.

THE ORATOR OF THE DAY.
"Hannibal!" the judge's voice and manner were rather stern.

"Hannibal, a man rode by here last night on a big bay horse.

He said he was looking for a boy about ten years old--a boy with a bundle and rifle." There was an awful pause.

Hannibal's heart stood still for a brief instant, then it began to beat with terrific thumps against his ribs.