The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1928-05-18

would permit; una. while they fran
'tically bestirred themselves. the drover
leIsufeiy peeled Oh bis "warmus,s OK
sleeveless undercoat. and remarked:
.T00 bad Mcdowell and bis men
ain't here 10 see the fun, but word
was brought right after y0u left last
night. Balsar, that there Is 70 be some
rare Witchshunting In Greatkcove and
every ones gone over the mountains
to, see how the jnb's done"
Stretching his arms 10 timber up his
powerful muscles, be examined two
long whips and tested them Cromit
grinned at me and nodded toward his
.einplOyer- 10 the badly frightened
FOgues, be softly advised:
Lets see how fast you can make
your heels n.y."
They were or the moment be lin
ished. racing madly over their back
track. The drover heard the scniIiing
Of their fleeing feet and turned abous
jus, rs the two turned one side and
dived into q bush growth Bawling
wrathfully for them 10 halt. bestarted
on numbering run but soon gave n
up and came back to where we stood.
CromIs was unable 20 conceal his
glee.
~ss"Why did you let them sarpents
run loose. Balsarr demanded the
drOver.
'.Lor,. BenI hey've been licked and
waIloped almost every step Of q good
ten mile.s
Z "And who be you, you worthless
ioui, TO, say when thieves have had
their coineuppanceN beloved the
drover, settine his rage run wild.
''Stand clear Of them two men,"
''Now. Ben.. don't you do it," adj
.vised Cr0mit.s his reddish brOws work.
ing up and down. arm telling you,
don't you do II. amt no niger, or
thief | shan't take Il kindly. Ben,
I'm hate 1t most MORALLY"
F With an animal howl the droveF
drew back his long arm and dashed
at the tall awkward figure. With the
scream Of q panther making night
kill. Cr0mit's long body shot, through
the air. his blue eyes burning with
murder. his wide mouth opened to It's
fullest extent. AS he crushed against
the droyer he half-laughed, haif-s0bbed.
Il told yen not TO do. 1t, Ben"
They went down in the dirt. . most
bewildering swirl OF legs and arms.
but they had kicked up the dust for
only part of minute before Cromis
was erect again, grinnins and spit
ting blood. The drover remained On
his back and looked as IL Brad1ock's
army. heavy guns and an. rad
marched over him. His face was COW
cred with blood and there were
bloody finger-prints on his dark
throat.
Believing the man was dead
kneeled to examine him. Cromit keps
up his chatterins laugh as he watched
me. Round Paw glided forward and
stared at the damaged visage and
. wounded throat and gave a loud 20.
hah his way OF expressing amaze
ment or approval. With a iiendish
tinger-strength. Cromit. had all but
torn the mans throat open.
He will make IN warrier," gravely
said Round Paw as he resumed his
stolid bearing and stepped back to
show the spectacle had no further In
terest for him.
''I'd have had his gullet open ike
the split craw of fowl In another
jiffy," whined Cromit. "But he'll be
owing me two days and one night Of
work and want my pay asked
him not to do 1T, but be was ever a
maSterful man." IN a
The Widow Cox appeared from
somewhere, and with the border-wom.s
ans quickness of perception she
wasted no time In asking questions,
but brought noggin of rum which
we poured down the injured throat.
Then followed bucket of water over
the shaggy head. With groan the
drover regained his senses. he glared
feebly. at Cromit, who shook his head
and said: /.
eth be Farming TO you, Ben. 4
told you not to do it." ~
"Y0u dewitt" gasped the drover.
"Then all the more reason why 1.
should be quittance with you. I'm or
to march with Braddock's army. I've
worked two days and a night for you.
"a whole night Citing the bells back
three days work. You pay me and
drive your own cattle"
Moaning and signing. and taking on
ike one badly broken. the drover
crawled TO his feet. fshed bag Of
coins from the bosom Of his shirt and
counted out small sum into Cromit's
PALM Cromit turned to me and said:
Nov I'm ready to show old Brad
docks army how to fight"
The Widow Cox spoke up and
shrillB upbraided him:
SHANE on you, you numbering dultl
You'veA hurt q most. proper man."
Hell be properer now. Mother
Cox
se GRO BE CONTINUED,
-.