this river a man sought his life, as the savages of old sought
the hunter. Another glance showed him that pursuer had closed up half
the distance between them, and, snatching one of the pistols from his
belt, he fired. He knew that he had missed, as he saw the water spurt up
beside the boat, but he thought that his bullet and the probability of
more might delay the pursuit. Nevertheless the man came on as boldly and
as fast as ever. If he fired a third time he could scarcely miss at such
short range.

It seemed to Harry the gift of Heaven, that a whole pack of clouds should
drift above them at that moment, deepening the obscurity and making the
pursuing boat, although it was so near, a shapeless form in the mist.
He could not see the features of the man, but he was able to discern his
large and powerful figure, and he noticed the rhythmic manner in which
his arms and shoulders worked at the oars. Obviously he had no chance to
escape him by flight, and drawing his second pistol he fired. The bullet
struck the boat but did no damage. The man came on faster than ever.
Harry took a desperate resolution, and, whirling his boat about, he
rowed it straight at his pursuer, who was now almost level with him. He
intended to ram and take his chances. His movement was so quick and
unexpected that it succeeded. The bow of his boat, helped perhaps by a
wave, struck the other with such violence that both were shattered and
sank instantly.

Harry went down with his craft, but in a few seconds came up again,
his mouth and eyes full of muddy water. He was a splendid swimmer,
and his eyes clearing in a moment he looked toward the northern shore,
seeking an easy place for landing. They encountered ten feet away a
large sun-browned face and two burning eyes.

"Shepard!" Harry gasped.

"And so it was you, Lieutenant Kenton. Perhaps if I had known it was you
I wouldn't have fired upon you."

"Don't let that deter you. We're enemies."

"I merely said 'perhaps!' I like you, but that wouldn't keep me from
stopping you by any method I could from reaching Lee."

"I'm sure it wouldn't. I like you, too, Mr. Shepard, but we're enemies
here in this river, deadly enemies, and I mean to beat you off."

"One may mean to do a thing and yet not do it. I'm the larger and the
more powerful. Besides, I'm toughened by superior age. You'd better
surrender, Mr. Kenton. I don't want to do you any bodily harm."

"I admit that you're