Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/368

 Flat-top. Apparently he believed he had fooled his pursuer and was now beating back to aid his friends.

With a hoarse cry of joy Nick renewed his pursuit. Again some mysterious power told Abner he was being chased, and fighting off his stiffness he renewed his tactics of yesterday. But the half-breed rejoiced as he observed the veteran was not moving with his usual sprightliness. More than once the rifle was sighted, only to be lowered with a cruel smile as Nick decided he had the game in his own hands and preferred to play with his man as a cat torments a mouse.

When Abner realized this fact, his mouth set in stern lines. He was exhausted and must be captured, he told himself. It simply remained to see how far he could lead the dark-faced foe from the neighborhood of the camp.

“I’d give anything if only Charlie could pop out and take charge of this affair,” he groaned as his foot twisted and a sharp pain shot up his leg.

It was at this juncture that by a desperate effort he appeared imbued with the strength and elasticity of youth, and heedless of his aching ankle led the half-breed a furious chase for nearly a fourth of a mile. Enraged, and