Year: 1874

what had heretofore seemed the bottom of
the chest raised easily up, showing a small
department. carefully made waterproof, in
which safely lay the document, which had
SO long and eagerly been sought for.


Hastily securing this, Chiron replaced
the false bottom and the other articles ho
had removed and locking the chest re-
turned the key to the place from which he
had taken it, and softly left the cottage.


He at once made his way to the river
intending to go by orlando's boat to the
residence of Sir Oliver, and to inform him
of the safety of the supposed lost paper,
the value of which he had explained to
him during the interview of the evening
previous.


AS he came near the landing he was
surprised to find another boat there and
near it, man apparently on the watch for
the return of some one then absent.


Cautiously approaching as near as pos
sible without his presence being known, he
became confident the waiting man was Gil
man, and that he was one of the men who
were in the boat from which the rifle shot
had come, as he was near Sir Oliver's
house.


If his surmise was correct, "then where
was his companion, and was there mischief
meant to the residents of the cottage?''
were the questions that arose in the hunt
er's mind.


AS yet he had not been discovered by
Gilman, and the first impulse of Chiron
was to quietly withdraw, and by keeping
watch learn what the object of this visit
was.


A moments reflection, however, convin-
ced him that he had better demand the
cause of this visit while yet the man was
alone, and perhaps delay might cause an
injury which now he could prevent.


Chiron therefore suddenly appeared
before the waiting man and demanded his
business there.


For moment Gilman, for it proved
to be him, hesitated and then replied


81 don't know that you have any au-
thority to question my right to come here
when please and to stop as long as feel
disposed"


" But in the absence Of young friend
of mine, replied the hunter, I" take the
liberty of seeing who turks around here,
and as far as possible guard those depend
ent on him from all danger"





" For once then you are rather late"
was the taunting reply, "for even while We
talk the inmates of the cottage are being
removed to place where your care will
not be needed. You have already given us
too much trouble" continued the wretch,
"and now mean that you shall give us no
more"


AS he said this he quickly raised his rifle,
with the intention of shooting Chiron, but
the old hunter was not as unguarded as
Gilman had supposed for he had seen the
movement and quickly knocking the rifle
to one side he with one blow from his fist
laid the villain at his feet then he took
from his pocket number of deer-hide
thongs with which he firmly bound the
fallen mans ankles, and then pinioned his
arms behind him. Having accomplished
this he raised Gilman to his feet, set him
against tree, and with a long stout thong
the hunter bound him to the trunk in an
upright posture.


Gilman swore aud raved, threatened and
entreated, but all to no effect. The old
hunter was inhexible in his purpose, and
as soon as he had accomplished it he took
up his rife and started off, remarlSing, as
he did SO


"Don't fret, Master Gilman. I'll release
you when come back"


You needn't trouble yourself" return
ed the villain, with an oath.


go, it's no trouble assure you; and
besides, may want your company back to
jamestown"


"1'will be sorry company for you" said
Gilman.


"Rather disreputable, grant" cooIly
returned Chiron, and as he spoke he passed
on, but yet for long distance he could
hear the bound villains curses and impre-
cations mingled with groans of rage and
Continued next week.


eB- A man in North Adams, Mass, had
among other property, fine pig, valued at
about thirty dollars. This man owed a