Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/365

 mercy and was gloating as he pictured him crouching helpless behind the tree just in front, another stick snapped off to the left and again he was afforded a glimpse of a disappearing form.

He knew it was Abner. No one else in that neighborhood could so escape him, and baring his strong teeth in a snarl he set himself to work to run down this will-o’-the-wisp. He began by running with the speed of a deer towards the point where he last saw his prey. He now was convinced that the cruiser was unarmed. Believing this he devoted all his energies to overtaking the fugitive.

But Abner seemed as evasive as a whip-po’-will. He could be seen just for a second and occasionally heard, but there was no drawing near enough to shoot him. The half-breed had the advantage in years and strength and could make three feet to Abner’s one, but the veteran had the advantage of being in the lead. He was called upon to waste no time in deciding what course he should take; to the contrary the half-breed was often puzzled which way to turn. He usually discovered the right direction by a timely view of Abner’s back. But so soon as he arrived at that point he would sight his quarry far off to one side. Once he cunningly