White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-08-06

''Twas well for u.s. said Moss, as they were
ascending, that DAILY was not in the cave; for
he'd picked d of these bushes, one BY one, as
we pick squirrels from tree.'
With the first grey light the men started from
their dumbers, and prepared to move. After
snatehing hasty meal they were about to ride,
when Dove said, Somehow l don't think that
DAILY has gone on. rather guess he was to
meet the lad here. So if you think that FIVE on
you is enough for one man, I'll 20 down again
and wait till you come back.
Reused from his slumbers by the morning
light, DAILY sprang to his feet and approached the
edge of the precipice that overiooks the ford.
Accustomed as he was to the wild scenery of the
picturesque counties of Habersham and Ra-
bun, this rude man stood upon the brow of the
rock gazing with wonder at the scene before him.
To the north lay the blue hills of Rabun, capped
with nists; to the south, twenty miles Of forest
we're spreading their autumn dyed leaves to the
sun; below him, at the depth to twelve hundred
feet, were the boiling waters of Falloola.
"Tain't often,' said he, as he folded his arms
/ u
pictur as this
At this moment the party was crossing the
ford.
'Shattlin,' said Cooley, as he pointed with his
finger to the rock, what's that7'
At this question the party looked up; and 10!
DAILY, who had also seen them, was retreatins
from the edge of the precipice.
''Tis he,' said Shattlin, in shrill whisper.
Hes ours now. He's ours, money and ALL
Urging their horses through the ford, the men
rode at full speed up the sides Of the mountain.
and when, from the nature of the ground, the
painting animals could go no further, they dis
mounted, secured their beasts, and continued the
ascent on foot At length they reached piece
of level ground, out of which arose, to the
height of sixty yards, the almost perpendicular
rock to which DAILY had retreated. Here, at the
distance of thirty yards from its base, they de-
termined to call parley, and having fred ri
He to attract his attention, they made woods the
echo with the name of DAILY.
What do you want with me7' asked DAILY;
who, completely screened BY bushes and rocks,
had been watching the maueurers Of ths party
below.
'Wewant to know why you killed the Squire p
shouted Moss.
Ibid not kill him. replied Daily. ''Twas
young Rowell did it,
You lie, Ned DAILY said Shattlin, stepping
forward. You did kill the Squire. You killed
him to get the thirty thousand dollars. You've
got them, Ned DAILY, but you shall never spend
them; for, by the living God, if we stay here
for one month you shall die for this deed
Then die first, you dog shouted DAILY. And
shattlin fell pierced through the brain by rife
ball.
To shelter cried Moss, as he hid himself
behind tree. The three others Immediately
followed his example.
Stir from those trees said DAILY, and so help
me God, I'll serve each one of you as served
Shattlin.'
Leaving the men in this strange position, DAILY
retreated to the side of the precipice that over
hangs the falls. II was the only side from which
escape was possible; but accustomed as he was
to the rocks and precipices, Days heart sunk
within him, as he looked down the gulf that
was boiling fearfuly below. ''Tis no use look
in said he, it has been done, and it must be
done agin. I was fool to catch myself in such
trap
Drawing out brandy flask, he drained it to
the dregs, and then, after trying several places,
he commenced the descent in earnest To his
surprise. however, he found it was as easy to de-
scond to the water on this side the falls as on the
other; and he regretted, when half way down,
that he had left his rife on the top of the rock.
In the course Of an hour he had descended to
within twenty yards of what is termed the rim
of the basin, and that which at first was barely
faint hope of escape was fast becoming GER
tainty, when the report Of a rife rolled and rat
tied along the cragged sides Of the mountains,
and Daily, springing backwards, plunged head
long in the foaming waters.
Now for the money shouted Dove, from the
other side Of the stream. The body must come
up at the ford
Singing his rife across his back he began ra-
pidly to climb the precipiee. But the tragedy was
not ye. complete; for, when he arrived within
eight feet of the summit, Dove heard some one
calling him by name, and on looking up, his eye
met the disfgured face of the boy Frank. He
was kneeIing on the edge of the precipice, hold
ing in his hand heavy mass of rock.
Dove said he, If you stir finger, viii
dash you to atoms Dove remained stationary,
vainly attempting, as he held by the bushes above
him, to find solid resting place for his feet. It
was position which be could not long sustain.
Fatigued BY his previous exertions, he gradual
ly felt himself growing more and more weak;
and yet, when he remembered his cruelty to the
boy, he dared not hspe for mercy. At length,
however, urged BY fear and pain, he cried:
For Gods sake, let me come up, Frank. I'm
CROWN faint. l can't hold on much longer
But the boy remained memorable.
'oh! save me, Frank. shrieked Dove; save
me! The waters are gOin over me. ! hear
them sound in my ears
They have rolled over uncie,' said the boy,
who san unmoved the arms Of the hanging
wretch quivering from exhaustion.
Atlength Dove turned his face upwards. He
was too weak to speak, but his face spoke vol
unes- Moved BY its agonised expression, Frank
threw the rock aside, and cried:
Gene mp. Sove-eome u7-I forgive yO1r