"GOOD-BY, SWEETHEART." 2IQ 



for mercy, and his adventurous career had never been stained by an act that ought 

 to bring the blush to his cheek. 



Mr. Godkin believed Jack's anger toward the captive was partly assumed, and 

 it was without the least misgiving that he surrendered the prisoner to him for 

 disposal. 



There was a mysterious smile on the face of Jack as he said : " All right ; let 

 me have him." 



Wart and Adz recoiled a step or two, doubtless convinced that the wild man's 

 hours were numbered, but the cousins, who, like the director, knew Jack better, 

 had no such idea. 



The javelin was retained, and I may as well state that the investigations after* 

 ward made proved that it was tipped with one of the deadliest poisons in existence. 

 Had Mr. Godkin but pricked the wild man's skin with it, he would have died within 

 a few minutes. 



But he was a cunning dog, and knew how to help his own cause by an assump- 

 tion of innocence at the critical moment. 



Taking him by the arm, Jack Harvey walked slowly to the edge of the encamp- 

 ment, pausing at a point where there was just enough light from the fire to reveal 

 his actions. 



His friends walked a few steps after him, so as not to lose the sight. 



Good-by, sweetheart!" 



As the Texan uttered the words, the captive stood directly in front of him. 

 Simultaneously with the farewell, he delivered a kick which lifted the African from 

 the ground and sent him half a rod forward. 



As the wretch landed, he uttered a yell like that which had escaped him when 

 the native chieftain punctured him with his spear, and vanished in the gloom of 

 the night at headlong speed. 



I think Jack Harvey did exactly right; at any rate, no member of the expedition 

 ever saw the scamp again. 



