Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1913-06-20
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undation was marching like a lofty
wall. ran toward the stable, cursing
myself In my mad Disappointment.
l galloped for 200 yards, and then
the fog gathered me to itself, and /
had just enough sense to pull the
horse to a slow trot.
could still see the road for a dozen
PAGES, but all sense of proportion and
distance had gone from me. The fog
was not stationary, but curled in
broad confusing wreaths, or poured
sideways upon me in avalanches of
denser mist. Sometimes the car was
on the road, sometimes off it Twice
nearly capsized. In the end
climbed down and went to the horses
head, leading it forward at the run
made better progress after that
Yet l was not more than half way
TO the cairn hill when from the whirl-
ing shadows to my left there came
SOUND that set my heart leaping in
my breast. 1t was the mufied thud of
a rifle.
l stopped, listening and staring into
the mist. A second shot followed. And
then, as If raised by these echoes,
there changed distant bell, a deep
voice of loud alarm from the prison
tower, telling the moor that a convict
mad escaped. that julius Craig was
Tree and that II, miserable fool that
l was, had failed in the trust which
had been placed upon me.
Tried not to think, but ran stub
bornly on beside the horse with that
internal bell rioting in my ears. NV
lie on the moors had put me in
SOUND condition, and | never slack
ened my pace till had trotted I'D the
rise TO where the track to the ruined
iarm began. | checked the horse
ana walked slowly forward studying
tne eage OF the moor besides the high
way 1or the mark of the grass-grown
ruts knew so well.
neard the footsteps long before I
saw MIN, quick patter upon the hard
surface behind me. AS he came out
OF the fog he shouted, bringing his
rifle to his hip with an easy swing
he was stoutly built man in the
neat dark uniform that marks the
prison warder
BE careful with that gun," said:
for he still had me covered
Il Deg your pardon, SIR" he pant.
eo; Dut we were close to him and"
Close to whom?
Ihere's convict escaped" he ex.
planned. You haven't seen him?"
mo, nor likely to in this weather"
He had got his breath by this time
and stood leaning on his rife, look.
ing vaguely about him.
You are right, sir. We stand a far
better chance of losing ourselves than
OF nnding him in fog like this. But
one thing is equally certain-he can't
get far, either"
IL was while he spoke that I heard
1.-THE clink Of boot striking a
stone, and that not a score of Yards
away.
I'm afraid you are only wasting
time.' l said. as carelessly as I was
aDle. "A needle in haystack is
easy compared to a convict In
fog"
Il think l must take your advice,
sir" he laughed.
We wished each other good after
noon, and he melted away as a man
might slide behind a curtain. His
footsteps died out down the road nv
which he had come as / moved for
ward.
THAT was a near thing, Kingsley"
said voice In the shadows. and I
humbly thanked my luck that Hearne
stepped out upon the road.
I've no excuse" began. 1T was
all my fault, and"
Hush! keep quiet"
He stood for a moment listening
like dog at a door.
IF that fool of a warder had not
gone back we were done," he whisper.
ed. "The guards chased us right into
the ruins. While they searched them
we slipped down the track. Come
along. Craig, alrs WELL"
lne coHVlct rose from the heather
where he had lain, and stumbled to.
ward us. He was shaking like a man
with the ague, and the sweat was
running OF his forehead and down his
cheeks in narrow streaks.
Am safer" he suffered, grab
bing my arm. I've money, man.
money. You shall have 1t, swear
you shall have 1t all! But l won't 20
back there-not alive!"
Come. pull yourself together" said
Hearne, with hand on his shoul.
der. I'VE have no time to waste. re.
member"
We wrapped the long coat over his
yellow clothes, stuck the wig over his
cropped head, and helped him to the
front seat. / took my place beside