quest of the precious metals; ore-houses and tramways; plants of huge machinery and tow- , ei-ing chimneys; and all sorts of shelters, which seemed to be the dens of wild beasts, rather tian the abodes of human beings—such were the principal features of the scene of which Johnny was new the sole possessor. Little of any use or value had been abandoned, it must he confessed, by the departing miners. A quantity of well-worn garments, and a few prOVisi’ons more or less damaged, with sundry worn-out or broken tools and carts—these wore about the most salient assets of the camp, and it is needless to add that Johnny did not give them a thought. He was soan back at his claim, thrilling with ea erness and hope. The excavations of Johnny and his predeces- sors had left a hole as large as a first-class cathedral, with the little end at the bottom. These excavatipns had all been made around a central shaft, in which had been erected a rude hoisting apparatus, and in which were the usual aggregations of landing-places, stagings, boxings, and ladders. This shaft, as already intimated, had been carried down 135 feet. At one point, about half-way down, was a lateral shaft, which had been made by a former proprietor in following a false lead, and which Johnny had converted into ,a retreat or dwell— inc, whatever we may call it. naccessible to all save the most daring climbers, the lateral shaft had become Johnny’s fav3rite resting-place, as well as habitual lodging, and it was here that he really had his headquarters, the tent at the mouth of the shaft being for temporary use in the daytime, and serving at night as a mere mask for his real whereabouts. That this arrangement had saved him from more than one murderous midnight visit, he did u )t have the least doubt. ‘ On one occasion, when he was known to have received some money, \Vall Pickens and Pistol Tommy had essayed to call upon him at a very unseasonable hour. but had failed to find him. Taking his way to the bottom of the shaft, where he had left his drills and other imple- ments, Johnny prepared to test the facts and theories which had induced him to give the Bobtail a further trial. He had never been so determined as at this moment, and for the good reason, perhaps, that he had never before been so hopeful. It was no small relief and satisfaction to feel that the evil eyes of Pistol Tommy and his asso- ciatcs were not likely to take note of these new proceedings. In case of success, his first thought would not be an apprehension of being robbed and mur- dered, as it had been for. several weeks preced- in . - . assuming work where he had left off, Johnny cnnpleted several holes in the rock, with the inclines and mutual relations he hadstudied out earlier in the day, after a careful examination of the spot and its characteristics, and then pro- ceeded to charge and tamp them, making use of all the powder remaining in his possession. His idea was to give another grand blast, at the most‘promising point of the rock, and be guided by the results. If favorable, he could proceed further. In the. contrary case, he could await the ‘ promised arrival of his chum, Ned Merrill, and in due course join Captain Anson atthe Socorro Mines, in accordance with the worthy captain’s invitation. - His blasts being all ready, he lighted the fuse destined to fire them, and took his way out of the shaft, proceeding to the rude shed in which he kept his horse. The shed stood at one end of his claim, which contained the full allowance of land which can be granted to any one miner by the U. S. Gov- ernment, or a little more than twenty acres. _ Johnny had found by experience that his horse did not mind an explosion when he was near, and he had dropped into the habitof grati— fying his faithful animal with his presence on these occasions. Having made use of a long—time fuse, as was his wont, it was several minutes before the fire reached the powder, but it came at last—an ex- plosion which seemed to shake the earth beneath him. It was the most violent blast the young miner had ever exploded, and he was not surprised to find later that it had done considerable damage to the stays and supports at the bottom of the shaft and had covered his level with debris. Waiting long enough to be sure of his owu safety, he descended the shaft with a speed cor- responding to his eager hopefulness and hasten- ed to look around him, his gaze settling prompt- ly upon the hole torn in the rock by this