The Argosy, April 1912 — page 165: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

IN QUEST OF A QUEEN. He ducked for cover. Across the fringe of shore-growth he sped, through a little brook and swale in mud and water to his knees, over the corner of a plowed field, and into a thick woodland beyond. If he could only overtake the man who wore his clothes! But, came the second thought, what if he did? The fellow was probably more than his match. He would doubtless get a ‘drubbing for his pains, and before he could prove the mistake to his captors, the real criminal would escape. Even that, however, would be better than being shot on sight by an enraged farmer. If only he might stay the wrath of his pur- suers long enough to make it clear that he would surrender peacefully, it would be a simple matter afterward to prove who he was. But the man-hunters were gaining on him. There was no time for thoughtful planning. On he plunged through the thicket. Briers scratched his face and hands, and ripped up his clothes still more completely. very branch as he passed seemed to reach out and smite him with gleeful malice. He could fairly hear the scrub-oaks chuckle as they curled up their roots just in time to catch and trip his flying toes. Time after time he thus measured off five feet ten inches on the forest floor. Each time he fell the trample and crash of his pursuers grew hearer. He seemed to feel the twin muzzles of that shotgun burrowing between his shoulders. Now, as he glanced back, he got glimpses of the foremost countryman, flashing out here and there among the trees. “Hey, you!” roared the fellow, catching sight of Creighton at that moment. “Stop! I got a bead on ye!” “Shoot him!” yelled the other pursuer, coming in sight from behind. The fugitive dodged back of a big tree- trunk, just as the double-barreled gun barked again. There was a rattle of shot, and a shower of leaves and twigs fell around him. For a moment the life went out of Mr. Avery’s trembling knees. The pair were evidently bent on executing lynch-law. Nevertheless, surrender seemed the only course. He prayed that the dealers out of vengeance would stay execution till he could give an account of himself. But the pair had for the moment lost 151 the scent. They were beating about aim- lessly scarce three rods away. In that brief respite, a little of his self- possession returned, and the city man was able to plan again. He thought of climbing the tree behind which he hid. A glance up the big stretch of branchless trunk put that out of the ques- tion. Perhaps he could crawl under the huckle- berry bushes at his feet, and hide there. But the least stir would be heard by his stalkers. Just then the crash of pursuit was drowned by a wild, prolonged shriek. Every muscle in the hunted one’s body went taut with terror, then relaxed into flabby helplessness. As the echoes died away, they were fol- lowed by a low rumble. ‘Then the ground trembled beneath him. So many new sensations had been sprung on the young city man in the last two hours, that he was rapidly approaching a state of complete apathy. His bodily sensations refused any longer to respond to the spur of terror. He leaned limply against the tree, and listened with resignation, by no means pious, to this new manifestation of the evil one. In a moment he straightened up alert. In the midst of the growing rumble and roar came a rhythmic snort and hiss of dis- tinctly earthly origin. It was a railroad train! A plan of escape instantly flashed upon Creighton. Dire need was making him suddenly resourceful. The roar of the passing train would hide the sound of his escape through the bushes. The railroad must be near by. This was a slow-moving train, probably a freight. If he could reach the track in time to catch a ride before he was seen, he could drop off near the station and find his boarding- place. If only he might sneak into his room unseen, all would be easy. ‘There was another outfit of clothing spread out ready for the afternoon’s call. Fortunately, too, he had left his money behind. His blood surging with new hope, Creigh- ton dropped on all fours, and lunged through the bushes. So eager was he that he hardly noticed the pain of barked knees and shins. A moment later he emerged close to a high railroad bank. The freight was al- _ most upon him. But, alas, as he glanced at the train, he Gomicdoo S