ned the spot and seized his
comrade by the collar. He jerked him back so forcibly and quickly that
the heavy stock of the rifle missed the lad by a hair's breadth, and
crashed to the floor.

"Do you want to ruin everything?" he demanded, hotly. "I saved you from
murder."

"You won't prevent it this time," cried Bogle.

He tore loose from Raikes, and pulled the hammer of the rifle back. He
took hasty aim at Brick, who gave himself up for dead. Then Raikes
snatched the barrel of the weapon, and knocked it upward. The two men
struggled for its possession, swaying backward and forward. Raikes was
comparatively cool. Bogle was insane with passion. The latter slipped
and came to his knees, dragging Raikes after him.

"Let go!" he cried, with a violent oath.

"No," refused Raikes. "You shan't murder the lad. You don't know what
you are doing, Joe."

Snap! Bang! The weapon had gone off. Raikes' nerveless fingers let go
of the barrel. Without a cry, he toppled over on his side. When the
smoke cleared, a few seconds later, his white face stared up at the
roof, and from his forehead trickled a little stream of blood.

Brick looked on, mute with horror. The sad disaster instantly sobered
Bogle. He dropped the rifle, and staggered to his feet. Then he bent
over his companion, and rubbed the white, still face.

"Silas! Silas!" he called, hoarsely.

There was no movement or reply. Bogle groaned aloud, and covered his
face with his hands.

It was then that the thought of escape flashed into Brick's mind. The
odds were against him, but anything was preferable to staying here at
the ruffian's mercy.

Snatching up the rifle, he sped across the floor. He reached the door,
and flung it open. A hoarse cry rang in his ears as he leaped across the
threshold. He ran on without even a backward glance.

"Stop! Stop, or I'll kill you!"

Bogle's voice was husky with anger. His heavy steps came clattering in
pursuit.

Brick was now across the clearing. He plunged into the tangled thickets
of the swamp. He strained every muscle to escape. His heart beat high
with hope.

For five minutes he twisted and dodged in every direction, planning thus
to throw his enemy off the track. The fresh snow offered little
resistance, and the older crust underneath easily bore his weight.
Finally he stopped to listen. To his dismay, he heard a snapping and
threshing of dry bushes not far behind him.

"What a fool I am!" he muttered. "I forget that