, 1863-02-26

None whatever. 1t stops suddenly about 100
yards further on. The rock above and below IS
~ ieet high: and smooth as marble; NOW that l
remember, there is q large stone just where the
pathway ends, behind which man might lie; II
ne was anywhere else, l must have seen nm from
the upper one" =.
We walked on, silent and cautious, Tor some ds,
tance until we reached projecting rock; touched
FRANKS shoulder. When we turn that corner
you Will De wlihn ten yards o. the end 49,
he MADE no reply Dut, Wild MS gun under ms
arm, sauntered carelessIy round AS ne did So
saw him stop suddenly and draw himself up to his
full height. Ranging alongside, could see the
figure Of man crouching like wild beast behind
the stone his head was just visible above IT, and
the long barrel OF cavalry pistol was pointed
directly atus. The dogs now sprang forward and
connenced paying IurlOusly' Inc man was the
hrst 70 speak:
Call on yer dogs" he shouted, "aV yer care
Tor them!
let the dogs alone. Ryan" said Frank, eoolly:
have warrant against you Tor the murder Of
G, Put your pistol down and come forward"
Inc fellow gave savage laugh.
Come step nearer Butler and see II yer war
rant VIII stop ball!
Franks eye flashed at the threat, but, restrain
ing himself be drew me back to the shelter Of the
Wemust give the fellow time 10 tnink; harry
II we rush at him now, he Is sure to Knock one or
other OF US over; and don't like shooting him, IL
it can be helped" ..1-
Had you not better 60 for some OF your tellowsI
l will keep guard until you return"
"They would shoot him down at once: would
have to order them odo so. dare not risk their
lives in that narrow path. No; dead or alive,
shall not leave this place without MN.
He stepped back few PAGES and scanned the
rock above attentiVely:
DO yo1 see that holly.bush right over him:
Harry Gould you get to without beng Scent
Easily but what good could do tnerer
leave that to me, Old fellow. HIS hank VIII
be turned, ai all events and you will have him uil-
der your gun. Don't hfe until you see me down !;
then use your own discretion.
With some reluctance ! consented to 60 round:
1aklng on my shoes, crept cautiously down and
peered over. had scarcely done so when Frank
stepped out again, with bis watch 10 bis hand.
He spoke low, but every word fell on my ear dis
tlnctly:
Il shall give you iye minutes, Ryan II You
don't throw down your arms then and come out,
expect no mercy, for you will get none. III shoot
you 9s Would mad dog
SAY your prayers in the meantime said the
ruillan' Jeeringyi "youI Tant tnem II you hit
that gun to your shoulder.
The nve minutes which ensued were the longest
ever spent IN my LIE. II was q glorious sum
mers sevenlng. Inc sun was gong down. throwing
q HOOD OF silver llght on the blue ocean iar below,
and on the white wings OF he sea'gulls. Is they
lifted IN and out IRON their nests 10 the elm. The
rabbits were at play on the slopes, and colony ot
choughs, with their scarlet bills and glossy plum
age, were wheeling and screaming over my head
But Tor that crOuchIng, oloOdstalned creature be,
meath. all Nature would have looked peaceful ana
happy. tried to Keep counting tne second: 6y
the beating OF my own heart which was plainly
sudioe' but every trliIng incident distracted my
attention. There was great BLACK snail craving
towards stone and began to speculate whether
he would reach 1t before the time was up, linen
wren, whose nest was 10 the bush, perched on