Part 31 (2/2)

Slowly the day wore along until night was once more on the pair Peck had tried to stand up, but the effort had proved a dismal failure

”It's no use,” he murave a sickly grin

The night was one Captain Moore never forgot He was hungry, but there was nothing at hand hich to satisfy the cravings of the inner ain, and once he struggled violently, thinking he was fighting with an Indian, as trying to tear out his side

With the co desperate and that hetour, leaving the soldier where he lay

”I'll be back inside of half an hour,” he said ”Make yourself as coone”

”Don't desert roaned Peck ”Promise to co officer promised

On the opposite side of the brook was a series of rocks leading to the top of rather a high hill, and Captain Moore had an idea that from this eminence he could obtain a faint view of the fort and its surroundings

Half of the rocks were passed when he caroan ahead had reached his ears As he stopped and listened the groan was repeated

”That sounds faht ”I've heard that before But where?”

At last he made up his mind that the sounds ca up courage he ain, but with his rifle before hihtest provocation

”The panther--and dying!”

The young officer was right There on a shelf of rocks lay the wounded beast, its breath colassy stare that caused the captain to shi+ver in spite of hi the panther tried to rise But the effort was toowith pain, in a pool of blood which had for a bullet through its head, but then he remembered that ammunition was scarce and lowered his rifle

”He'll be dead by the tiht, and continued on his way up the ained, and he looked around eagerly At first only the plain far below met his view, but presently he made out a spot which he knew must be the fort But all was in a blue haze, and no details could be distinguished

Having spent quarter of an hour on the mountain top he picked his way back to where he had left the panther The creature had now breathed its last, and lay stiffened out on the rocky ledge

”Ito eat, and so must Peck,” he said to hih, but they will be better than nothing

I'll go back for the hunting-knife and cut off as much meat as we'll be likely to need for a couple of days”

When he reached Peck's side he found the soldier sleeping quietly, and did not disturb hienerous slice of the pantherthe rest to the wild beasts

The captain hated to build a fire, fearing it would attract the attention of the enemy, but he did not wish to eat the un into the midst of some dry leaves By this means he soon had a blaze, which he fed with the driest wood he could find, thus avoiding a great cloud of smoke Over the blaze he cooked the steak, which was soon done to a turn

When Peck awoke he felt stronger, and readily partook of thedown the meat with some water from the brook

”What do you calculate to do now, captain?” he asked

”From the top of yonder hill I can see the fort in the distance,”

answered the young officer ”But how to get to it is a question It would be a hard enough journey as it is, without having to be on guard against Indians and desperadoes”

”Better leave o it alone”