“Stop!” he shouted. “I’ll shoot you if you come closer.”
“The gun’s empty, you fool!” exclaimed Bogle, with a mocking laugh.
He came on, fearlessly.
Brick thought the scoundrel was lying. In desperation he pulled the trigger. The hammer fell with a dull snap.
But Brick was determined to make the most of his freedom. He eluded Bogle’s grasp and sprang over the tree, still holding the useless rifle. He plunged through the copse of bushes, and saw before him a strip of level, open ground, on which rested a thin covering of slushy snow. He went across in a dozen leaps, though more than once he sank above his ankles in what felt like soft mud. As he reached the bushes on the other side, he heard a shrill yell of terror behind him.
CHAPTER XXV.
TORTURED INTO SUBMISSION.
Brick was tempted to push on without looking back. But when a pleading appeal for help rang in his ears he hesitated and stopped.