The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-11-05

danger of being molested between here
aud the house, .
"Perhaps | had better accompany
you" said the overseer, whose name
was Besson, a Frenchman by birth
"You might return with me in the
morning" returned Juan, who seemed
pleased with the proposal.
In less than quarter of an hour we
were on the road. 1t was lovely
night the moon shone with unsurpassed
eBulgence, rendering tho way as plain
to be followed as at mid day. There
was not cloud in the sky, which was
thickly studded with stars and the
leaves on the trees shone like silver
We had ridden q little over five miles
when we heard through the Stiffness the
painting of some animal coming towards
us on the road.
"NVhat can it be ?" asked Besso1.
at sounds like dog" said Juan.
just at that moment as we reached
the base of tAo mountain, and the road
stretched out straight and level before
US, we saw black shadow moying rap.
idly along it. The distance lessened
with each stride of the animal, and very
soon it was plain to see that it was a doc.
at must be Carlo" said J uan; "his
mistress has probably sent him to hurry
us on to supper"
In less than it takes to tell it, the
dog was close at our heels, painting,
barking, and starting forward on a run;
then returning, and barking still more,
he would rush forward again as before,
seeming almost frantic in his desire to
convey to us something which the poor
brute had no other means Of comunica.
ting than by those dumb signs.
"We had better ride forward" said
Juan, somewhat agitated. We have
smooth road before US now. And there
may be something wrong"
We put spurs to our horses and started
on a sharp gailop, closely followed by
Carlo, breathing harder than ever, from
the long run he had had. Fifteen min.
utes gave US a distant view of Juan's
house. a shrili scream, that, of a wo-
man, greeted our ears as we caught
sight Of the roof shining in the NOON
light.
"Ah p exclaimed my friend, "it is
lnez' voice; for the love Of Heaven,
press forward"
Into our horses fanks went the spurs
away they bounded at pace which dis.
tanced poor Carlo, who strove in vain to
keep up With us. Juan had the feetest
horse-he was some. lengths ahead
Besson and | kept neck and neck. So
swift was our gait, we seemed to fly over
the ground. AS we Deared the house,
we saw two horses standing waiting in
the road. At the instant | saw these,
two men appeared upon the scene, drag
glag between them woman, struggling |
ii vain 20 free herself of their grasp,
while another female clung beseechingly |
holding on as if for dear life. The first
Of these was Inez the LAST, the old negro |
servant, who with Carlo, had been her
only companions during our absence!
"Let go, you black devil" exclaimed
tie man with terrible oath, dealing her
at the same time a terrible blow that
talled her to the ground.
Then lifting her mistress into the
saddle, where his companion was already
seated, he vaulted into his own, and the
two sped on their o@n way like the
wind.
The villains had the start of us, but
Dur steeds we're as feet if not feeter
than theirs. Soon this last proved to
Be the case, Tor we gained on them rap
IDLY, As Juan approached, he drew a
pistol fIom his holster and aimed it at
me foremost, who had fast hold Of Inez
a his saddle her long, streaming, black
lair aoated to one side, with her white
arms were stretched implorisgly towords
Is.
Stand you black hearted scoundrel"
houted Juan.
Hold" cried Besson; "save your
ire-you may sound her."
lie mac uRWn his revolver as well
le was dead shot, as | afterwards
ca rned. Crack went MS pistol; the
nan reeled in his saddle, threw his arms
wildly in the air, aud dropped dead in
he road. Juan sprang from his horse.
nd caught the iorm OF the now insensiS
lie Inez in his arms. The other rider
.ept on his way; we heard the clatter
f his horses hoof lessening in the diss
ance as he made good his escape. |
urned the form of his now PROSTATE s
ompanion over on his buck. The face {
'as hidden by mask. l uncovered it ,
he moon shone full upon the face OF t
Antonio Miguel, I
| brought water in my hat, and we |
prinkled the pale face of Iuez. After t
time she revived. We lifted her into