last ex- plosion. . He was startled by what he saw—a Jagged spur of metal rising several inches from the rock at one side of the principal opening which had resulted from the blast. This metal was discolored, or rather of such a dull or smoky hue that he could not at first make out its exact nature. Having broken off a piece, however, about as large as an ordinary brick, and polished a smooth side of the same upon his sleeve, he could not re ress a wild cry 9f exultation. is hopes had been realized! His theories had proved to be in strict accord- ance With the facts! The mass of metal he held in his hand was virgin silver! CHAPTER 1V. HALF A TON or SILVER! JOHNNY GEEP. comprehended only too vividly what had happened. He had tapped a river of silver—a veritable de osit—like so many of those for which Old exico has so long been famous! To judge by what he saw, the vein could not be less than fifteen inches in Width, by three or four in thickness, with a large central streak in which the metal was as pure as it comes from the furnace of the refiner. For a moment he was dazed—~bewildered! His gaze became indistinct. It was as if the smoke from the recent blast had gathered in a cloud around him. “ Another Vela Madre ."’ he murmured. “ At last! at last!” He referred to the vast vein of silver which crosses one-half of Old Mexico, traversing sev- eral States, with outcrops here and there, and from which hundreds of millions have been taken. Might be not have struck a similar vein? Might he not have, within a rod of him, a deposit of silver that would yield millions of dollars? He was so faint with excitement at the thought that his knees gave way beneath him, and he was obliged to sit down upon aprojecting stone. How eagerly and anxiously he looked around in every direction! Was all this treasure to be his? Or was he in danger of having a rival? Could he even be certain, absolutely certain, that no human eye was upon him at that very moment? To the contrary! The discovery he had made threw a startling and realistic light, if a weird one, upon the ru- mors and reports which had so long been cur— rent regarding the Little Old Hunchback. “ It must he so!” Johnny said, to himself, as he wiped his damp forehead nervously. “ That man is a living reality! He has turned up here ahead of me! He has tapped this very vein of silver, or a branch from it, and is working the . same with all his might, while hundreds of men around him have lost all heart and courage and taken their departure. Of course, he’s not using blasts and powder, but he has struck it so rich that he needs only his pick and spade. How soon Will he prove a thorn in my side? When and where shall I see him?” He looked around as sharply as if he expected the “ ghost ” to stalk into his presence. As was natural, he was inclined to worry over the presence and proceedings of his mysterious , , lullllllmlm rival, this unknown intruder. who was figuring in such “ questionableshape,” but the excellence of his own discoveries soon soothed and calmed h in. Recalling all he knew of the circumstances and conditions under which the great silver de—I posits of history have their being, he did not doubt that the Bobtail was likely to produce him an almost endless fortune. Summoning all his calmnessand self-possession to his aid, he hastened to utilize the situation. A shower of metallic fragments had fallen around the spot where he stood, and he collected them with nervous celerity, soon having at his feet a pile of torn and battered fragments of silver, which be estimated to weigh a hundred and twenty pounds. Thrilling anew with these palpable evidences of his success, Johnny took a look tit/the spot from which these masses had been torn. A Single glance was enough to confirm all he had ventured to hope, and he gave wa ,at last unreservedly to the Wild joy that thril ed him, filling the air with his cries and ejaculations. Seizmg a pick. he proceeded to open further the rents which had been made in the metallic river beneath him. Lump after lump was torn away from the shattered vein, and duly aggregated to the pile of silver already gathered. At the end of an hour of the severest labor, Johnny found ihat he had gone about as far as he could comfortably without the assistance of another formida ble blast. But what results had already rewarded him for his toils! As near as he could judge, he now had a thou- sand pounds of Silver at his feet, the great bulk of it