Bert Wilson, Marathon Winner

n fo

carrying. It caught the snake just as it darted forward and broke its back. It f

asked, with a horrible f

seemed to be tangled up in my sleeve. Perhaps his

shirt sleeve. Their hearts almost stopped beating. There, just below

hipped out his handkerchief and tied it tightly just above those ominous spots. Then

ort and long notes in the Morse alphabet that told of deadly need and peril.

n fourteen miles away. Fourteen long miles over a rough forest road. There was no telephone or telegraph in that wilderness. The only hors

came over the hill, telling him that

r lip, old man," as he clapped Tom on the shoulde

had passed beneath them like the flight of an arrow. But it is doubtful if they had ever seen a white man running at such speed as Bert's, as like a young Mercury with winged heels

ches blown down in storms. Even where it was comparatively clear, the pine needles that carpeted it in spots offered a slippery and treacherous footing. Low-han

ungs were laboring and his breath came in gasps that were almost sobs. He took a grip on himself. At this rate he would coll

covered the ground at an amazing rate. His breathing became easier and he knew

ked the location of the town. It put new speed into his feet and life into his veins. He would win through. He must win

malicious eyes in which a devil lurked, the ugly triangular head, the long slimy diamond-marked body that turned him sick with

d too heavily his vital forces. He must concentrate o

avoid injury that would cripple him, he knew he could win. He had shed hat and coat and vest, had even thrown away his knife and whistle to

. He caught a glimpse of people at doors and windows staring at him as though at an apparition. A team drew hastily aside to let him pass. A straggling line of

of him. He was dripping with sweat, his face was h

tor," he

keen-faced man, appearing a

known his errand. The

ness up and be with you in a minut

be a thoroughbred-would find it hard to negotiate the distance within two hours. And what might happen to Tom in that time he did

of its journey removed and its cylinders shining. It was the work of a moment to explain matters to the proprietor and see that there was plenty of gasoline in the tank. He sprang to the driv

ted the wild-eyed youth a

ed, "on this road. You'll split it

cried Bert. "We mus

e was precious. Then he rose to the occasion. His sporting blood was roused. He would take

rt let

he little knot of townspeople who had hastily collected was lost in the roar of the exhaust. The town itself melted away like a dream. The wind w

saster. The car lunged from side to side and the doctor, down on the floor of the tonneau, held on for his life. Again and again they grazed death by a hair's-breadth and escaped as by a miracle. Yiel

heart leaped in a wild riot of exultation. He patted the wh

. We're running for Tom. You know Tom, good old Tom. You've carri

the road that led to the lodge, and with a triumphal blast from its horn tore up to the door. Before it had fairly stopp

ppearing at the door. "I didn't dare to hope

rned by the whistle, Mr. Hollis and the caretaker had hurried to Dick's side, and together they had carried Tom to the house. They had kept the ligature tight and had cut out the part

d there was no hesitation or uncertainty in his treatment. His quick sharp commands found ready obedience from his willing helpers, and after an hour of the hardest k

er, I wouldn't have answered for him. We can thank this young man," looking at Bert, "for saving his friend's life. By George, such driving! I've never ridden so fast be

eat luck,"

t skill," ej

Mr. Hollis gravely, and no

er. It was a quiet meal as all were feeling the reaction from the tremendous efforts of the morning. But their fatigue

l the trouble. The long body, as thick as a man's wrist, stretched out in a wavy line across the

terror!" ex

you can see from his rattles. If you don't mind, I'll take these rattles along and hang them up in my office. T

ther snake, living or dead, for the rest of my natural life." And as every one else felt the sam

back to town in the auto, but th

Hollis. "Not another thing

enough for one day. I'll take the doctor down myself. He won't go back as fast as he came up, but he'l

'm concerned," he said. "My appetite for speed has been satisfied f

morning. But the doctor who had taken a great liking to these young specimens of manhood overruled thi

meantime, don't worry. The worst is over and it's only a matter of careful nursing for the next few days and he'll be on

r and Bert and the 'Red S

one the worse for its wild ride, started on its way back to town, while Bert and Mr. Hollis,

good old Scout," murmure

ght. The patient was getting on famously, but the shock to his system still persisted and he had been for

alf whispered, "what Reddy sa

d, and cudgeling his memory, "no

're fit to run f