Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-08-14

firmly and steadily grasping the
rope, that it might not slip its
precarious hold, we were startled by
quick, sharp sound, like the crack Of
two dry bones struck together, and which
apparently proceeded from out the inky
darkness toward the interior of the enolo.
sure, and between US and the front en-
trance.
The sentinel paused on his beat-his
measured tread ceased to be heard.
There was dead silence for moment
we stood motionless, breathless, with
sc Arcely the quivering of a muscle. Then
suddenly there fell upon our startled ears,
in the midst of that painful, pulselsss
silence, the sharp report of two pistol
shots, in rapid succession, and not far
away, followed by the hurried tramp OF
heavy feet upon the dry, hard earth.
Shocked by the suddenness of the
alarm, several hands relaxed their grasp
on the rope that held the one end of the
casket raised, and the heavy weight went
back upon the firm foundation of the
outer box, with deep, resounding thud,
that might have been heard half way
across the cemetery. The ponderous lid
nicely balanced on edge, went over next
with the jar, and fell back into its place
with clang and crash that ought to have
walked the silent dead beneath.
This was enough. Ned Seffron first
LIGHTED out" He was a brave man,
but the game was up, and bravery stood
us in poor stead. He retreated actively,
noiselessly, too, toward the little secret
door, audibly articulating certain polite,
society oaths, as he ran, ITO cheer his
lonely way" We followed-he was the
leader, and we submitted to his guidance
still, and perhaps with more alacrity than
before. 1t was general, ignomiDious
retreat--no use of denying that Over
high, heaped graves we tumbled, and
barked our shins terribly on the sharp
edges of carved marble, ran against
broad tombstones and broke our heads,
stumbled in knotted grass and disloca-
ted our necks, plunged madly into iron
fences and mashed our fine features into
an unrecognizable mass, and brought up
all in heap, and in pitiable condition,
at the little iron door.
There we ventured TO pause an instant
in our rear; no indications of pursuit or
discovery. Then we presumed to pause
still, taking courage, that we might
breathe and rub tenderly our bruised
and mangled members. Still came no
warning sound. We became gradually
treasured, as this quiet continued.
what denged asses we have been |"
muttered Ned, deprecatingly. THAT
was no affair OF ours. Them rascals
have enough to do to watch the 'front.'
they don't suspect any attempt over or
through this high wall, deng il"
Well, why not go back, then, and
finish our job 7" asked Moliere. "You
see we've left that poor devils basement
room in deuse of fix. and that won't
answer"
go ip, then" said Peters, SIN with
you to the last We can hear them if
they come. and they'll never catch us,
I'll wager"
| was favorable to any course the ma
jority should decide upon; hence we
picked ourselves up and proceeded care
fully, silently in the direction of the
abandoned grave. Advancing thus eau
tiously, we made some pretense of fol-
lowing open paths, so that little noise
was made, and little trouble experienced
in crossing the grounds.
We had reached the marble srchway
above alluded to, made the proper detour
thence, aud were within few yards of
the open grave, when suddenly we caught
sight and sound of moving objects near
at hand. They espied us, evidently, and
began rapidly to advance, whereupon we
discovered that they we're a strong party
of guards.
"There they srel There are the ras-
calls one shouted. AFTER them, my
men Seize them
We turned about and fed, and as we
did 90 heard lively scrsmbling in our
rear, grunt and q muttered curse, fol
lowed by heavy thud, and we knew that
the valiant leader had tumbled hesdlong
into the open grave The same sounds
were repeated, as still another unlucky
one followed bis leader down stairs" TO
The boundary Of that bourne whence no
traveller returps and we felt strong
impulse to shout "glory |" as we ran.
But there were those who did not 20 |
down, and they gave US q hot chase.
However, we allowed them the advantage |
Of a wide detour, in which Ned led us
with wonderful speed and tact Finally.
Isying gained sufficient distance, we faced
abruptly about toward tho left, ran
short distance, ther dropped down behind
\ thorny hedge.
Our pursuers passed the spot in a few
seconds, continuing on toward the front
entrance, and shouting now TO certain
,nes in that direction to stop those
lirty thievesl" Then we arose aud pro-
,eeded cautiously to the little iron door,
We passed outside once more, aud Ned
,losed the door softly behind US, with
uch care, too, that it seemed, by pres
ure, to be securely locked. .f
We were off now for good, for the game
vas indeed up. Proceeding down the
lope, toward the stream, where our
Iorses bad been left, the latter were
onnd all right in their places, though
he vslarous Barry Locke vas nowhere
D the vicinity, at which We wondered
ery much, but we're inclined TO sttri-
ute bis precipitste departure 10 alarm
Z the sounds Of pursuit which came to /
i'm over the cemetery wall, We we're