perfectly pure! In the markets of that day silver was quoted at 94 cents an ounce. So that. in one short hour, he had accumu- lated in the Bobtail a mass of silver that would foot up to fifteen thousand dollars! With its shaft down one hundred and thirty- five feet, the Bobtail had seemed worthless—a fraud, a snare and a delusion. , Carried down a single foot more, the Bobtail loomed up like a coming Potosi! ' Johnny’s dogged resolution and energy, as guided by his good sense and skill, had paid hi in. He had struck it rich at last! He was gloriously triumphant. Needless to dwell upon his joyous thrills of triumplhl ) H y I shall be a bigger man than old Van- derbilt! ’ he muttered, pale and begrimed, as he leaned on his pick. “ A real silver king, like those of Nevada! A richer man than old Solo- mon, with all the gold of Ophir! How delight- ful! What a letter I can soon write to mother and Belle! How leased they’ll be! I can soon write to Estrella Brewer, too, and tell herlwhat 1 think of her. No need to bur myself forever in the woods because the genera isa millionaire. Ha, ha i I'm a millionaire, too! Perhaps a millionaire a hundred times over! Ha! ha!” But suddenly the light faded from his eyes, and his voice died away in a strange, incoherent murmur. A thought had occurred to him. A thought that was simply inevitable, at a given moment, in such a situation. 4 The abysses which come with such strokes of luck as had dawned upon Johnny Geer had sud» denly opened at his feet. - In striking that vast deposit of silver he had struck a host of anxieties to which he had until that hour been a st nger. Now .that he ha reached a PAY STREAK, might there not prove to be a. flaw in his title? Might he not have located on the Old Spanish Grant of which he had heard such disquieting rumors? Might not the very lawyers through whom he had acquired the Bobtail turn upon him and oust him? Might he not be sot upon and murdered by some of the miners who had just taken their de- parture? Might he not have trouble with some former proprietor or claimant? . In any case, his cares had multiplied as great- ly as quickly. To the necessity of constantly defending his life was now added the task of constantly de- fending his treasure. With every dollar’s worth of silver he might take out of the Bobtail, he was sure to encounter an additional care and peril. Every tramp, every outlaw, every Apache, even every passing hunter, and almost any needy wanderer who might chance to cross his path, must henceforth inspire him with a sense of new dangers. Johnny Sighed at the thought. It seemed hard that such a joy as had dawned upon him must come in such a setting. In a Single instance, the whole face of the earth seemed to have changed for the lucky miner. At this moment, as he stood silent and mo— tionless, a shadow from a man was projected from the mouth of the shaft upon the rocky wall beside and ab0ve him! J ohnn had to bite his lips hard to prevent himself rom uttering a cry of consternation. An intruder was near! The young miner was menaced with a visit! And at what a moment! CHAPTER V. THREE UNWELCOME INTRUDERS. EVEN as Johnny stared. holding his breath, at the spectral outlines in humai form which had appeared on the rocky wall of the shaft, a second figure presented itself beside the first, both bending nearer, as if endeavoring to peer down upon him. ' He recognized the visitors now, even before he could see them. ' They were Wall Pickens and Pistol Tom- my! He knew them by their shadows. The next instant a third figure became tran— scribed upon the rocky wall: the Silver Secret was in peril! This third man was Doc Howlitt. The trio had come hack—not to their own claims, but to Johnny‘s! " “ What for?” was his thought. For no good, that was certain! “ Are you there, Johnny?” called Pistol Tom- my. The young miner did not answer. Between him and the disagreeable intruders was a projection of arching rock which shut him out from their view. Then, too, he was behind such a network of stays and supports that it would not have been an easy matter to see him under the most favorable conditions. . “ Can’t you see us? Don’t you hear us?" con- tinued Pistol Tommy, eagerly. Johnny still remained silent, hesitating as to his best course. , “ If you don’tanswer we’ll come down there,” threatened Wall Pickens. Still not a. word. _ “ Perhaps the fellow’s killed himself with that last blast,” suggested Howlitt. “ We may as well go down