Frank Merriwell's Champions

ught Frank, leaping up and ru

from the group of archers, and

odged in the upper part of her left arm or in her shoulder. Then she staggered to her feet. When he

of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Her dress was of faded cotton, her shoes heavy and coarse.

riwell. "Will you not let

tared toward the lads who were rushing in that d

at the arrow, which lay on the grass at her feet, where she had flung it as if it were a snak

ow strike you!" Me

rang back into the path, and vanished behind the tree and into the

There's the arrow. I saw her pluck it out of her arm or shoul

oice. "I hope she isn't much hurt. That was an awkward slip I m

ensive glance. It was caught by Hammon

nd. That arrow might have killed me. It would cert

don't think I would do such a thing on purpose. It was a slip,

cked himself, in the fear that he

mean follow the girl," suggested Rattle

path that led behind the tree, and hurried along i

hich would have taken her back toward the village, but had plu

probably is, and where she can have the wound dressed. That is, if she was really wounded, which I doubt, from her actions. Perhaps

shooting ground. But it was universally conceded in a little while that no good could be done by trying to follow one who knew the wilde

ing pain in her shoulder; and, at the same time, Bruce Browning, wrapped in a heavy coat and with a handkerchief knot

se I was a fool for leaving the cottage. I wish I had taken that other path, even if it is farther around. The

h from the woods, came into view, and was s

stopped a

eady herself by a sapling, and

d, stirred by the sight. "She must b

nimbleness that would have been surprising to his friends, and

r arm!" he declared, with a gasp of as

rming. He lifted her head, then let it drop back, and stood up and looked dazedly about, wondering what he shou

e thought. "I'll ca

s strong arms, and started down the path, moving in

uckily, they'll not be apt to see me. No doubt they are whanging away with the

stared into the

ow that missed the target and flew off

his arms, until he came to the rivulet he had seen gurgling over the rocks. There he put her down, as tenderly as if she w

er in his cap and began to bathe her han

s about to rip up the sleeve of her dress to ascertain the nature of t

rts, and a little later had the plea

ay up into his face, then

ce begged, slipping an

demanded, putting up

there, a little while ago," Bruce explain

the blood, and made anothe

, standing panting and

. "I 'low ez how I must hev got dizzy-lik

lf, with the feeling that perhaps something in the way of an

ar behint the tree, an' they didn't see me tell I stepped out, an

ing. "Do you think you are much hurt? Perhaps you had better ma

down, as if to hid

me, which, ef I ever git thar, I'd

art down the path, but was

ondition to go a

"ef that is what you mean. But these hyar mounting peo

could see that

long with Frank Merriwell's party, which arrived in Glendale only the day before yesterday. We have become members of the Lake Lily Athletic Club

as he himself realized, but it slipped off h

to assist you," he continued, "and to see t

e ain't got no use fur citified people, with thar store clo'es, an' sich. So I rec

white face, saw that she was so weak she was again on the point of falling.

got himself into his coat, and prepared t

was larger. A bar of light from the descending sun fell through a wooded notch in the hills and lit up the small panes of its one window with a ruddy fire. A morning-glory,

ad not often needed Bruce's helping hand, even where the way was rough. N

"My arm ain't hurtin' so much ez it did, an' dad's a master hand ter fix up a wound like that. I

ed Bruce. "I'm glad to h

s cap, and moved

she calle

ned and f

said, again li

d once more sought the blind path th

back to the cottages," he growled. "What in thunder makes a

s coming, but now he again drew the coat collar abou

groaned. "I feel just as if a lot of icicles were chasing up and dow

xertion of climbing warmed Bruce, bringing the perspiration out on his face and body. He pushed b

ickening gloom. "I don't remember this slope, but of course we crossed it in

, with the unpleasant feeling that he had

rtload of malaria if I have to lie out in these woods to-night. Well,

the darkness increasing, he came to another halt. A gleam of

reflected, "and perhaps if it seems impossible f

of relief, which changed to one of surprise and bewilderment when he was

ed to Bob Tho