oonlight he beholds, not his direst foe, but his
faithful servitor. There upon his own horse, with his own gun in hand,
sits one who causes him mechanically to exclaim--

"Jupiter!" adding, "Heaven has heard my prayer!"

"An' myen," says Jupiter, soon as somewhat recovered from his
astonishment at what he sees; "Yes, Masser Charle; I'se been prayin' for
you ever since they part us, though never 'spected see you 'live 'gain.
But Lor' o' mercy, masser! what dis mean? I'se see nothin' but you
head! Wharever is you body? What have dem rascally ruffins been an'
done to ye?"

"As you see--buried me alive."

"Better that than bury you dead. You sure, masser," he asks, slipping
down from the saddle, and placing himself _vis-a-vis_ with the face so
strangely situated. "You sure you ain't wounded, nor otherways hurt?"

"Not that I know of. I only feel a little bruised and faint-like; but I
think I've received no serious injury. I'm now suffering from thirst,
more than aught else."

"That won't be for long. Lucky I'se foun' you ole canteen on the
saddle, an' filled it 'fore I left the creek. I'se got somethin'
besides 'll take the faintness 'way from you; a drop o' corn-juice, I
had from that Spanish Indyin they call the half-blood. Not much blood
in him now. Here 'tis, Masser Charle."

While speaking, he has produced a gourd, in which something gurgles.
Its smell, when the stopper is taken out, tells it to be whiskey.

Inserting the neck between his master's lips, he pours some of the
spirit down his throat; and then, turning to the horse near by, he lifts
from off the saddle-horn a larger gourd--the canteen, containing water.

In a few seconds, not only is Clancy's thirst satisfied, but he feels
his strength restored, and all faintness passed away.

"Up to de chin I declar'!" says Jupiter, now more particularly taking
note of his situation, "Sure enough, all but buried 'live. An' Brasfort
been a tryin' to dig ye out! Geehorum! Aint that cunnin' o' the ole
dog? He have prove himself a faithful critter."

"Like yourself, Jupe. But say! How have you escaped from the robbers?
Brought my horse and gun too! Tell me all!"

"Not so fass, Masser Charle. It's something o' a longish story, an' a
bit strangeish too. You'll be better out o' that fix afore hearin' it.
Though your ears aint stopped, yez not in a position to lissen patient
or comfortable. First let me finish what Brasfort's begun, and get out