“Stick him up at a hundred yards, boys,” said Dick; “ef he is a _snake_, give him a 'small show' for life, and ef I miss him at the first fire we'll let him _slip_.” The culprit aroused on hearing this, and plead for the smallest chance in the world. “Don't shoot me like a _mad dog!_” he exclaimed, in most piteous accents. “You're worse, you hound,” said his late antagonist; “and if Dick don't wind up your business for you, _I_ will.” “Come, boys,” continued Dick, “you all know that this old iron's _certain_, so give the varmint this chance--it'll please him, and he'll die off all the easier!” After some persuasion, Dick's request was acceded to, and the parties took their positions. Life hung, for the culprit, by but a thread, and that thread the will of Kelsy. Slowly the latter raised his rifle, while the party, breathless, intently fixed their eyes upon the victim. Dick's hand began to tremble, and his aim became unsteady, for the sickly form of the stranger's wife again seemed to rise and plead for mercy--he rested his rifle on the ground, without the heart to fire; but, in an instant the vision fled, and his eye fell clear upon the countenance of the stranger; a morning ray lighting up his features, exhibited a gleam of mingled triumph, hatred, hope, and revenge--there was no mistaking its dark expression of contending passions. The pity that had almost unnerved Kelsy and saved his foe, vanished, and raising his rifle sudden as thought, the weapon rung out the stranger's knell. As the ball from its muzzle sped through his brain, a wild shriek arose upon the air, and all was again still--they loosened his bonds, and he fell forward, _dead!_ His remains were consigned to the earth without a tear, even from his companion, to whom the tragedy-had been imparted. His cruelties had long since obliterated from her heart the last spark of early fondness; all she requested, when the grave had closed over him, was to be sent to her friends in Ohio, which was kindly done by the settlers--Dick bestowing upon her his whole stock of fine furs to defray her expenses. Kelsy set himself down in undisturbed possession of his claim, and Sam, his faithful slave, often points to the small green mound at the edge of the grove, with the remark-- “Dat's Massa Dick's signature to dis land claim--_dat is!_” YALLEK PLEDGES; OR, THE FIGHT ABOUT SALLY SPILLMAN.