en refuge. "He disappeared in the woods somewhere
and I am going to find him. He is somewhere between this locality and
the edge of the wood where we found his horse. Say but you did not
give him a big enough dose. The animal ought to have played out hours
ago."
"So they tried to poison my horse," was Chot's thought.
"I am going to find him," repeated Jose.
"Quiza!" said Miguel, looking about him, "Maybe you will and maybe you
won't. If he were human where could he go? There is no place here
where he could hide."
"He is here somewhere," retorted Jose, "and I am going to search him
out. He knows too much and I am going to get rid of him. He must be up
a tree and so he must come down."
"Carambo! no," said Miguel. "Nothing but a cat could go up a tree so
quick. We were just behind him. See there are the marks of his
horse's hoofs, the animal never stopped in his stride. The boy went
off just like that," and Miguel blew across his hand with an
expressive little puff. "Same as they did in the cave. Better leave
him alone. No good will come of it."
Chot, who had climbed up into the tree as high as he dared, now drew
himself close to the trunk and waited for the next move on the part of
his pursuers which was not long in coming. He could not see the
speakers below, but of a sudden his attention was attracted to an
adjoining tree. Chot had noted that the branch upon which he was
resting his hands for partial support, was of a remarkable length and
stretched out till it met and overlapped a branch of the next nearest
tree. Some motion upon the branch of the farther tree caught his eye.
To his horror he made out some sort of a wild beast stealthily
approaching. Its yellow eyes were on a level with his own. He gazed in
fascinated terror. Truly his predicament was hopeless. There seemed no
way for him to cope with one enemy or the other. To remain where he
was, would be to become the sure prey of the wild beast. To make any
move for defense would call to the attention of the outlaws his hiding
place.
* * * * * *
WORLD-WIDE ADVENTURE SERIES
_By Edward S. Ellis_
Cloth, 12mo., stamped in colors and gold. Handsomely illustrated.
Price per volume, postpaid, 60 cents.
The books written by Mr. Ellis are too well known to need a special
introduction here. All are bright, breezy, and full of life,
character, and adventure. They cover a wide field, and consequently
appeal to all c
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