The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1915-02-11
Copyright, 1918,
By Hesketh Prichard

"Of course. He knew that l1nda
would very likely sit here. and ne was
afraid
afraid? OF what:" said Linda sud
denly from behind US. NO one could
hurt NE here. Why. could call for
help and you are both here. You could
protect me-
Not against rifle bullet" said Pc =
tersham. "For my sake. 80 in. l.inda!'
As he said the words from far away
came the sound Of shot Distance
robbed it of that acrimony with when
the modern rifle speaks. and it struck
duh, even drowsy note upon the air
Of that Ianguid afternoon uf late
spring.
what can that be?' cried Linda.
As if in answer came the sullen far
OF sound three times repeated. and
then. after an interval. a fourth.
"Shooting!' cried Linda again. very
white. her blue eyes wide with terror.
"And it's from the direction Of Senlis
hke!''
ben! Ben Puttick!" roared Peter.
sham.
call rose higher.
"Here l amir We heard Puttick's
voice from inside the house. and he
ran out minute later.
I'VE heard Eve shots from Sen|is
lake" said I'VE must start at once.
you and |. MIR. Petersham will stay
with Miss Linda
Puttick looked me In the eyes.
Are you tired of your life?" he ask
ed grimly.
I'VE have DO time to think OF that.
Get ready?
"There was five Shots" Puttick said
deliberately. II heard 'em myself
That means Joes dead. if it was him
they shot at If we go We'll soon be
dead too
"Oh, you coward:' cried Linda.
Puttick turned a duh red. I'm no
coward. Miss Linda. but I'm no fool.
Tn, a woodsrnan. l know"
There is a good deal Of sense in
what Ben says put in. II think
his best place is here with you. lie
shall! stay to help you in case OF need
III go and find Joe. After all. it's as
likely as not that he was firing or per
haps some one else was firing at d
bear.
FASTENED forward at the best
pace | coul attain until from ris
in. knoll caught glimpse Of Sen!ls
lake. The forest path here rose ant
fell in :. series of short steep inclines
labored up these little hills and rar
down the slopes. Suddenly | came Il
a turn and was about to rush down ;
sharp dip when a voice. seemingly d
my side, said:
'"rhat you, Mr.. Quaritch!'
Joe. Where are you!"
"Here!'
followed the voice and partin
so1ne branches, saw Joe lying on tn
ground His face was gray under II
tan, and 4 smear Of blood had drle
upon MS forehead and check.
You're wounded"' cried,
His second passed through the to
Of my shoulder"
His: Whose?"
Him that shot at me-"
Ibid you shoot back?'
''Ee lies about ten PAGES west o tia
small maple"
''Iou saw himY'
Hardly He had a black hat
saw it move after he fired his fourt
and shot back If yonll give n
sour arm, Mr. Quaritch. We'll go i
and take look ut him"
With difficulty and with many paus,
we reached the top Of the little rlds
The dead man lay rs Joe had sd
quite near the small maple. The bull
had entered his throat He was lo'
haired, black bearded man OF mediu
size.
Joe leaned against the maple tree al
looked down at him
II seem to know the fellows face
said.
Yes; you seen him the day we con
cutting wood by the shack"
Now. Joe. lean on me. and We'll
10 make for home" for | saw lie "
very weak.
Must just look around, Mr. O.
rltch See here! He was smoking
pipe. Look at the ashes-a regu
handful of them. He must "a lain
me all of hour before come alo
Here's his rhe--a 1880. Wonder v
he ls?" Joe lay back, painting.
you're not able to walk said
ell go back to Nalmacks and &c
rig to BRING you home.
mo, Mr.. Quaritch. 1t would he
be right to do that. 1t would give
other fellas warming.
''The others:'
."rhis dead fella's DartncrS'
"You know he has some. them:
"One anyway. But lets be NOV
Cut me q pole so as | can use it a
crutCh.'
did as he asked, and we commcL