taring, unseeing eyes, which gaze out in every direction, as the
jolting of the cart turns and twists the body from side to side. There
is something colossal, something strangely stirring in the suggestion
of purpose in the figure. There is something to inspire wonder in the
most sluggish mind. It tells a story of some sort of heroism. It
tells a story of a master mind triumphing over bodily weakness and
suffering. It tells a story of superlative defiance--the defiance of
death.

* * * * *

The early risers of Spawn City were gathered in a stupefied crowd
outside the principal hotel in the place. Six jaded horses, drawing a
light spring-cart, had just pulled up. The poor creatures were utterly
spent, and stood with drooping heads and distended nostrils, gasping
and steaming, their weary legs tottering beneath them. Their great
eyes were yearning and sunken, and their small ears lay back,
indifferent to every sound or movement about them. Their last buoyancy
has been expended. They have run their mad race till their hearts are
nigh bursting.

But the horses were of the least interest to the onlookers. It was the
dusty spring-cart that interested their curious minds--the cart, and
the still and silent driver, who made no attempt to leave his seat.
They stood gaping, not daring to disturb the ghastly figure, not
daring even to approach it too closely. Their minds were thrilling
with a morbid horror which held them silent.

But at last there came a diversion. A burly, rough-clad man pushed his
way through the crowd, and his keen eyes flashed a quick look over the
whole outfit. He was the sheriff, and had been hurriedly summoned.

"Wild Bill!" he muttered. "Them's sure his plugs, too," he added, as
though seeking corroboration.

There was certainly doubt in his tone, and surprise, too; and he came
to the side of the cart and gazed up into the awful face drooping
forward over the outstretched arm to further convince himself. What he
beheld caused him to click his tongue against the roof of his mouth.
It was his only means of giving expression to the wave of horror that
swept over him.

With a leap he sprang into the seat, and began releasing the knotted
reins from the stiffened arm. So tight had the knots been drawn that
it took some moments. Then he turned, and with difficulty removed the
rawhide from about the middle of the huddled figure. Then he hailed
some of the onlooke