh!" she cried sharply In terror,
what was that?"
It was something certainly-a dead
ened. mufied. shuffling sound directly
in our front, followed by strange
noise OF scraping, as II with dull
knife on wood.
Wait here said sternly. Prob
ably It is nothing more dangerous
than a rat"
felt my way carefully around the
table. revolver ready In my hand.
There was nothing to be found there
nothing. indeed. in the room; for
from my new position I could look
backward and distinguish in the moon.
light the details OF that simple,
squalid interior. ran my hands
along tho rough logs Of the further
wall. Ayl here was . break, doubt.
less a door; and cropping along the
crack found the latch.
There was no. longer any noise
audible. and drew the door inward,
never dreaming Of danger. Suddenly
with q fierce, wild spring out OF the
dark, huge body hurled itself d.
rectly at my throat, striking with such
headlong impetus that l went back
ward as II shot, crashing against the
table. then to the floor. dropping my
weapon as fell. There was no noise
no sound, while for an instant, with
strength OF sheer desperation. l held
back the swapping jaws that breathed
hot IRE into my very face. With q
bound backward Of its great body the
beast jerked free from my grip. and
the next instant had sunk fits dripping
fangs. deep and hard. into the flesh
OF my shoulder. As the intense pain
shot through me. my right hand
driven with all the force could mus
| ter caught the monster once, twice
full In the throat, but tighter and
tighter those clinched jaws locked
until It seemed as II every bone be
tween them must be ground to pow
der. Even as grasped the lower
Jaw, seeking vainly to wrench II
loose. heard the girl scream In sud
don alright.
Quick" gasped desperately
-0et my revolver there on the floor
and use it-but for Gods sake keep
down; don't lot the brute see you"
She must have heard. but there wai
no response. although her crying
ceased. Yet my own struggle to rid
myself Of that crushing weight and
those iron ja~s. drowned all Other
sounds, drove all other thoughts from
mo. Every muscle Of my body began
10 weaken from the strain, my eyes
blurred. faintness swept over me.
felt my brain reeling. when there
burst q vivid flash Of flame within
Q foot Of my face, singeing my fore
head; then followed deafening re
port, and the huge brute sprang back
ward with snari Of pain. his teeth
clicking together like cogs Of steel
Then no stiffened and fell prone
across me. dead. inert weight. pin
ming me breathless to the floor.
For the moment could do no more
than lie there helpless, gasping fol
breath, scarce conscious even Of my
deliverance. Then. as sufficient
strength returned for action, ! rolled
the body Of the dead brute off me
and lifting myself by aid Of the wal