wayside,
and the charge had taken effect in the side of the face. The sight of
one eye was destroyed beyond a peradventure, and that of the other
endangered by a possible injury to the optic nerve. A sedative was
administered, as many as possible of the shot extracted, and the
wounds dressed. Meantime a messenger was despatched to Sycamore for
Fetters, senior, who came before morning post-haste. To his anxious
inquiries the doctor could give no very hopeful answer.

"He's not out of danger," said Doctor Price, "and won't be for several
days. I haven't found several of those shot, and until they're located
I can't tell what will happen. Your son has a good constitution, but
it has been abused somewhat and is not in the best condition to throw
off an injury."

"Do the best you can for him, Doc," said Fetters, "and I'll make it
worth your while. And as for the double-damned scoundrel that shot him
in the dark, I'll rake this county with a fine-toothed comb till he's
found. If Bark dies, the murderer shall hang as high as Haman, if it
costs me a million dollars, or, if Bark gets well, he shall have the
limit of the law. No man in this State shall injure me or mine and go
unpunished."

The next day Ben Dudley was arrested at Mink Run, on a warrant sworn
out by Fetters, senior, charging Dudley with attempted murder. The
accused was brought to Clarendon, and lodged in Beaver County jail.

Ben sent for Caxton, from whom he learned that his offense was not
subject to bail until it became certain that Barclay Fetters would
recover. For in the event of his death, the charge would be murder; in
case of recovery, the offense would be merely attempted murder, or
shooting with intent to kill, for which bail was allowable. Meantime
he would have to remain in jail.

In a day or two young Fetters was pronounced out of danger, so far as
his life was concerned, and Colonel French, through Caxton, offered to
sign Ben's bail bond. To Caxton's surprise Dudley refused to accept
bail at the colonel's hands.

"I don't want any favours from Colonel French," he said decidedly. "I
prefer to stay in jail rather than to be released on his bond."

So he remained in jail.

Graciella was not so much surprised at Ben's refusal to accept bail.
She had reasoned out, with a fine instinct, the train of emotions
which had brought her lover to grief, and her own share in stirring
them up. She could not believe that Ben was capable of shooting a man