Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/229

 His mouth relaxed as Bub’s rifle rang out, for he knew the youth had caught a glimpse of the enemy. Then he came to a hillock, spruce covered, and for the first time was able to take in the situation at the front.

Stanley was running through a fringe of hard wood growth, While the half-breed perilously near was dodging from side to side to get a line on him. Stanley seemed to appreciate the other’s purpose, for he repeatedly leaped aside from a straight course, seeking to put as many trees between him and Nick as possible. The half-breed apparently had paid no attention to Bub’s shot, or else in his lust to kill had not heard it.

“Dodge into the spruce!” yelled Abner, forgetting that the fugitive could not be expected to hear.

But if he could not reach Stanley with his warning he could convey a message to Big Nick. Taking deliberate aim at the bobbing figure he pulled the trigger. Almost at that moment the half-breed half stumbled and this mishap doubtless saved his life. As it was the bullet grazed his head, and with the quickness of a fox he dropped from view. Stanley raced on, now grasping the situation.

A puff of smoke told of Nick’s hiding place as