Part 19 (1/2)

Not a sound could he now hear to indicate which way the fugitive had taken Moreover, the tracks coht when the boy had taken a few paces into the shalloater and spongy -point with a stake, and then follow round the in of the swamp until he discovered the spot where the rider had crossed

It was a tedious process, but apparently there was no option So he resumed the weary tour with such hope as he could summon

Arnold found the tracks after inning to creep over the forest The footprints were more distinct now than they had been at the other side of the ress But, as the darkness fell the work became more difficult He had to stoop low in order to see the tracks at all, and ulti the footprints with his fingers, just as a blindthoroughly exhausted Still he plodded on with dogged perseverance His knees were grazed and his back was aching, especially where the rifle was strapped; and at times he even stumbled and fell in a heap, from which each time he found it more difficult to rise than on the former occasion

It was indeed a trial that would have taxed the strength and nerves of the strongest When we reone that day, we have reason to wonder that he endured so long Still he persevered Inch by inch he felt his path in the pitch darkness, crawling through the bush with only hooting owls and whining wolves for coave way, and he floundered unconscious upon the earth

CHAPTER XVI

A NIGHT'S TERROR

When Bob reopened his eyes, it was to awake suddenly with the horrible feeling that he was being watched by some hidden foe

He started, and as he did so he was conscious of the sound of h for hi out his ar that arripped his rifle as he stared around hirestlessly all around hi like stars to indicate hoas being watched

Just then a wild, long-draail rent the night air beside him The boy's blood seemed to run cold at the sound, for he knew that he was surrounded by a horde of tiht hi would their ered to his feet and held his rifle in readiness But the ghouls of the night kept at so here and there, as if they were discussing plans a themselves

The boy waited--it see a dash fro back, until Bob actually began to long for the attack to begin, that the strain of waitinghis rifle like a club, at random The butt met a soft substance, and a wild howl followed, as a wolf that had been creeping upon hi co ails and howls and snarling, as the wolves sprang upon their wounded comrade (as is the way of many wild animals) and tore him to pieces

Yet Arnold dared not leave the spot If he ran, the wolves would soon be upon hi prey is more closely pressed than one that stands at bay Moreover, he was in the centre of a clearing If he were to enter the woods, there would be many quarters from which he would be open to attack and unable to defend hiht wore on, and the moon crept up into the arc of the sky His eneh the shadows prevented hireat was their nuht deceived hi--they were in sufficient nuer, and it would need sharp watching to ward off the attack effectively

So long as there was a reht and snarl over, Bob was left in peace But presently the strife becans he knew that he had again become the object of their unwelcouard with every nerve strained to catch the first sight and sound of danger

Then he sao large for towards his stalking garass

Bob waited until they drew near He was reluctant to exhaust a cartridge unless it was an absolute necessity His as to exercise the force of his muscle on these as he had done with their predecessor

But, as the wolves came within a few yards, they stopped and eyed him cautiously, and in this position the furred ene each other, just as wrestlers watch each other's eyes to discover the vantage rip

The time passed, yet neither side moved Then, to Bob's disathered together, and were slowly creeping upon him in the wake of these two leaders

And with the knowledge, the boy seeer His blood rushed hot to his head He fired one shot at the foreripped his weapon by the ht for the pack

”Coht and left