Year: 1871

no noise as they struck the earth, and
soon the sound of waves came distinct.
! ly to his ears. He was forced TO 90
slower now, for as he approached the
rivers bank the low underground grew
more dense, and soon he halted, for be
could go no further, q thicket Of small,
tangled bushes, through which he could
not pass, being directly in his path
Through the interStices in the foliage he
could catch glimpse OF the water, and
a curse broke from his lips Glancing
around his eyes fell upon large tree,o ,one
huge branch of which stretched out over
the water,and in an instant he was ct its
foot preparing TO ascend.


20n one side Wild grape vine, gnarled
and twisted, hung from the very branch
he wished to reach, and, grasping this,
he ascended, hand over hand, till he sat
upon the limb which stretched out to.
ward the river Carefully he made his
way out to the end Of the limb, where
he found to his joy, that he commanded
view of the river, both above and be-
low his perch


81 couldn't have wished fo-.a better
place." he said, half aloud. Il hope l
shall not have to wait long"


Scarce had the words dropped from
his mouth, when there came the meas
ured dip Of oars, and tic next instant a
boat came around the bend Of the river


One glance told the ambushed villain
that its only occupant was Winthrop
Sterling, and, crouching down among
the leaves, he unslung his rifle, land Geek
ing it carefully, examined it's printing


Soon the boat neared his place of con-
cealment, and rising to get better aim,
Wheaton raised his rifle to his shoulder


Even as his finger pressed the trigger
the thought flashed through his mind
that he was about to murder his best
friend, and he hesitated for moment :;
but a rush of jealousy overpowered his
better feelings, and he fired


As the sharp report rang upon the air
the young man in the boat dropped his
oars and staggered to his feet, a low cry
breaking from his lips as he clasped his
forehead with both hands, and then sank
upon the bottom of the boat


But Dick Wheaton could not observe
the effect of the shot,tor with the report
be fell backward from the limb, the recoil
of the weapon having dislodged his in-
secure footing. Down through the limes
he crushed, plunging into the water, his
rife falling with him and inaicting a Sc
we're cash upon his checks as it struck
him. and rebounded into the water.


As he struck out to clear himself of
the small limbs which dropped into the
water, a sharp thrilling pain ran through
his frame, and he knew that he had bro
ken his right arm in his fall, At the
same time he felt d strong pull upon one
leg, and bis progress was checked; and
turning his head to ascertain the cause,
he saw that the running vine had become
twisted about his foot, and it resisted all
his efforts to disentange it.


He had lost his bowie knife in his fall,
and he felt, that without help, he could
never free himself, for the vine was twis-
ted so closely that, with but one hand,
he could not break it.


He gazcd wildly toward the Loat, which
was drifting directly toward him, as if he
would implore aid from the young man
who sat crouched down in the bottom of
the boat, his hands still clasped over his
brow. .,
| Slowly tile boat driftel with the cur
rent till it came within reach of the half
drowned man, and with desperate at
tempt he grasped it with his left hand.
| The boat rocked violently, and a food
Of water dashed in over the form of the
young man who crouched in the bottom.


A low moan came from his lips, and
taking down his hands, he gazed slowly
round. There was livld mark across
his forehead, and Wheaton saw that for
once his aim had been untrue, and the
bullet which he had meant for the brain
of his rival, had merely grazed the skin.


"Help, in Gods name!' cried Whea-
ton, in tone of supplication.


"Wheaton, oick,is it you?' the young
man said slowly, vacant look in his
eyes, as he still sat motionless,


"Yes, Winthrop, it is |, l have bro
ken my arm and am drowning. There
is stout vine twisted about my leg and
/ cannot get it off In mercy cut i. with
your knife and help me into the boat"
The color had come back to Sterling s
face, and the old fire to his eyes,


Keep up your heart, old fellow" he
said cheerily III soon have you in
here. =, How came you in such tight
place 7"


He drew a knife from his belt and,
bending over, severed the vine which
came 50 near being the cause of Whea'
toms death Thea, with much difficulty
and pain. the would-be murderer was
pulled into the ski;f when he sunk down
exhausted.


"Why, Wheaton, YOU are almost spent
How could you get in such position =
the young man asked again,


by trying to murder youn' Wheaton
groaHed, his head bent upon his breast


''Dick what do you mean! No, no
it could not have been you who fired the
| bullet which came SO near ending my
life"


The young mans voice was full OF
horror and incredulity as he spoke these
words


Yes, Winthrop, it was ] who tried to
kill you. / am demon, but was only
obeying one who was guiltier than |"


"Wheaton, l have always been your
friend. Why should you try to murder
me? Areyou mad?"


The young man spoke sternly.


"Yes, Sterling, l am mad: but heal
me through before you kill me, as de
serve l would ellyou all"
! And rapidly Wheaton tolc his story
keeping back nothing.


Winthrop heard him through, though
many an exclamation broke from his
lips during the confession.


81 can scarcely believe, it," he said
when Wheaton had finished II did no
ldream thatsBell Verton could be such :
fond Rut NJ noatnn wa must On a