and his eyes flashed a bitter hatred at the
lad. Again and again he struggled furiously to escape from the oozy
quagmire. His body sank lower and lower, until the surface of the bog
was almost level with his armpits. Then his rage changed to abject
despair.

"For the love of Heaven, save me," he begged. "Don't you see that I am
being sucked down? I will be dead in five minutes. There lies a log at
your feet. Roll it out here. The bog will easily bear your weight."

Brick looked on with horrified eyes. He could not make up his mind what
to do. It was hard to risk the freedom which he had gained at such cost.

Bogle noted the lad's hesitation.

"Don't be afraid," he cried. "I swear to do you no harm. If you get me
out of this place, I will set you free. I will give you all the money
back, and will guide you to the edge of the swamp. Do you think a dying
man would deceive you?"

His voice rose to a shrill pitch, and he extended his arms appealingly.

Brick concluded to trust the ruffian. He could not bear to go away and
leave him to such a terrible fate.

"I'll save you, if I can," he said, "and I shall expect you to keep your
promises."

"I will, lad," declared Bogle. "I swear it. Quick, or you will be too
late. I'm sinking deeper all the time."

Brick took hold of the log, and rolled it slowly across the quagmire.
Several times he sank to the knees. Finally he twisted the log around so
that the farther end came in reach of Bogle's hands.

The man grasped the log with a glad cry. He pulled and tugged for nearly
five minutes, and gradually worked his body loose.

"Give me a lift, youngster," he said, "and I will be all right."

Brick walked half-way across the log, and extended the rifle.

Bogle grasped the weapon by the barrel. He came slowly up until his
knees rested on the log. He was covered with filthy black mud from head
to foot. With an effort he rose to his feet.

A strange gleam of triumph flashed across his crafty face. With one
hand he snatched the rifle from Brick, and with the other he seized
the lad by the collar.

"I've got you again," he exclaimed. "That was cleverly done."

Brick was at first too dazed by this unexpected treachery to offer any
resistance. He permitted his captor to lead him across the log to firm
ground.

Then he struggled to break loose.

"You promised to let me go," he cried, indignantly.

"Is this the way you reward me for saving your life?"

Bogle laughed harsh