and look for him.” “ Give him one more call,” suggested Pick- ens. The “call” having been duly given, in sten— torian tones, Johnny realized that it was time to answer, as it was no part of his plans to let them enter his level if he could help it. “ All right.” he shouted, as the best thing he could do under the circumstances. “I’ll be there in a moment." How disgusted—angered—alarmed he was. \Vith what he knew of the character of his visii‘iors, he experienced a keen sense of real peri . Taking his way up the complicated ladders and stagings leading from the level of his mine to the surface, he soon emerged into the sun- light and into view. “ Ah, it’s you!” was his greeting, as the gaze of the trio settled searchingly upon him. “I thought you had gone to seek your fortunes elsewhere.” ’ r « w ' "Y it}. ‘7 _ “.‘fltlnmw a cumming...) «mama-um m...» mm.“ m Minna» an. rim-‘11)» 1“ m» . ., y a, H. V . , ' ' r i i " - “WAWWx-aam immmfl' nk « 1-5.. fik‘t; Wzsflfl kavlt My“. ' m m (e. mm .‘K - “ No doubt you would have been very glad to be rid of us forever,” returned Pistol Tommy, “ and I must'say you don’t seem at all glad to see us. You wouldn’t have showed up at all, I suppose, if we hadn’t threatened to come down to you. Took us for Apaches. perhaps!” Johnny saw that the speaker was anxiousto pick a quarrel with him, and wisely kept silent. He was as begrimed as a blacksmith. A torrent of perspiration had streamed from his face. His features were a glow with the severe labors of the preceding hour, and his eyes beamed with an unwonted excitement. In a word, he seemed at that moment the in- carnation of a successful and jubilant toiler. “/But never mind all that,” was the next ex- clamation of Tommy, after he and his chums had stared at Johnny a few moments in silence. “ It’s enough that you’ve finally deigned to put in an appearance. And I must say that you look decidedly happy! Like to be alone, eh? Feel all the better for our absence, don’t you? You’ve struck it rich, then? \Ve thought such would be the case. We all noticed several days ago that you had something serious on your mind. Yes, we did, Johnny! We suspected then that you had found indications of pay— dirt. Your Very reserve was suggestive of all due faith and belief in the ‘ good time com- “1an Johnny still remained silent. “ In beating a retreat, therefore, a few hours ago,” continued Pistol Tommy, in a mocking vein, “ We were careful not to go too far. We had made up our minds to remain within easy distance and look in upon you from time to time during the next few days. And not in vain, it seems. We see by your manner that you have struck the royal road to fortune. and we’ve come back here to tender our congratu- lations and offer our assistance.” Johnny returned with interest the glances of which he had become the object, but he had not yet finished his reflections as to the best course for him to pursue in regard to this unwelcome intrusion. . The wild, eager greed which fiOWed from the eyes of the banded ruffians was in itself a warn- in . Their very attitudes were suggestive of the evil intentions announced by their manner and language. . Johnny continued to ask himself what he should say and do in the emergency their pres ence had thrust upon him, and how he should get rid of them. . “ Oh, you needn‘t deny it,” blurted Pistol Tommy, impatiently. “ W e know you’ve struck it! We see ‘ PAY STREAK ’ written all over your fa-e as plainly as if you had caused the word to be printed in letters a foot long. \Own up, J ohn- ny! There’s no use of lying!” ‘ Johnny started violently, stepping nearer the speaker. His eyes literally blazed. . “ Don’t venture to even repeat that word in this connection, Pistol Tommy,” he said, stern— ly. “ Let it be well ground into your soul, if you have a soul, that would not utter a lie for all the gold,and silver in the world!” “ Not even to save your life?“ ventured Wall Pickens. ' V .