The Boy Chums in the Forest

ge snake launched itself forward from its coils stra

ley leaning over in his saddle struck with the butt-end of his riding whip at the writhing coils. Though it seemed an eternity to the helpless watchers it was really only a few seconds ere the pony sprang away from its loathsome enemy and Charley with

his trembling horse, ran his keen eyes over the animal's legs and flank

Chris," he commanded, with a b

just removed the bridle when the pony sank to its knees, struggled for a moment to rise, th

He flung himself on the ground beside h

long but I've got mighty fond of you, Billy, and when the time

estlessly to and fro as th

he wounded leg had already swollen to twice its natural size, the body was twitc

you useless suffering, Billy." He drew his pistol from his belt, took careful

he strode over to the pack pony and removing t

and distributed equally amongst the party, and soon a

shaken Walter who once more

nd it's a poor return to merel

heerfully. "The shoe may be on the other foot next

u are the only one of us qualified to lead this party. Hereafter, wh

of mind. Walt," he continued earnestly, "I do not want the responsibility but I am not going to shirk it now that it i

sitors of the other ni

wn to us," he reasoned. "Mark my words, we have not seen the last of them,-but hush, he

ptain. "Chris says there's a big bird in the mi

rom the small prairie-like patch. Charley ro

he said. "It's a b

harley?" demanded the

that were equal to

eckon dis nigger goin' to show you chillens

y, gently, "you can't get it and

ed. "Tink dis nigger can't shoot, eh? You-alls jus

outh set in a grim line. "Time for

rds of the crane when he unslung his rifle and dismo

careful aim. The crack of his rifle was followed by a

got 'em," he cried. Like a flash he was on h

d Charley, but the little

the pony's head and leaping from his saddle plunge into the grass. Only the top of his head was visible but they could trace his progress by that and it was very, very slow. At last he reached the crane and slinging it over his shoulder began to retrace his footsteps. His return was infinitely slow, but at l

sickly smile. "I got 'em, Mas

exposed the body of the great bird and held it up to view. The captain and Walter gave an excla

ting season," he

dat grass cut like knife, an' dat ole mister cr

c, wretched, little figure a

was merely a plot of grass was really a saw-grass pond, and that sand-hill cranes are not fit for use this season of the year; but suppose that

ith a snort of anger he dug the spurs into his pony's flanks and soon was far ahead of the rest

river ahead,

n Westfield, scarcely less excited. "

imals were so worn out that it was dusk before they rea

ht. The little darky began awkwardly, "Massa Charley, Massa Cap say you de leader an' he going to do just what you say widout axin' no questio

nd, and his new responsibility was weighing heavily upon his young shoulders. As the evening wore on he still sat silent, buried in thought. The capt