tly
elapsed between them; but the rain came down as if the "windows of
heaven were opened," and a minute's exposure was sufficient to drench
one to the skin, while the wind, soughing through the trees, made the
hours as dismal and dreary as it was possible for them to be.

The three Riflemen who stood as sentinels, were Dick, George Dernor and
O'Hara. No changes were made during the night, as the men would have
looked upon such a proceeding as childish and foolish. O'Hara was
leaning against a tree, some ten or fifteen yards from the camp,
watching that portion of the wood which immediately surrounded him, as
well as the occasional gleams of lightning would permit. While doing
this, his gaze fell upon a stump, about twenty feet distant. As the
lightning flamed out, he saw distinctly a bareheaded man seated upon
it!

At first sight of this singular apparition, O'Hara started, rubbed his
eyes, fixed his gaze upon the spot, believing that he had been
deceived. A moment later, as another flash illuminated the wood, he saw
the man again. He was seated on the edge of the stump, his feet and
arms hanging down, and, as stated before, without any covering for his
head. The latter was bullet-shaped, and the view which was afforded of
him was so perfect, that the hunter saw he had short, curly hair, of a
reddish color. His eyes were small, but sparkling like an Indian's,
and, when they could be seen, were fixed with frightful intensity upon
the Rifleman. The whole expression of his face was forbidding and
repulsive.

At the first distinct view of this man, came the conviction to O'Hara
that he had seen him before, and he spent a few minutes in endeavoring
to remember where and when it was. He was unable to do so, however,
although he was positive that he was an enemy to him.

"I don't care who he is," muttered O'Hara; "he ought to know better
than to squat out there when he knows I have seen him. I say, old
chap," he called, in a louder tone, "come down off that stump, or I'll
fetch you."

Whoever the person addressed might be, it was evident he cared nothing
for the command of the hunter, for the latter, the next moment, saw
him, not only seated as immobile as ever, but with a sneer of contempt
upon his face. This so exasperated O'Hara that he instantly called out:
"I'll give you two seconds to get off of that, and if you don't do it
in that time, I'll tumble you off."

He brought his rifle to his shoulder, so as to be re