The Phantom of the River

ng west wind blew steadily up stream. Masses of clouds were drifting across the s

e shall run the risk of an attack where we are,

m, "we are without any protection at all in this open ground. We

ay on the ground, as helpless and inanimate as a log. Each taking him by a should

shaken, slapped, and vig

ic) your rattler; let 'em bite-who cares?

to that degree that he was able to wobble forward, partly sup

d Mr. Altman, "he wouldn't have gotten a drop from me. The only man

till greater precaution was observed. The females were kept near the centre and th

re that he was following a well-marked path. A companion on his right and another on his left had noted something of

side of Rattlesnake Gulch. The pioneers were now quite close to that ill-omened spot, and the burden of the expedition rested whol

. It sounded the next moment further to the right. He knew it made by one of the Shawanoes, who, with a

er the leaves, and was accompanied by a delicate whirring noise, which Hastin

warning of the rattlesnake can make no

th of the pioneers, as if to apprise them of the appropriat

over-dose of the universal remedy for the rattlesnake's venom. When in his sober senses, he was one of the bravest and most skilfu

eir escort free to attend to their delicate task, George Ashbridge and his father took charge o

nd son, though he swayed from side to side and leaned heavily upon both. He continued mutt

they were quite near their destination, "want to

trunk of a tree. Despite his broken utterance, a vague se

essity of throwing off the spell which muddled his brain. As

ly, he looked around in the gloom

re g

ouse, but it's a long way off. We a

Deane, wobbling forward again

ort to penetrate the gloom in which all were enveloped. His companions noted

brain still muddled, "too dark to see;

s, the guide, decided it would not do to approach any closer. Th

ock-house. Although they could hardly see each other's forms in the darkness, a few minutes sufficed to prove none were missing. All were there, but, ah! for how long should this

asked Mr. Altman, in

o the edge of the river, and wait for Kenton

lared in his broken way. Before he could be questio

as sober as I oughter be, but I give it to you straight