As Hank Jones pulled the trigger, a shaggy object bounded through the
bushes full at the throat of the villainous murderer.
August recognized the peddler's dog. Man and dog rolled down the bank to
the water's edge. In the struggle the disguised outlaw's beard was torn
off, and Andrew Barkswell stood revealed.
"Curse you, I'll knife you for this!" grated the baffled villain.
The next instant a keen blade gleamed in the air, just as a voice called:
"Tige, come off."
The dog was used to obeying his master's voice, and so he released his
hold just in time to avoid the knife of the maddened Barkswell.
"Here, Tige."
The dog came bounding up the bank.
The single eye of the peddler glanced down at the man who struggled to
his feet at the water's edge, and sprang into a canoe.
"So, you, Tige. Why was you going for our friend in that way?"
The peddler patted his dog and talked scoldingly until the escaping
villain was well out in the stream, paddling away.
Quickly Hiram Shanks strode down to the water.
"Hey, you, man--August, what you leaving for? You'll surely get caught.
Pages:
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176