The citizen., 1922-08-03


knowing no other desire with an en-
emy than TO kill him in any way pos
sihle. snatched his knife from his belt.
He heard n cry Of surprise and horror
from Hugh and huge hand caught
his upraised wrist.
put II back :" said Dave sternly.
The dnzed boy obeyed and Dave led
him upstairs
Dave talked to the lad about the
enormity of his offense. but to Dave
he was inclined To defend himself and
his action. Next morning, however.
when the party started back to Red
Onks. Erskinr felt a difference In the
atmosphere that made him uneasy.
Barbara alone seemed unchanged, and
he was quick To guess that she had not
been told Of the incident Hugh was
distinctly distant and surly for an
other reason as well. lie had wanted
to ask young Grey to become one of
their party and his father had deci-
sively forbidden him-for another rea-
son. too. than his influence over Hugh
Grey and his family were Tories and
In high favor with Lord Dunmore.
As yet Dave had made no explana-
ton or excuse for his young friend.
but he soon made up his mind that II
would be wise To offer the best extenu-
alton ms soon as possible; which was
simply that the lad knew no better.
had not yet had the chance 10 learn,
and on the rage Of impulse had acted
Just as he would have done among the
Indians. whose code alone he knew.
The matter came 10 head shortly
after their arrival at Red Oaks when
Colonel Dale. Harry Hugh and Dave
were on the front porch The boy was
standing behind the box-hedge near
the steps and Barbara had just ap-
peared in the doorway.
"Well. what was the trouble7"
'bDlonel Dale had Just asked.
"IIe tried to stab Grey unarmed and
without warning" said Hugh shortly.
Al the moment the boy caught sight
of Barbara. Her eyes, filled with scorn.
met his In one long, sad. whitening
look. and she turned noiselessly back
into the house. Noiselessly too he
melted into the garden. slipped down
To the river bank. and dropped To the
ground. He knew nt last what he had
done. Nothing was said to him when
he came back to the house and that
night he scarcely opened his lips In
silence he went to bed and next morn
ing he was gone.
The mystery was explained when
Barbara told how the boy too must
have overheard Hugh.
Hes hurt" said Dave. "and he's
gone home"
"On footr" asked Colonel Dale in.
credulously.
"He can trot all day and make al
most as good time as horse"
"why, he'll starve."
"He could get there on roots and
herbs and Wild honey. but he'll have
fresh meat every day. still. I'll have
to try to overtaks him. l must 60.
anyhow"
And he asked for his horse and went
10 get ready for the journey. Ten
minutes later Hugh and Harry rushed
ioyously to his room.
Were going wi'h your they cried,
and Dave was greatly pleased. An
hour later all were ready, and at the
last moment Fireay was led In. sad
dled and brIdled. and with a leading
halter around his neck.
Harry" said Colonel Dale. carry
your cousin my apologies and give him
Firefy on condition that he ride him
back some day. Tell him this home Ia
hls"-the speaker halted. but went on
grayely and firmly - whenever he
pleases"
"And give him my love" said Bar
bara. holding back her tears.
At the river gate they turned to
wave a last goodby and disappeared
In the woods. Al that hour the boy
far over In the wilderness ahead OF
them had cooked n squirrel that he
had shot for his breakfast and was
gnawing II 10 the bones Soon he rose
and at trot sped ON toward his home
beyond the Cumberland. And with
him, etched with acid on the steel OF
his brain, sped two images-Barbara's s
face as he last saw II and the face OF
young Dane Gres.
The boys tracks were easily 10 be
seen In the sandy road. and from them
Dave Judged that he must have left
long before daylight. And he was trav-
cling rapidly. AZ sunset Dave knew
that they were not far behind him. but
when darkness hid the lads tracks
Dave stopped for the night, Again
Erskine had got the start by going on
before day, and II was the middle OF
the forenoon before Dave, missing the
tracks for q hundred yards. halted and
turned back to where a little stream
crossed the road. and dismounted, lead
ing his horse and scrutinizlng the
ground.
Hes seen US tracking him an6 he's
doubled on US end is tracking us. I
expect he's looking at US from some