Part 16 (1/2)
”Well, I've crossed his trail since then No gaylord is alive to-day, and so is the girl Soain at the floor
”Couldn't the little girl be traced?” said Necia ”What was her name?”
Stark made to speak, but the as never uttered, for there ca roar that caused Lee's candle to leap and flicker and the air inside the cabin to strike the occupants like a blow Instantly there was confusion, and each htedly, for the noise had come with utter unexpectedness
”My God, I've killed him!” cried Gale, and with one jump he cleared half the room and was beside Stark, while his revolver lay on the floor where he had been sitting
”What is it?” exclaimed Burrell; but there was no need to ask, for powder-save answer It hiter than that of his daughter, who had crouched fearfully against the wall, and he shook like a ue But Stark stood unhurt, andthe first bound from his chair, he had relapsed into his customary quiet
There had blazed up one htway, for no man could have beheld the trader and not felt contrition His condition was pitiable, and the sight of a strong man overcome is not pleasant; when it was seen that no harht of the accident
”Get together, all of you! It's nothing to be excited over,” said Stark
”How did it happen?” Runnion finally asked Gale, who had sunk lie of the bunk; but when the old ible, and he shook his head helplessly
Stark laid his finger on the hole that the bullet had bored in the log close to where he was sitting, and laughed
”Never mind, old man, it missed me by six inches You know there never was a bullet that could kill me I'm six-shooter proof”
”Wha'd I tell you?” triu his one eye upon the Lieutenant ”You laughed atto believe it myself,” declared the soldier
”It's a cinch,” said Stark, positively,
Doret, of all in the cabin, had said nothing Seated apart from the others, he had seen the affair from a distance, as it were, and now stepped to the bed to lay his hand on Gale's shoulder
”Brace up, John! Sacre bleu! Your face look lak' flour Coood, father,” urged Necia
The trader silently rose, picked up his hat, and shaht behind the French his head, and Burrell res like that in arun invariably gets a greater shock than his co your pardon, Miss Necia,” said Runnion
Poleon led his friend down the trail for half a rip of hi before, Poleon, never in alltheir faces dimly
”Why?” said Doret
”Why?” echoed Gale, with a start ”Well, because I'm careful, I suppose”
”Why?” insisted the Frenchman
”I--I--I--What do you mean?”
”Don' lie wit' me, John I'm happen to be watch you underneat' my hat w'en you turn roun' for see if anybody lookin'”