“ No! Not even to save my life!” “ Thanks for the assurance,” said “'all Pick- ens, jeeringly: “ Such sentiments as these cannot fail to be useful. With suchacandid statement as this to build upon we ought to be able to arrive at a satisfactory understanding within the next five minutes. To begin ,with, Johnny, you have struck apay streak, and you: ’re not so mean and selfish as to lie to us about it. You are not only willing to proclaim the truth to the whole world, but you are willing to take us in as partners and share your find with us. Hey, boys?” - “ Yes, that’s just the state of the case,”af- firmed Pistol Tommy. “ And as a step in the right direction, Our esteemed friend will new ta e us down into the Bobtail, and show us the streak of pay-dirt which has made him so happy!” “ Gentlemen," returned Johnny, with calm and di nified severitly, “ you have carried this levity ar enou h. t’s time for me to remind you that my a airs are my own, and that on are neither my partners nor my masters. he Bobtail is mine and mine only. I not only paid a large sum of money for it, but I have expend- ed several months of hard labor upon it. If I have at last struck a pay streak, as you are pleased to affirm, that is a matter which in no. wise concerns you. Having thus made the actual situation of affairs as plain to you as time and patience will permit, 1 must ask you to go your ways in peace and leave me to the enjoyment of mine!” “ But what if we decline to ‘ move on ’ at your orders, my young friend?" queried Doc Howlitt, sneeringly. “ Then I’ll make you !” “ Oh, you will? One against three? It’ll be no easy job. I think. Keep an eye on him, boys, while I go down into the Bobtail and see what under heaven the young bantam has dis— covered that makes him so fierce! Keep an eye on him!” Howlitt made a feint of stepping into the gangway of the shaft, thus distracting the at- tention of Johnny Greer between two points for a single instant. This movement had been carefully thought out and arranged beforehand by the conspira- tors, and the result responded entirely to their wishes. A swift movement on their part, during that unguarded moment, and their revolvers covered the young miner. “ There! take notice, Johnny Greer," cried Doc Howlitt, savagely, “ that we all have the drop on you, and that we’ll send you to king- dom come if you move hand or foot till we give you rmissionl Up with your hands!” Jo nny realized onlytoo vividly their readi- ness to murder—only too vividly realized their advantage. H e held up his hands in silence. ( To be continued.) How to Be Healthy. THE various “ health hints ” which have been going the rounds of the press for several years, are becoming rather monotonous, and it is about time they had fallen into innocuous desuetude. Something more practical and sensible is de manded. The subjoined are warranted to go right to the spot and save many valuable lives, if the directions are strictly followed: Refrain from eating toadstools in mistake for mushrooms just after taking a bath, or between meals. Avoid standing under a ten-ton safe which is being raised to the fifth story of a building with a rope having one broken strand. The safe is liable to make a mash, and the corpse wouldn‘t’ look pretty. If you go up in a balloon and suddenly remem- ber when at a hight of 5,000 feet that your life insurance policy has expired, your life may be prolonged by waiting until the air—ship touches terrafirma, before you step out to have the policy renewed. Don't go lVest, armed with a pocket-pistol, to exterminate Indians. The loss of the scalp is painful, and wigs are expensive. Should you secure passage for a trip to Europe and find the vessel had departed with your baggage ten minutes before on reached the pier, don’t jump overboard wit the inten- tion of swimming across. A shark might grab you by the hind—leg before you had proceeded 500 miles. If you are without money and without friends, and wish to leave this world, don"t at- tempt suicide. In case of failure you would get arrested and locked up. Secure a job in the New York aqueduct. Don’t attempt to shoot the whirlpool rapids at Niagara in a barrel. Use an iron safe for that purpose, and then there will be one fool less in this world. SUN DERED. imam in: wrrr. I sit and dream as the embers fall, One by one from the glowing grate, And the shadow; deep and darken As the hours grow long and late. But I do not he‘ed nor note them As I sit in the flreliabt glow For a dream of the old home aunts me, And makes my heart ache so. Can it be you‘ve forgotten. Will, Have you gone so far astray That the dear pasr never haunts you, In the evenings long and gray? You wandered far from home, Will, From a life of love and joy— Haw Lethe’s wa'ers brought you Forgetfulness, my boy? Have you learned to live it down, Will— l‘he longing for home and care? Have you steeled your heart against it, And learned to do and dare? ’Tis years since we parted. Willie, Since the old home-ties were riven, And the life that God Ordained us, Each unto each was given. Since we shouldered our burdens bravely, Nor asking when nor why, When on that autumn morning I kissed you, W ill, good~by, We left one safe ‘neath the daisies— The fit rest and best of all; Her rest came soon and well. Will; She‘ll sleep till the trumpet's call. If our lives have not been so glad As they were in the old home there, Life never can be all darkness, And of sunshine we’ve had our share: Your lot has been lone and love]. as— More desolate far than mine- Though out of my life ou’ve drifted, My soul will follow I ine. Pray, Will.