It was a cloudy night, and there was no
moon to cast shadows. On the wide, wliito
road that led away from the town there was
only dusky stillness. Tho sand glimmered
faintly, and the ragged fringe of bushes stood
a dwarfed and silent spectator of the race
against death. A Blow wind went abroad that
murmured softly over the lonely stretches, as
if crooning a w hispered warning. Sitting low
in the saddle, every poun ! ■>! him disposed to
the best advantage ; crouched so as to afford
the bast possible mark for a bullet; with
slouched hat pulled over his eyes; with quick
glances roaming to and fro, ahead on either
side; starting ut tlio slightest rustle; glaring
apprehensively at the black stumps
of decayed trees; praying that
the dark might last and no
starlight como; stealing a band down now ami
then so feel the Winchester hugged closely
under liis knee, State’s Evidence sped along.
The perspiration rolled from his freckled fore
head ami fell on the wetter withers of the
horse. Tim saddle creaked under the rapid
motion, and it seemed to firn fugitive that the
roll of tho hoofs might be heard for miles. The
cactus sped past him in grotesque shapes, and
the thorny overhanging limbs clutched at him
witli murderous, detaining fingers.
