Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 69: what you’re looking at

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

60 despite all the care that could be used. These slips would have been more nu- merous, but for Dick, whose eyes seemed able to penetrate the gloom and discern objects which escaped my vision altogether. When the rough- ness of the way warned me I was off the track, I paused and _ ignited several matches, one after the other, and by their flickering flame retraced my steps. One fact did much to buoy us up. We were on the right course, and had but to continue it a little while longer to reach the mountaineer’s cabin, upon which for the present all our hopes were centered. Naturally our hopes rose as we ad- vanced, but we did not relax our vigtl- ance, for the homely adage 1s true that it is never wise to crow until you are out of the woods. The facility with which Zach Peters had located us, at the very time we felt secure against de- tection, warned us to be always on the alert. It was wonderful the way Dick kept up, but no one knows what strain his system can withstand until the actual test is made. Every few minutes, he would utter his low, soft “ Sh!’ when we both came to a halt and listened. This occurred fully a half dozen times, without our detecting the slightest sound to cause misgiving. Finally, I felt we were losing time. “ 'What’s the use, Dick?” I asked in a guarded voice, as I once more paused in Obedience to his signal; “ we have no cause to fear.” “We haven't, eh? following us.” “Impossible! It cannot be.” ‘Let me have your rifle for a min- ute.”’ The shadows were too dense for me to recognize my comrade, but as he spoke he reached out and grasped. my Winchester which I allowed him to take from me. Truth to tell, I was uneasy over Dick's condition and did not think it wise to thwart him. y There’s a man THE ARGOSY. But unseen in the gloom, he brought his weapon to his shoulder and point- ing back over the trail, pulled the trig- ger. To my consternation, a rasping’. howl followed, succeeded tn the same instant by the thump of a heavy body. ‘“ There! confound you,” exclaimed Dick, “ you won't sneak up behind any more men better than you to strike them in the back! Lead on, Shorty; I'll keep the gun, for you don’t seem to be able to see and hear tonight.” Dick was mistaken. My eyes and ears were all right, but in his state of exaltation, those organs with him were abnormally acute. It was an amazing achievement on his part thus to detect and locate an enemy, in what ordinarily was impenetrable gloom, but he did it, and without a word, I resumed my stealthy advance, content for the time to allow him to play the part of leader and master. Thank Heaven, there was no repeti- tion of the incident described. Who the miscreant was that was dogging us, on the alert to strike us down in the dark, I never learned, but that he richly deserved his fate cannot for a moment be questioned.’ Dick’s footsteps were as steady and apparently tireless as at first, and, since our tramp was almost completed, I knew he would not suc- cumb while on the road. It was comparatively early in the evening, when I pulled the latch string of the mountain home, and we unhesi- tatingly stepped across the threshold. Tom, his son Jake, and his wife were there, and, as may be supposed our ar- rival was a surprise. I cannot say that it was an unalloyed pleasure to any one except Jake, who had formed a genuine attachment to me; but the honors were hospitably done, the tall, grim housewife even insisting upon providing a meal for us. . It was as pleasing as surprising to note that Dick ate heartily. The hope that buoyed him up, and the prolonged labor of the journey thither had brought something resembling a glow- COM ElOOO eco