Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-10-19

footsteps to a considerable DISTANCE from
it, and darkness coming on we were
forced to give up the search
| don't think either of us slept much
that night. When l went to Frank S
room in the morning, he was already
dressed. 'One word, Harry he said,
before we go. This man is armed to
the teeth and swears that he will not
be taken alive. These fellows seldom
die game when run to the earth, but he
cannot be worse off and may keep his
word. Promise me that, if there is
any fighting, you will act as a reserve,
and leave me to deal with him alone
[ did promise, with some mental res
ervation, and we started. There was Il
long days work before US; all the like
ly places we had come across in our
previous search had to be visited, some
of them miles apart. Franks senses
seemed preternaturally sharpened. No
trace. however slight, escaped his notice.
\ red Indian could hardly have dis
played more sagacity in following up
his enemys trail. 1t was then, for the
first time, that | learned how exciting
man hunt becomes under such cir
cumstances.
Toward evening we reached a noun
tain-our last hope. There was only
one face of it over the sea, where man
would be likely to conceal himself.
That side was composed of a number Of
perpendicular cliffs, separated from each
other by green platforms, varying in
breadth from one foot to ten but all
sloping downward at a considerable an
Gle so as to make the footing rather
precarious The cliffs gradually in
creased in hight until the lowest, which
went right down for one hundred feet
into the ocean.
While taking a hurried cast through
some broken ground, we met little
boy herding cattle. He could not speak
English, but we managed to ascertain
that stranger had given him a penny
the day before to run down the hill for
a lighted turf; when he returned the
man had gone and he had not seen him
since.
The scent was getting hot, and our
spirits rose as we commenced on the sea
side Of the mountain. There were caves
in several of the platforms, and these
we agreed to search together. They
were very narrow, scarcely admitting
one person abreast and it was nervous
work feeling our way onward, not know
ing the moment when the darkness
would be Illuminated by the flash of
pistol which must have proved the death
) signal for one or the other Frank al
ways insisted on going first, and omit
} ted no precaution, examining the outside
carefully for tracks and sending the
dogs forward The latter, however,
were so tired by three days continuous
work as TO be Of little use
We had reached the last shelf bnt
one, and as it contained no caves, and
was nearly all visible from the platform
t Immediately above, which had just been
searched, was about to pass to the
; lower one just over the sea, when a
mark in the fresh earth scraped from 4
rabbit hole across the path attracted my
attention, and on a closer view, | could
distinctly see traces Of a mans foot.
Frank was by my side in a few seconds,
| and down on his knees examining the
track. There was no mistake about it;
there it was, plainly visible, leading in
ward, and no sign of it returning
Some one was in there whether the
man we were in search Of or not, re-
5 manned to be seen. Frank rose from
his knees and drew long breath
ANY outlet from this ? he asked.
None whatever 1t stops suddenly
: about one hundred yards further on.
The rock above and below is thirty feet
= high and smooth as marble. Now that
: remember, there is large stone just
where the pathway ends, behind which
a man might lie. If he were anywhere
else | must have seen him from the up
: per one.
We walked on silent and cautious for
; some distance until we reached a pro-
| jecting rock. | touched Frank.
when we turn that corner we will
be within ten rods of the end
He made no reply, but put his gun
| under his arm and sauntered careless y
t around As he did so | saw him stop
suddenly and draw himself up to his
full hight.
Standing alongside, I could see the
!, figure Of a man crouching like a wild
beast behind the stone; his head was
just visible above it, and the long bar
; rel of a cavalry pistol was pointed di-
rcctly at US. The dogs now sprang for
: ward and commenced baying furiously.
The man was first to speak.
5 Call off your dogs he shouted, 'av
!, yer care for them,
Let the dogs alone, Ryan, said Frank,
coolly. 4 have a warrant for you for
} the murder of Capt. -. Put your
pistol down and come forward
The fellow gave savage laugh
Come, step nearer, Butler, and see
} if your warrant cannot stop ball.
we must give the fellow time to
, think, Harry If we rush at him now,
, he is sure to knock one or the other of
US over, and don't like to shoot him,
if it can be helped
: Had you not better go for some of
your fellows? 1 will keep guard until
your return
They would shoot him at once. l
dare not risk it on that narrow path.
No, dead or alive, [ shall not leave