The Washington times., 1936-10-15


seemed to have found scent, for
he stood with his ears erect, his
nose to the ground. It was appar-
ent soon that he had fallen on a
trail.
Attention." said Briant.
EYES," observed Gordon, Its
not the trail Of an animal. Look
at the way Phann is acting!"
Lets creep along through the
grass" suggested Evans. "And
you, Doniphan, who are a good
shot, if one Of these rogues shows
himself near enough, don't miss
him! You'll never have better
chance to fire a shot,"
The Man Hunt
A few moments later they
reached the first group of trees.
There, on the edge of Traps
Woods, was the remains Of a re-
cent fire, branches half-burned,
cinders hardly cold.
Its certainly here that Wal
ston spent last night" observed
Gordon.
"And perhaps he was here q
few hours ago." said Evans. II
think it will be better for us to
return to the cliff" -.
He had not ended his sentence
when q loud report sounded on
the right.
A bullet, after grazing the head
of Briant, buried itself in a tree.
Almost at the same moment an
other shot was heard, followed by
a cry, while so feet from them q
mass suddenly fell under the trees.
It was Doniphan who had just
fired, judging from the smoke pro-
duced by the first gunShot.
The dog, no longer stopping be-
hind Doniphan, Sprang forward.
Let's go" cried Evans, I'VE
can't let Doniphan fight alone!"
An instant later, they were all
gathered around a body lying in
the middle Of the tall grass, a body
which gave no signs of life.
TITS Pike!" said Evans. "The
rascal Is dead. If the devil has
gone a-hunting today, he'll not re-
turn empty handed. One lesS!"
"The others can't be far off,"
observed Baxter.
mo, my boy! don't let's show
ourselves! Kneel down! Kneel
down!
A third shot, coming from the
left this time. Service, who had
not lowered his head promptly
enough, had his forehead grazed
by q bullet.
Are you wounded2" cried Cor
don, running to him.
cts nothing" said Service,
"only scratch"
The most important thing at
that moment, was not to get sepa-
rated. Pike dead, still left Wal
ston and four Of his men who
must be posted at short dis
tance behind the trees. Evans and
the others, creeping in the grass.
formed a compact group, ready on
the defensive.
Suddenly Garnett cried,
where's Briant?"
II don't see him." answered
Wilcox.
Briant had disappeared, and, as
the barkings of Phann were heard
still louder, it was to be feared
that the brave boy was fighting
scme Of the sailors.
'Briant! Briant!" shouted
Don1phan.
And they all, carelessly perhaps.
threw themselves on the trail of
Phann. Evans could no longer re-
strain them. They went from tree
to tree, gaining ground.
Careful, mate, CAREFUL" cried
Cross, who had thrown himself
flat on the ground.
The mate dropped Just as a bull
let passed a few inches above him.
Then, strengthening up, he saw
enc Of WalSton's gang running
across the woods.
It was Rock who had escaped
the previous evening.
ITO you, Rock!" Evans yelled.
He fired, and Rock disappeared
ss If the ground had suddenly
opened under his feet.
Have I missed him again?"
wondered Evans. "Thunders! It
would be bad luck!"
All this happened in a few Sec
onds. Immediately, the barking
Of the dog sounded quite close,
and then Doniphan's voice was
heard.
Hold on! Briant! Hold on!"
he urged.
Evans and the others, rushing
towards that cry, saw Briant 20
feet ahead, battling with Cope.
The wretch had thrown the boy
and was going to stab him with
his knife, when Doniphan, arriv-
ing just in time, threw himself on
Cope, turning the blow aside.
Doniphan'S Sacrifice
Doniphan had not had time to
draw his revolver and now, as he
tried to do so, he received the
knife intended for Briant, full in
the chest. He fell without a cry.
Cope, seeing Evans, Garnett and
Webb trying to cut off his retreat,
ran in northerly direction. Sew
eral shots were fired on him but he
disappeared, and Phann was un-
able to catch him.
Briant turned to Doniphan, and
holding his head, tried to bring
him back to consciousness. Evans
and the others Joined the two
boys, after quickly reloading their
guns. Truly the fight had begun
to the disadvantage Of Walston,