The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-01-30

care for them!''
LET the dogs alone, Ryan said Frank
coollr. Il have 4 warrant for you for The
murder OF Captain -----. Put your pIsto
down and come forward
The fellow gave savage laugh.
Come step nearer, Butler, and see i
| yer warrant can stop a ball!'
Franks eyes flashed at the threat but re-
stralnng himself, he drew back to the shelter
Of the angle.
1--WE must give the fellow time 10 think,
Harry If we rush at him now, he is sure to
knock one or the other of us over; and don't
like shooting him, if it can be helped"
Had you not better 90 for some of your
fellows? I will keep guard until YOU return. -
"They would shoot him down at once. |
dare not risk their lives on that narrow path
No, dead or alive, | shall not leave this place
without him."
He stepped back for few PAGES and scanned
the rock above attentvely.
DO you see that holy-bush right over
him, Harry? Could you get to it without be-
ing scen?'
Easily; but what good could do there"
Leave that to me, old fellow; his flank
will be turned at all events, and you will have
him under your gun. Don't fire until you see
me down; then use your own discretion"
With some reluctance | consented to 90
round. Taking off my shoes, I crept eau
tously down and peered over. had scarcely
done SO when Frank stepped ont again with
his watch in his hand. He spoke low, but ev-
cry word fell on my ear distinctly.
81 shall give you five minutes, Ryan; if
you don't throw down your arms then and
come out, expect no mercy, for you will get
none. III shoot you as would mad dog"
"Ihen say your prayers in the meantime,
said the rufian jeeringIy; ''you'l want them
if you lift that gun to your shoulder
The five minutes which ensued were the
longest ever spent in my life. It was a glo
rious summers evening. The sun was going
down, throwing food Of light on the ocean
fax below and the white wings Of the seagulIs
as they fitted in and out OF their nests in the
cliff. The rabbits were at play on the slopes,
and and a colony Of choughs, with their scar
let wings and glossy plumage, were wheeling
and screaming over my head. But for that
crouching and boodstained figure beneath,
all would have looked peaceful and happy. I
tried to keep counting the seconds by the
beating Of my own heart, which was plainly
audible; but every trjAing incident was suffi-
cient to distract my attention. There was a
great black snake crawling toward a stone, and
| began TO speculate whether he would reach !
1t before the time was up Then wren, whose !
nest was in the bush, perched on twig near
me, and commenced chattering and swearing
IN my face, until hawk came gliding round |
and the little fellow, with a cry of terror, dis
appeared in the grass
Two minutes had passed away. looked |
down at the murderer It was evident the .
words were beginning to tell. He was moving
nneasiIy from side 10 side, like wolf in a !
trap. Several times he examined the lock of
bis pistol, and tried to find a place in the rock
which would afford him more shelter. Once
thought he was going to speak, but the
words seemed to choke him. Then crossing
himself devoutly, and having arranged the
weapon apparently to his satisfaction, he lay
'ulIen]y bidng his time
Would the five minutes never pass? Frank
still stood directly in front, watch in hand, and
he gun under his arm. He had lit a cigar
md was lounging lazily back against the cliff
Careless as he appeared, knew him too well
o doubt that he would hesitate for second
n going Or firing as he had promised. At the
inc, he was giving his antagonist fearful odds
Then only began to realise the part had to
Nay. 1t was unfortunately too plain. The
nan must be disabled before he could commit
mother murder, That could only be done by
hootlng him down. In fair fight | would
ot [ think, have hesitated but my blood ran
old at the idea now. Yet what was TO do?
here was no other way to save my friends
fe, and God help me, it must be done.
had neryed myself up to fire at all risks
ne instant saw the murderer putting his fin
er on the trigger Of his pistol, and had just
rought my gun to bear when Frank voice T
1ng out loud and clear
Your time has come-look up" =
lnvoluntary he did so, and caught my eve;
spasn of mortal fear passed across his fea-
treS. He made no effort to raise the pistol,
ut wire cartridge from Franks gun mashed
the cliff behind him, passing within an inch
his head. The weapon dropped from his
and; in three bounds my friend had him in 4
is clutch, dragged him over the rock. and
'e struggle began. IL IL
It was short, but from the nature of the W
round fearful one. 4 false step would p
ave sent the two over the precipice 10 the
lelt below, and from that hundred feet
own into the Atlantic Ocean. Both were C
rong, powerful men; in weight the murderer
as greatly superior, but in science and activ-
7 there were few able to cope with Frank.
he murderer struggled hard for an inside is
ace, and succeeded in getting to kind of e.
eft in the rock, which gave, him a slight adj
ntage. ltw was only momentarY; Frank tore 4
m from 1t with pull that brought some of on
loose stones crashing down, and with the -
ock they went Keeling and staggering to the :
" edge of the cliff
could stand it no longer; there was long
eek cord which had brought for my dogs,
my pocket; fastening it to the bush, low
I'd myself down. AS touched the ground
succeeded in drawing knife; Frank par :,
d the thrust, and disengaging his left hand, IA
uck heavily twice. The man dropped on
knees, and began to beg for mercy. | c
she'd forward with vague feeling of terror.
came up the unfortunate wretch cried
Save me, for Cod sake, sir He is going
throw me overl''
looked at Franks face; there was an ex VI
ssion there never saw before and would v
'er like to see it again. rns
; Let him go, Frank" I shouted; that's =
hangman's work, not YOURS
i IA rtt ~ lx,s