‘ that the broken chain, w hich boundus, a happy band, Wili link us fast and firm When we stand at God's right hand. The While Phenix; THE 'FLAGMAN’S DAUGHTER. BY ARIHUR F. HOLT, ’ AUTHOR or “ HEADLIGHT nAnnv,’“‘ 'rnn DANDY sronr," “ LI'fl'Ll monrroor,”_irrc. , CHAPTER VII. 'rnii‘. Dunn SENTINEL. Mi: NWBILE, how fared the prisoners at the strong old in the swamp? When the White Phenix took his de ure, afterdelivering his lengthy speech, n- wood was left alone to contemplate the horrors of the situation. . ' _ He had not the slightest doubt that theoutlaw would execute his diabolical threat, and racked his brain to devise some way of averting the vengeanceof his arch-enemy. ' From where he lay the young man could see and talk with his wife in the adjoining apart- ment, and strove to cheer heinwith consoling words; but within his breast he felt the situation to be indeed a hopeless one. The hours were slowly away. About midday the giant African again appeared, bearing a onerous supply of food. It was not the White henix’s intention to starve his captives, at any rate. - Setting down the food,the hunchback liberat- Renw s arms and \assisted him to a sitting posture, after which he fell back a few steps, and stood, with a malicious grin, watchfully re- garding the captive. ' Although Ralph’s arms were free, his limbs were still tightly ,bound,and there was no hope of escapesolong as the keen-eyed Swamp De— mon stood there, armed to the teeth. \ The young superintendent did not ignore the proffered meal. Realizing the prudence of pre- serving all his strength, he partook heartily of the food, which, though rudely cooked, was by no means un latable. Food wasa so proffered Grace, but she refused to eat. After the meal was finished the black guard deliberately replaced Ralph’s bonds, then, still grinning demoniacally, silently withdrew. Once more left alone, Ralph Renwood, as he lay upon the floor of the cabin, chanced to see a faint ray of light that gleamed through an ori- fice in the wall. Rolling over and over, he managed, with con- siderable difficulty, to reach a position where he could look through the opening, which was but a few inches above the floor. v In this manner he could obtain a partial view of the surroundings. He saw that the cabin was in the center of a small clearing, encompassed by a dense grbwth of trees, through which the gleam of distant water might de seen. Under shelter of a huge rock was kindled a rousing fire, over which the white-faced bandit and his grotesque companion were busily pre- paring their own meal. Ralph watched their movements intently. After eating to their stomachs’ satisfaction. the swamp-dwellers reclined at their ease upon the sward. The White Phenix was talking rap- idly, emphasizing his remarks by frequent ges- tures: he was evidently explaining some inter— esting theme, for the hunchback listened with marked attention. Renwood strained his ears to catch the words of the outlaw, but the dis— tance was too great. The afternoon wore away, and as night ap- proached, the two ruifians began to make active preparations for some event or other. Weapons were carefully cleaned and loaded: and. present— ly, the swamp~dwellers left the camp, Without bestowing a glance at the captives. From his loophole of observation, Ral h Ren- wood watched the forms of his foes, as t ey flit- ted among the trees and finally disappeared. It was plain that they were bound on some important expedition: and the young man was surprised that the White Phenix should thus leave his prisoners unguarded. Doubtless the outlaw calculated that Ralph’s bonds were strong enough to hold him safely until they re- turned. ’ What a chance for escape, if he could only free himself from the cords that held his limbs in a hempen vise! The young man’s eyes suddenly fell upon a shining object on the