every step I take can
be traced. It's a question of speed now--nothing else will save me."

So he dashed on at a striding gait, paying scant heed to brambles or
thickets or obstructing rocks. The rifle swung lightly in one hand. He
almost forgot that he had it.

Nearer and nearer came Bogle, noisily threshing the undergrowth. In vain
Brick made desperate spurts. In vain he twisted to right and left. He
knew that he must soon be overtaken. He shuddered to think of what would
happen then. He need hope for no mercy. Strength began to fail him.
There was a throbbing pain between his eyes.

Suddenly he came to a fallen tree, with a thick copse of bushes behind
it. He tried to mount the obstacle, but slipped back. Before he could
make a second attempt, Bogle was at his heels.

"I've got you!" he cried. "Your time has come."

Brick wheeled around like a panther at bay. He cocked the rifle, and
pointed it at the ruffian.

"Stop!" he shouted. "I'll shoot you if you come closer."

"The gun's empty, you fool!" exclaimed Bogle, with a mocking laugh.

He came on, fearlessly.

Brick thought the scoundrel was lying. In desperation he pulled the
trigger. The hammer fell with a dull snap.

But Brick was determined to make the most of his freedom. He eluded
Bogle's grasp and sprang over the tree, still holding the useless rifle.
He plunged through the copse of bushes, and saw before him a strip of
level, open ground, on which rested a thin covering of slushy snow. He
went across in a dozen leaps, though more than once he sank above his
ankles in what felt like soft mud. As he reached the bushes on the other
side, he heard a shrill yell of terror behind him.

CHAPTER XXV.

TORTURED INTO SUBMISSION.

Brick was tempted to push on without looking back. But when a pleading
appeal for help rang in his ears he hesitated and stopped.

Bogle had sunk above his waist in the middle of the slushy spot, which
was nothing less than a treacherous bog. He was struggling desperately
to free himself, and his face was ashen-gray with terror.

"Don't leave me here, youngster," he pleaded. "It's a regular
death-trap. I'll never get out alone. Help me, quick."

"I can't do it," replied Brick. "I'll only get in myself. Anyway, I
would be a fool to put myself in your power. You've murdered the man
that tried to help me, and you ought to hang for it."

Bogle swore a terrible oath,