The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

220 THE TRACK OF MIDNIGHT. The man laughed again as he swiftly raised his arm and flung his empty pistol into Wilton’s face. Instinctively Wilton pressed the trigger of his weapon. So intent was he upon the object of his revenge that he failed to make even the slight move- ment which was necessary to avoid the blow the bushranger aimed at him, with the result that he was struck with such force as to be rendered un- conscious. But as his senses left him he saw his enemy fall forward upon his horse’s neck, and in the keen satisfaction that he felt at his triumph he was oblivious to the stunning blow he had received, and knew not that he also fell from his saddle as the bushranger fell from his. The horses, freed from their burdens, galloped down the track, side by side, leaving the two men lying where they fell. As they passed down the track two other men rode out of the bush, and seeing the riderless condition of the horses, turned and galloped in the direction whence they had come. Directly they caught sight of the two figures lying in the roadway, they gave vent to long shrill coo-ees, the cry of the bush, and hastened towards the prostrate men. CHAPTER VIII.—PLOVER’S REVENGE. Tu bushranger struggled to get up as Farrell and Johnson approached, and managed to raise himself up on his arm. But the effort was too much, and looking up at them with a pale, anguished face, he rolled over with a groan. ‘‘He’s badly hurt,’’ Farrell exclaimed, as he leaped off his horse and stooped over him. ‘Then he hastened to Wilton, just as he opened his eyes. Johnson, who had also dismounted, raised him into a sitting position, and Farrell again turned his attention to the wounded outlaw who lay in a grad- ually increasing pool of blood. ‘‘He won’t last long, I’m afraid,’’ he said. Wilton, dazed and bewildered, looked from one tothe other. A clattering of approaching horses, as the band closed in, filled the air; beside him he saw the man lying bleeding, and over him his two friends bent as they urged him to get up. ‘The last memory he had was a feeling of intense joy at the sight of his falling foe; but now he shuddered as he looked at the form beside him. The sight of his ruined dray had maddened him; but now the fit had passed and he felt a bitter remorse as he looked upon the other wreck that he had made. | As the other men rode up, they glanced with concern towards Wilton as he sat propped up against Farrell and Johnson with his head turning from side to side and his eyes vacant and lifeless. ‘‘Now then, my lad, freshen up, freshen up,’’ Farrell exclaimed. ‘“‘Put him on his feet,’’ one of the men called out, and he was lifted up until he stood. ; : ‘Now you’re all right. You’re not hurt badly,’’ Farrell continued. ‘‘Took at that,’’ Wilton said, as he pointed to the man lying in the track. ‘The best day’s work you ever did,’’ Farrell answered. a (E(0) an iboo ESS (E(0) AA) ee ae