floor, which had hitherto escaped- his notice. It was a long. keen-edged bowie, which had probably dropped from the belt of the Swamp Demon, and remained with ‘ its sharp point deeply imbedded in the floor. The prisoner hailed this discovery with a cry of joy, for he saw a possible means of libera~ tion. 0 Laboriously he wormed his way to the spot, assuming such a position that the sha knife- blade pressed against the cord encirc ing his arms. Then. by a steady, oscillating motion, he sought to saw the obstinate bonds asunder. It was a slow, laborious task, but the knife held firm, and steadily its keen blade performed the work of liberation. Soon the last strand parted with a snap. J oyfully Ralph Renwood snatched up the weapon that had served him so opportunely. A vigorous slash released his feet. and he arose free at last. , His first act was to liberate his wife, who wept with joy at the excellent prospect of es- cape. By this time darkness pervaded the gloomy recesses of the swamp. The wooded island was wrapped in gloom and silence. Renwood felt that delay was dangerous, and prepared to leave the place at once, before the enemy returned. He opened the door of the hut. and cautiously peered outside. Apparently the clearing was deserted. But as the young man took a step forward, a deep ominous growl fell upon his startled ears, an two blazing orbs glared from out the darkness. Ralph paused in surprise, just as the animal, an enormous bloodhound, leaped at his throat, with a ierocious snarl. Quickly recovering the young man retreated within the hut, ant spasm the door in time to avoid the infuriated st Here was a new and utterly unexpected phase to the situation. chwood had forgotten the bloodhound, mentioned by White Phenix as be- ing the faithful companion of the sable Swamp Demon; but now the huge brute made his pres- ence manifest in a most forcible manner. Peeping through a chink in the door, Ralph could see that the dumb sentinel still stood be- fore the cabin, his glowing orbs fixed upon the entrance. » Armed only with a knife, the young man saw the. sheer folly of attacking the formidable ca- nine; and so the bloodhound remained master of the situation. In a fever of anxiety, the young man paced the floor, vaguely )lanning how to dispose of this unlocked-for a. versary. It was exasperat- ing, when escape seemed so near, to be held at bay by a dog. Momentarin expecting his foes’ return, Ren wood planned to elude the watchful brute, and make a bold dash for freedom. There was but one entrance to the but: but Ralph, moving noiselessly to the rear, hastened to make another by cutting into the wall. which was constructed of deerskins laced together with thongs. Working rapidly, he soon made an opening of the requisite size. A hasty glance from the front entrance re- vealed the basilisk eyes of the bloodhound, who still crouched at his post. Now for it! Can- tioiisly Ralph led his wife through the hole in the wall, and together they moved stealthin in- to the thicket. Better to risk a battle with the dog than remain tamely at bay till the arch-enemy re- turned. But scarcely had the fugitives proceeded a hundred rods, when an ominous sound assailed their ears. It was the cry of the bloodhound! Already had he scented the fugitives! Clasping Grace in his strong arms, Ralph Ren- wood darted ahead, heedless of where his foot- steps led, thinking only to elude that terrible foe. Impenetrable gloom shrouded the path. Crashing through dense undergrowth, stum— bling over rocks and logs, on—on he fled, With a speed born of despc: ation. But of what avail was his flight a ainst the superior fieetness of the ,four-footei pur- suerf The bloodhound came on with the persistency of Fate. Ralph could hear the ominous patter of feet. swiftly spurning the ground. Despair- ingly he looked quickly about for a place of refuge. Close at hand loomed an enormous bowlder, with precipitous sides, the top of which was flat, and fully a dozen feet from the ground. Could he reach it? “'ith an energy fairly superhuman the young man scrambled up the side of the rock, still clasping Grace in his arms, and finally succeed- ed iii reaching the top. just as the dumb pursuer flashed upon the spot. . Expecting the beast would spring, Ralph whipped out his knife and braCed himself for the struggle that would surely follow should the animal reach his position; but the attack camenot! The bloodhound stopped at the base of the