The Portland daily press., 1867-03-16


With some reluctance ] consented to go
round. Taking off my shoes, crept eau
tiously down and peered over. 1 had scarce
ly done so when Frank stepped out agaln
with his watch in his hand. He spoke low,
but every word fell on my ear oisslncuy. .
81 shall give you five minutes, Ryan; and II
ro,, dnn.t 7hrow down your arms then and
Come ont cxnect no mercy, for you will
aet none: IN shoot you as l. would mad
dog" ,..-
said the ruflan, jeeringy; you'll want them
If YOU lift that gun to your shoulder
The five minutes which ensued were the
longest L ever spent in my lie. II was a
glorious summer evening. The sun was eo,n0
down, throwing a flood of light OH the ocean
iar below, and the white wings of the sea
guns as they lifted in and out from their
nests IN the cliff. The rabbits were at rlay
on me slopes, and a colony of coughs were
Wheeilng and screaming over my head But
iof the crouching and bloods.ained figure be-
meath, all would have looked peaceful and
happy. tried to keep counting the seconds
Dy ihe beating OF my own heart, which was
plainly audible; but every trifling incident
was suiilcieht TO attract my attention There
vs. We Siea1 olack snake crawling toward a
so, Gnu L peSah 10 speculate whether he
~ " oio the IiIne was UP. Then
a wren, whose nest was in the hush narcheJ
near me and commenced cbatta,;po and
swearing in my face, until a bawl cana rliJ-
ing round, and the little fellow with a cry of
terror disappeared in the grass.
Two minutes had passed away. looked
down at the murderer. 1t was evident that
the words were beginning to tell. He moved
uneasily from side to side like a wolf IN -
trap F4N !"
several Tunes he examined the lock of his
pistol, and tried to find place in fhc rocI,
which would afford more shelter. Once i
lnougnt ne was going to speak, but the words
seemed 10 choke him. Then crossing himself
ueVoutiy, and having arranged his weapon ap-
abiding his time. VS. WV 'F'57 W
NJ would the i've minutes never pass? Frank
stood directly in 'front.' watch in hand, and
the gun under his ARM He had lit cigar,
and was lounging lazily back against the cliff .
Careless as he appeared, 1 knew Lin too well
to doubt that he would hesitate for moment
in going or firing as he had promised. Atthe
time he was giving his antagonist fearful odds.
Then only began to realize the part / had to
play. 1t was unfortunately too plain. The
man must be disabled before he commits an
other murder. That only could be done by
shooting him down. In a fair fight would
not, think, have hesitated; but my blood
ran cold at the idea now Yet what was to
do? There was no other way to save my
friends lite, and, God help me, it must be
DONE ID" '''H a'at iii' ,' Hi ~
nerved myself up to fire at all risk. the in
slant | saw the murderer putting his finger
on the trigger OF his pistol, and had lust
brought my gun to bear when Franks voice
rang out loud and clear sf' s.i
ny Onr time has cOme-lOOk upr gE
Involuntary he did so, and caught his
eye; spaSm OF mortal fear passed over his
features. He made an effort to raise his MIS-
tol, but wire cartridge from Franks Gun on
the cliff behind him passed within an inch Of
ms head. The weapon dropped from his
hand; IN three bounds my friend had him in
his clutch, dragged him over the rock, and the
struggle began.
1t was snort, but from the nature of the
ground fearful one. careless step would
have sent the two over the precipice to the
Shelf below, and from there hundred feet
down into the Atlantic ocean Both were
strong, powerful men; in weight the murder
Ell was greatly superior, but in science and ac-
tylty there were lew able to cope with Frank.
The murderer struggled hard for an inside
place, ard succeeded in getting kind of cleft
in the rock, which gave Slight ADVANTAGE
1t was only momentary; Frank tore him
from 1t with pull that brought some of the
loose stones crashing down, and with the
shock they went reeling and staggering to the
very edge of the cliff.
could stand it no longer; there was lone
check cord which had brought for my dogs
in my pocket; fastening it to bush. I lower.
ed myself down. As L touched the ground he
succeeded in drawing knife. Frank parried
the thrust, and disensaging his left hand
struck him heavily twice. The man dropped
ON his knees and began to beg for mercy. |
rushed forward with vague feeling of terror
AS came up the unfortunate wretch cried
oft: "a at a t n ~
"Save me, for Gods sake, sir He's going to
throw me overw
looked at Franks face; there was an ex-
preston there never saw before, and would
not like too see again. t.,5.'-
Let him go, Frank" shouted. "that's the
hangmar's work, not yoars."
He did not hear me; graspinp the fellow
with both hands, he swung himself half arouud
and hung him OIL with all his strength. 1t was
wen the coat he wore was made of the strong
EST irleze as 1t was We were nearly going over
together laid him ON his back, where he re.
manned without strength OF motion. Frank
glared at him for few seconds in silence. and
then took my hand and said slowly: f,,,,.3
You are good fellow, Harry, and thank
you. l didn't know what / was doing,
=" lie turnedaway with a shudder, while I
poured out some brandy from my flask. and
threw it in the murderer's face. He recovered
after time and sat up, staring wildly round
and trembling all over. i never saw a wretch
so completely subdued. He chung to me for
protection, and became as abject and cringine
as he had been insolent before. Wehwaited
until dusk and then brought him to the No..
lice barracks. Before sunrise the next NOM
ing he was twenty miles on his way back from
whence he came. AT the next assizes- he was
tried and convicted. The judge was mercitul
and gave him ''long day." In the meantime
fever broke out in jail, and he was one of the
first victims. The last words he uttered were
Don't throw me overp Let us hope his pray
er was granted.