The weekly Butte record., 1863-11-28

they were, and then they ceased, and
for another FIVE minutes all was silent.
It had now become 50 dark thatnothing
could be distinctly seen atany distance;
and though l crept cautiously to the
edge of the rocks, and tried to peer
down, it was like attempting to look in
to some black gulf. Ny situation under
tie circumstances. was lonely enough,
but experienced secret satisfaction
in being where was, and not down il
the cave, where I rather felt or thought
some one or more person were lying in
wait for ne.
| At length the same low murmur, as
il voices, again heard, and again I lis
tened with ny whole sense Of hearing
on the stretch. I soon became satisfied
that words were being spoken-but then
came the thought that it might be the
mysterious voices had heard at inter
vals all my life. This time, however,
was not long in doubt-for pres
emily l could distinguish the words, as
if the speaking in the cave had come
out in the open air.
1T is strange he does not make his
appearance y said one.
Il do not know how to account for
it, replied another.
Are You perfectly sure YOU saw him
at all :" inquired a third.
Gam I sure | am here now?'' was
the reioinder. Have not eyes ? And
cannot I see with them tell you he
was within a mile Of here, coming along
that narrow dangerous patti, with his
pack strapped on his back. Here We
know is where he. usually passes the
night in this region, and why he is not
here is more than I can conjecture"
IF he had gone past, We should have
heard from the others before this" re
marked the other speaker.
"UndoubtedIy," was replied. ''No,
he must be somewhere on the mountain,
unless he has fallen over the precipice
and broken his neck, in which case we
shall find all we want of him in the
morning, and be saved the trouble of
blood-lctting"
Gould he have got near enough to
hear our voices ?" inquired another.
"No, for Ricardo is SO posted that he
would have seen Or heard him first
"Well, then he may be here yet
Hark hush there are steps coming
this way now,' said the speaker, in
whisper, which I could just barely hear,
the night being still, and my position
directly over the parties: ''Now then,
be ready and let US make quick work
Of itr'
After this the robbers were silent as
death; aud with feelings which must be
left to the Imagination, listened to the
approaching footsteps, which I knew
were mistaken for mine. 1t was with
shuddar, and strange kind Of dread,
that l heard footsteps slowly anl stead
ily approaching, with now and then a
slight rustic of the bushes, and the &C.
casional loosening and rolling of a stone.
| felt that some human being was NOV
ing onward to his doom, and | could
have called out to beware, if | had
known l could have saved him with
with anything short Of a penalty of my
own life.
For few seconds Of awful suspense
which elapsed, trembled SO that was
fearful of being heard, and the perspi-
ration started from every pore.
Suddenly there came wild prolonged
shrek, and the thrilling words-''Oh,
my God my God l am stabbed, | am
killed, am killed !"
Gracious God" cried another
what have We done! That is Ricardo's
voice a light here, quick, light =
A dark lantern was in readiness, and
the next moment a light flashed upon
the dark figure Of human form stretch
ed cut upon the ground, in the last CUR
Cling struggles Of death.
4 scene of CONSERVATION and confu-
sion followed, when the murderous rob
bers found they had slain their own
I ILL. -. --~-.,.l =, !, G.. -.