, 1863-02-12

were. be had no 1ear As thefe we're no good hiding
places for man. Ere long the woods began to
get thicker and more sOmbre Little hillocks, COW
cred with bushes, became frequent, until at last
they became long range skirting each side Of the
road. The horseman felt that the time which was
to try him was near ct hand, and he dropped the
reins until his hand covered holster pistol which
he firmly grasped 10 such . manner q person
would not notice, and he assiihed an air Of care
lessness, though his watch was now keener than
ever. At length be came to Q place which he felt
contained his ehetny. Nature seemed to have
adapted this place for the putpose Of concealment.
The rocks which skirted the road ct this place
were about breast high and 30 perpendicular q u
have the appearance Of wall they were covered
with growth Of bushes 30 thick as to be nearly
mpervi0us. The tall trees on each aide Of the road
twined their tops together, forming natural fOof
Of leaves and branches and rendering the place -
dark and dismal a. midnight.
Il was scene sufficient to appal the stouteSt
heart; but the hurseman, although be knew that
the next moment might be his last, rode forward
with an cir as careless as he might have worn had
he been travelling the streets Of populous city
His hand stiIl grasped the butt OF pistol, and
his keen eyes still searched each covert Suddenly
pistol shot rung out upon the ar, and his hat
fen to the ground, with bullet hole through Il
not more than an inch above where biz head had
been. Instantly ttfnihg in the direction Of the
sound, be beheld slight wreath Of smoke curling
up from behind bush, and, without moments
hesitation, be levelled bis pistol and fired. The
aim wa terribly fatal. A wild shrek was heard,
and the next moment there sprane from behind
the tree, not the charcoal-burner, as be had en-
pected, but his wife. The blood flowed copiouGly
from her forehead, and presented horrible spec
tacle. She tottered to the edge Of the wall Of
rocks, and fell into the road corpse.
"Had known that II was woman" Tie horse
man muttered, u never would have fred. But II
is too late to mOralize What can have become
Of my friend the charc0al.burner
As be spoke, be turned round quickly and en-
countered the object Of his thoughts. ItWas lucky
for him that he was 20 quick. The heeharcoalb lburner
held cleaning knife In his hand, already upliited
to strike. While the hoTseman's attention had
been engaged BY the tragical end Of the woman,
be had silently crept up behind him. and the would
be assassin sprang forward, making . desperate
pass at bis breast. The horseman still held the
discharged pistol in his hand, and with ID long
barrel managed. to parry the blow.
sides, and the goaded beast spFang forward % Vio
Ienty as to dash The hecharcoafburneft to The gfOund
and leaped completely over him. dAshihg the knife
from his hand and leaving him stunned in the mid
die Of the road. The horseman turned instantly,
and, drawing the remaining pistol from bis holster
waited for the other TO rsc. The latter staggered
TO hs ieet, and. leaning against the foclD on the
side Uf the road, gazed slllenly and fevengefhlly
on his cOnqueror. Thus the strange couple ~
garded each other for some time, until at last the
hOFseman broke the silence:
go, my friend, be aid, your career b ended
at last"
Yes, curse yodl I'd rend you asundeP, too,
f"-
"You dared, I presume" put IN the stranger.
" l doubt not your good intentions, and can only