he felt himself raised to his feet, and the
strong grasp relaxed its hold. He looked up at his captor, and saw
him standing before him regarding him with a grim smile. "So you're
the Gualtier, are you," said Obed, "of whose exploits I have heard so
much? You're rather a small parcel, I should say, but you've done
con-siderable mischief, somehow."

Gualtier did not know what to make of this, but thought it only a
little preliminary play, after which he would be flung headlong into
the river by some catapultian kick.

"See here," said Obed; "a fellow that pretends to carry a revolver
ought to be ashamed of himself for firing such shots as you did. You
infernal fool, you! you've gone and lost six of the best chances any
man ever had, and not one of them'll ever come again. What is worse,
you've gone and disgraced America in the person of her great national
and original weapon--the everlasting revolver. Don't you feel like a
fool? You know you do!"

At this extraordinary address Gualtier was, if possible, still more
bewildered.

"You deserved to be caught," continued Obed, "for you tempted
Providence. Providence gave you the most glorious chance I ever saw
in all my born days. After using up your chance with the revolver you
had this here boundless plain to run upon. Why, I've dodged a hundred
Indians in my day with less of a chance, and all the odds against me,
for they were firing at me. But you couldn't be shot down, for I
didn't happen to feel inclined to use my revolver. It didn't seem
fair." And saying this, Obed tenderly drew out his revolver from his
breast-pocket, and exhibited it in a loving way to the astounded
Gualtier. "I saw," he continued, "that it would be a most
unscientific waste of lead. The very first shot you fired showed that
you were utterly unacquainted with our American invention, and the
next was as bad. Why, out of the whole six only one hit me. See
here."

And Obed held up his left hand. The last joint of the middle finger
had been shot off, and blood was still flowing.

Gualtier looked at this with fresh amazement.

"Why," said Obed, "if I'd had one-tenth part of your chances, and had
been in your place, I'd have got off. With such a start I'd engage to
escape from a dozen men. I'd drop six with the pistol, and dodge the
other six. See here. Do you see that bit of woods?" And taking
Gualtier's arm, he pointed to a clump of trees that rose like an
island from the plain. "Do you see tha