rock, and. squatting upon his broad haunt-hes, fixed upon the shadowy forms of the fugitives orbs that gleamed with almost human sagacity. He seemed to comprehend that the couple were “treed,” and evidently, in his doggish mind, de- termined to thus hold them at bay until his master. returning. should discover the loss of 'the prisoners and hurry on the trail. Ralph Renwood viewed this proceeding with unutterable disgust. Thwarted again by this demon dog! He would have given all he pos- sessed at that moment for a trusty revolver. The rock upon which the fugitives crouched was split by a wide fissure, doubtless the work of lightning, and by dint of hard labor Ralph succeeded in dislodging a fragment several pounds in weight. With both hands he raised the rock above his head and hurled it at the huge beast below. Un- erringly the missile flew, striking the dog square» ly between the gleaming eyes. Ralph leaped exultantly from the bowlder, to find the bloodhound stretched upon the ground with a shattered skull. However, “to make assurance doubly sure," he plunged his knife several times into the quivering body, then turned to assist Grace, satisfied that the formid— able canine was efl’ectually disposed of at last. Yet, the fugitives were by no means “ out of the woods.” They were on an island several acres in extent. low and swampy except the portion where the huts were built, and sur- rounded by waters of unknown depth. How to traverse the dismal expanse of the swamp wasa problem that now presented itself to the young superintendent. But as, reaching the edge of the island, they cautiously moved along the bank, Ralph en- countered an obstacle that proved to be a birch canoe, half-hidden among the reeds and grass. Delighted, he hastened to launch the craft. and after helping Grace to a seat, he himself em— barked and paddled cautiously away. Though ignorant whither he was oing, Re’n- wood knew that the great swamp ha its outlet in a small stream that flewed into Mad River: and this outlet he hoped to discover. It chanced that into this very creek luck di- rected the course of the canoe. Presently they approached a spot where the forest was less dense, and through the tree-tops mellow moon— light penetrated the swamp, lighting the dark, dismal waters with a ghostly radiance. _ As the frail canoe shot silently into the moon- lit space, Ralph Renwood was astonished to rear voices ahead,mingled with the splash of oars. , At the same time two boats, laden with men, flashed into sight: and in the foremost, his blazing eyes fixed triumphantly on the fu,itives, rode the death-faced White enix. CHAPTER VIII. LOST IN THE SWAMP. Ai‘i'ER a long period of unconsciousness, Headlight Harry opened his eyes. The lad’s head was spinning like a top, and for some time he failed to comprehend his situation; but his aching throat brought to mind the grip of the Swamp Demon’s bony talons, and gradually he recalled the stirring events connected with the train-robbery. The outlaws, embarked in two boats, were in- . dustriously making their wav among the water- courses of a vast swamp. arkness shrouded the scene, for only at intervals did the moon’s rays penetrate the dismal depths. Giant trees arose on every hand. The mournful hoot of the owl, or the shrill cry of the nighthawk, mingled With the sullen splash of oars, were the only sounds that broke the silenCeJ _ Winding between bogs and half—submerged islands. the bandits guided the boats, cursing at numerous snags and fallen trees that frequent— ly retarded progress. The first boat contained the ll hite Phenix, sitting in the bow; his hideous satellite, the Swamp Demon, whoSe powerful arms untiringly propelled the craft; also. Duke Derby, who sat in the stern, with Ruth Sharon clasped in his arms. The other boat, followin a few yards behind, was occupied by the wort y pair of gamblers one of whom rowed, while the other maintain a comfortable position upon the legs of Head- light Harry, who lay near the stern. This craft also carried the bulk of the robbers' plunder. All these details were duly observed b the young engineer, from his position in the at. Shrewdly e lay without moving a muscle, and while the two gamblers fondly believed him still unconscious, the wide-awakefyouth was planning with busy brain. His captors had not troubled to bind him, but the weig t of the burly fellow who sat upon his “3:” .' . 'W‘flibwfirM-y1ym'l‘InfarwfiWfofibfllflimlwv , V. ,‘ . ,. .. M, Wei“... .: