He took deliberate aim.




CHAPTER VIII

AN UNKNOWN ENEMY


The footsteps outside came nearer the entrance. Chester's finger
tightened on the trigger of his revolver, as he saw the stranger in the
tent draw himself taut.

At that moment Hal's figure appeared in the entrance.

There were two sharp cracks, so close that they seemed as one, and two
spurts of flame in the darkness. Came a cry of pain from the stranger in
the tent and Hal dashed forward.

"Quick, Hal! Grab him!" shouted Chester.

But quick as he was, Hal was not quick enough. With a snarl the man
jumped toward Hal even as Hal leaped himself. The stranger was of much
greater bulk than Hal and the lad was hurled to the ground. When he
regained his feet the stranger had disappeared.

Chester, unmindful of his wound, had leaped from his cot and now ran
outside. Some distance away he saw a figure disappear in the darkness.