ly into the water. The
center of the stream was sufficiently deep to hide his trail, even had
the bottom been less favorable than it was. But this was hard, gravelly
and pebbly, and he walked close to the edge without fear of betraying
himself.

Having gone a considerable distance, he approached the bank, and made a
leap which carried him several feet upon it. He alighted upon the face
of a large, firmly-fixed stone, where, poising himself for a moment, he
sprung to another; and then, making a fourth leap, came down upon the
ground. By this artifice he avoided leaving any visible trail until so
far from the creek that almost any pursuer would fail to discover it.
This explains why his two pursuers did fail in pursuing him.

"We're safe again for a while," said the Rifleman. "Any one who comes
upon our track must do it between us and the creek."

"I feel greatly relieved," said Edith.

"And much more comfortable, I suppose?"

"Why, of course," she replied, half laughing, as she turned her
gleaming, radiant face up to his.

The Rifleman hardly knew what he did. A mist seemed to come before his
eyes, and he felt as though floating in space, as, acting under an
electrifying impulse, he stooped and kissed the warm lips of his fair
companion. This transport of bliss was changed to the most utter misery
when she answered, with every appearance of anger:

"You ought to be ashamed of yourself to take advantage of my
helplessness."

"Are you offended?" he asked, his very voice showing his wretchedness
of feeling.

Edith looked up with flashing eyes, crimsoned face, and silent voice,
as if she would annihilate him by her very look. Gradually a change,
like the sunlight breaking through the storm-clouds, overspread her
features. The light of her eyes grew softer, and the expression of her
face more merciful, until, as the hunter had paused and scarcely
breathed for her reply, she said, with one of her most enchanting
smiles:

"I am not offended. You may kiss me again if you wish to do so."

"If I wish to," said the Rifleman, drawing her to him. "If I wish
to----"

Here his words became unintelligible. He continued kissing her until
she checked him.

"Sh!"

The crackling of some bushes a few yards away showed that they were no
longer alone. The whole aspect of the Rifleman changed. The lover
became the ranger instantly. Cocking his rifle, he placed himself in
front of Edith so as to confront this unexpected dange