The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1916-02-16
ITO THE VILE DUST"
Continued from Monday


the steaming pannikin and watched
Vanheimert as he slipped and smacked
his lips, while Stingaree at his distance
watched them both. The pannikin was
accompanied by a tin plate full of cold
| mutton and wedge of baking powder
bread, which between them prevented
the ravening man from observing how
closely he was himself observed as he
| assuaged his pangs. There was, how.
ever, something in the nature of NUT
tered alteration between the bush
rangers when Howie was sent back for
more Of everything. Vanheimert put 1t
down to his own demands and felt
that Stingnree was his friend when 1t
was he who brought the fresh supplies
Eat away" said Stingaree, seating
himself and producing pipe and to-
bacco. ITS rough fare. but there's
plenty Of It."
81 won't ask you for no more" re-
piled Vanheimert, paving the way for
his escape
"Oh, yes, you wilv' said Stingaree
You're going to camp with us for the
next rev days, my tr1enu!
why am II" cried Vanheimert,
aghast at the quiet statement, which II
never occurred to him to gainsay.
Because the way out of this takes
some finding, and what's the use Of es.
Gaping an unpleasant death one day II
you go and die it the next? That's one
reason" said Stingaree, but there's
another The reason is that, now you're
here, you don't go till choose"
That's real kind of yOu,' said Van.
heimert. 81 don't feel like running no
more risks till I'm obliged. My nerves
are shook. And, II born back blocker
may make so bold, it's fair old treat
to see new chum camping out for the
fun OF It."
"WhO told you l was a new chum?"
asked Stingaree sharply. "Ah, re.
member" he added, nodding; you
heard OF the lower down the road"
Vanheimert grinned from ear to ear.
I'D have known it without that"
said he. What real bushmen would
boil their billy on a spirit lamp when
there's wood and to spare for a camp.
fire on all sides OF emp
Now, Vanheimert clearly perceived
the superiority of smOkeless spirit
lamp to telltale fire for those In hiding,
so he chuckled consumedly over this
thrust, which was taken In such excel.
lent part by Stingaree as to prove him
a victim TO the desired Illusion. 1t was
the cleverest touch that Vanhelmert
had yet achieved. And be had the wit
neither to blunt his point by rubbing 1t
in nor to recall attention to II by subtle
protestation of his pretended persua.
sion. But once or twice before sun
down he permitted himself to ask natu-
raj questions concerning the old cOun-
try and TO indulge In those genial gibes
which the Englishman in the bush
learns to expect from the indigenous
buffoon
In the night vanheimert was less
easy. He had to sleep in Howie's tent,
but 1t was some hours before he slept
at all, for HOWE would remain out
side and Vanhelmert longed 10 hear
him snore. At last the rabbiter fell
into a doze, and when be awoke the
suspicious music filed the tent. lie
listened ON one elbow, peering till the
darkness turned less dense. and there
lay HOwie across the opening Of the
tent. Vanheimert reached for his thin
elastic sided bushman's boots, aud his
hands trembled as he drew them Oh
He stepped over Howle's form without
niafaLa and tho tUnobla ctrofno 1r,n
ed on behind him.
Before departure VanheImert wished
to peep into the other tent, but its
open end was completely covered IN
for the night, and prudence forbade
him to NEEDLE with his hands.
On foot he went, indeed ON ti9toe till
the edge OF the trees was reached with
out adventure, and he turned TO look
his last upon the two tents simmer
ing In the starlight As he turned
again, satisfied that the one was stin
shut and that HOWE still lay across
the opening of the other, a firm hand
took Yanhelmert by either shoulder;
otherwise he had leaped into the air,
for II was Stingaree. who had stepped
from behind a bush as from another
planet, so suddenly that Vanheimert
nearly gasped his dreadful name.
Il couldn't sleep! | couldn't sleepr
he cried out
"NO more~cOuld l." said Stingaree.
80 was going for a stroll That
was all. swear. Mr.-Mr.-I don't
know your name|
"Quite sure?" said Stingaree
my OATH How should ~
Stlngaree peered into the great face
IN which the teeth were cbattering and
from which all trace Of color had
flown.
81 shouldn't eat you for knowing
who l am" said Stingaree. Honesty !
Is sim wise policy In certain cireum
stances"
Il know nothing about you, aud care
less" retOrted Vanheimert sullenly, !
though the Precipitation was yelling
ont OF him. II come for stroll be-
cause couldn't sleep, and can't see
what all this blarney's about. {"
stingaree dropped his banda
'Do you want TO sleepr"
shy blessed OATH"
Then come 10 my tent. and IN give
you nobbler that may make you"