The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 05, No. 32, June, 1860 by Various
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page 20 of 270 (07%)
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adventure may be shared by some of his associates. For the world he would
not have this happen. Nothing could tempt him at this moment to swing his rattle. His blood is roused, and he will make this capture himself, alone and without aid. He rapidly reconsiders the chances. "This fellow does not know the turns," he thinks, "or he would have taken Cushman Avenue, and then I should have lost him." This is in his favor. On the other hand, Mr. Smithers's action is impeded by his heavy overcoat and rubber boots, and he knows that the pursued is unincumbered in all his movements. It is a fierce, desperate struggle, that mad race down Leverett Street, at one o'clock on Sunday morning. At each corner, the street-lamps throw a dull red haze around, revealing the fugitive's slender form as he rushes wildly through. Another moment, and the friendly fog shelters and conceals him from view. Breathless, panting, sobbing, he ere long is forced to relax his speed. The policeman, who has held his best energies in reserve, now puts forth his utmost strength. Presently he gains upon the runaway so that he can detect the white feet pattering along the red bricks, rising and falling quite noiselessly. He ejects imprecations upon his own stout boots, which not only fail to fasten themselves firmly to the slippery pavements, but continually betray by their noisy splashing his exact position. |
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