CHAPTER XXI.
BORDINE AND SHANKS.
The bullet that Andrew Barkswell sent hustling after the fleeing Bordinewent wide of its mark.
The young engineer was moving at such a rate of speed, however, that itwas wholly impossible for him to halt.
He knew not of the near proximity of the creek, and in consequence wentheadlong into the foaming current. His head came in contact with a jaggedrock that partially stunned him so that for the moment he sank beneathits surface.
The swift current buoyed him up, and bore him swiftly from the vicinity.
Dazed and nearly strangled the engineer struggled to save himself fromdrowning. In the endeavor his hands came in contact with a floatingplank, which the high water had floated from the bank.
He grasped the plank with a cry of joy. He felt that there was littledanger of his drowning with such a buoy to cling to.
On down the current swept plank and man. At times the float touched theshore, but in such places the bank was steep and Bordine dared not makethe attempt to land.
Presently, after floating perhaps a mile, the glimmer of a light filledhis eyes.
On swept the plank with its human burden, and soon the light broadenedinto a large flame.
It proved to be a fire built on a level bit of ground near the water'sedge. A man sat in the glow of the fire evidently engaged in cooking hisevening meal.
The sharp bark of a dog seemed to startle him.
"What is it, Tige?"
The dog darted down to the edge of the water, looked wistfully at thestream, then with a final bark plunged into the stream.
He seized one end of the plank and dragged it ashore.
A man, with the water running from him in streams, stood up in thefire-light regarding the dog-owner. "Hello!" exclaimed the man.
"Hello yourself."
"Who are you?"
"A gentleman of the naval service," answered August Bordine with agruesome laugh.
He could not feel prepossessed in favor of the man before him, who wassmall of stature, with a deformed body, bushy red hair and beard, one eyealone visible, the other hidden completely under a black patch.
"Wal," remarked the queer looking man, "you have the appearance of beinga water-fowl anyhow. Come up by the fire and wring yourself, and get thechills out of your system. I havn't got much of a home to offer you, butit's good enough for me, and what's good enough for me is good enough foranybody."
Then the queer stranger led the way to the fire, where the light revealedthe features of the saturated man completely.
"Eh!"
The peddler started and uttered the exclamation as though astonished.
"Now what?" demanded the young engineer as he began to wring himself.
"I reckon I've seen you before."
"It wouldn't be strange."
"Your from Grandon?"
"Yes."
"I git my stock in that town," proceeded Mr. Shanks. "I've seen a heap offolks, and know a--many who don't know me."
"Undoubtedly."
"You remember seeing me at your house 'tother day don't you?"
"I do not."
"Ain't your name Barkswell?"
"No."
The one-eyed man fixed his single optic on the face of the wet youth in aglance that was penetrating.
"I swear, but there's a mighty close resemblance."
"There must be. Many people have taken me to be somebody other than I am.I do not understand it."
"What _is_ your name?"
"Bordine."
"Um!"
The peddler sat down on a log near, and crossing his legs, with bothhands on the back of his dog--he seemed to have only one now--he gazedthoughtfully into vacancy.
"A strange resemblance," he muttered.
"Permit me to thank you for your kindness, Mr.----"
"Shanks--Hiram Shanks at your service," the peddler filled in.
"I might have drowned but for you. This fire is quite comfortable Iassure you, most comfortable indeed."
The steam rose in a cloud about the engineer as he turned about, exposinghis clothing to the genial heat.
"I was eating a mighty late supper," said the peddler. "Fact is I'mnoways regular at my meals; coz the tarverns won't board me for what it'sworth. I bunk out of doors these warm nights, and don't feel afraid withTige for a companion."
"I should imagine not. That dog is a noble fellow."
"Noble! Well, he's the next thing to human, Mr. Bordine. Somebodypoisoned his mate, so't I have to foot it where once I rode in mycarriage. If your anyways hungry, mister, I can give you grub enough suchas 'tis."
The engineer assured the queer fellow that he had no desire to eat sinceit was late when he left home.
"How'd you come in the creek?"
Should he tell the true story to this deformed fellow, who had befriendedhim? Could there be any harm in it?
"Speak right out, young man. You've been into a muss of some sort, and Isympathise with you."
"I am glad to hear you say that."
After a moment given to reflection, the engineer told the story of hisbeing decoyed from home, and of the attempt upon his life by the tramp,and the man from Grandon.
Not a word did the one-eyed man utter during the recital, but the fire inthat single eye grew to a deeper flame, and he pushed up the black patchin a way that betokened extreme nervousness.
The eye beneath the patch did not seem defective to Bordine, yet theslight view he obtained of it was not sufficient to make sure as to that.
When he had finished, the peddler opened his lips to give utterance toone word:
"Fool!"
"I admit it," returned the engineer.
"Beg pardon, sir," uttered Hiram Shanks, quickly, "but after the warningyou'd had, and the death of the detective, it seems to me that you oughtto have been on your guard."
"So I ought; but it was on account of the detective."
"Don't put yourself out on his account," retorted the one-eyed manquickly. "The little experience I've had with a litter of that kind itdon't pay to waste sympathy on 'em. Do you know who the fellow was thatgot you into this trap?"
"I am not positive. I know I saw the fellow once, and at the Golden Lionhe registered as Mr. Brown."
"Exactly."
After a little more questioning, the peddler assured August that it wastime to turn in.
"You needn't be scared. Tige'll watch out for tramps or other enemies tohonest men."
"I would like to reach home."
"You can't to-night. Twon't be long till morning. Wait, and I will gowith you."
After a little reflection the young engineer consented to this plan, buthe found it impossible to sleep for some time in his damp clothing.
The peddler walked into the shadows, and August saw no more of him untilthe dawn of day, when Tige uttered a glad bark and darted into the bushesto greet his returning master.
August sat up, yet damp and uncomfortable, with an intense, burning feverin his veins.
"How far is it to the city?" he questioned.
"Four miles."
The young man staggered to his feet, but sank as quickly.
"You are ill, young feller?"
"I--I fear so," groaned August. "I don't believe it will be possible forme to walk home."
"Of course it won't."
"What shall I do? Can you procure a horse--"
"I can. You must rest here, or at a little shanty up the stream I have inmy mind, until I bring a conveyance. Do you mind?"
"I suppose I must wait. I feel terribly sick and weak."
Then, leaning on the arm of the deformed peddler, August permitted him tolead him into the bushes, where, against the creek bank, was a smallfisherman's shanty, one side of which was open to the weather.
Here, on an old blanket, the peddler left August to await his return.
Tige was left to guard the sick man, and then Hi
ram Shanks hastened fromthe spot.
It seemed a long time ere the peddler returned, and when he did come, hebrought the most startling news.