Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1874-11-25


sufficiently high to cover the entir,
surface Of the rock itself.
1t was, perhaps, three-fourths o
mile down to the beach, and Rob
ert walked leisureiy along, enjoy.
ing the breeze that came so fresl
off the waves, until he reached the
point opposite the rock, where the
boat was moored, and then pulling
out to it, passed over TO the side
nearest the sea, and lay down a.
full length to enjoy the beautiful
scene. He had so lain for some
time, being hidden from the view
Of the shore by the arching surface
of the rock, when he thought he
heard slight noise. He rose TO his
feet, when the sharp crack Of q re-
yer rang out on the air, and a
singing pain darted through his
right thigh, and he fell helpless to
the ground. The next instant the
face Of the Mexican who had sworn
revenge on him peered with devil
ish malignity over the top of the
rock. He had logged Robert all
the way from the farm house, and
wading silently out under the screen
Of the rock, had fred the moment
he had arisen. He now advanced
cautiously to the side of his victim,
who, totally unarmed and helpless,
expected nothing but instant death.
"Carijo," said the Mexican, while
his features were a perfect study
in the intensity Of the passion por-
trayed. "You have had my broth
er sentenced to work for years in a
filthy prison. Did you not know
that l would kill you r
81 did not kill him." said Robert,
with calmness that surprised even
himself, as he met unainchingly
the glittering, snal5y eye of the
Spaniard.
80, no." Kissed the other, syou
are very merciful; you did not kill
him-you only sent him to worse
fate. l will he merciful too" he
continued, as if struck with a new
idea,-"I will leave you here and
let the waves sweep you of. That
will be very merciful, and then /
will not he a murderer. You will
only drown-that's all"
The hope that had flashed over
Roberts heart a moment before,
now gave way to utter despair, as
he saw the Spaniard enter the boat
that had brought him thither, bid
him a mocking adieu, and row for
the shore.
He glanced helplessly around
him. The tide had been running
in for some time, the sun, which he
had come out to watch setting, was
sinking as if in mockery, half in
pity, below the western horizon. 1t
was after five o'clock, and he knew
that at seven the waves would be
dashing over tho rock, and the
death which he had just now faced
so bravely, fairly APPALLED, him with
it's blackness. Darkness crept
slowly over the sea, and the eager
waves were now tapping at his very
feet, as he, by superhuman effort,
dragged himself to the highest
point of the fast-disappearing rock.
Had he been unhurt, he might
have hoped to be able to retain his
position on the rock until the tide
went out, for it covered it only
about eighteen inches. But, weak
and exhausted as he was, he felt
only too keenly that the first wave
which swept over would carry him
away from his frail support, and
then
Suddenly he thought he heard
the dip of an oar, and he looked
eagerly in the direction from which
it came. To his amazemens and
heartfelt gratitude, there was a fig
ure in the little boat, pulling stead
lily for the rock. For a moment
the thought darted over his mind
that the Spaniard, afraid to trust
the waves, was returning TO COM
plete his work. But few lengths
more and no recognized the form
to be none other than that of Ella.
She came steadily on until close to
the rock, and paused, calling softly
"Are you there, Robert I"
"Here, and safe," answered he
joyfully, as with another stroke the
boat grated against the rock.
"Who stole the boat away from
you--that Spaniard Z" she asked, as
she rose and turned to step out.
EYES," he replied.
"Great God /! what is the matter
are you hurtl' exclaimed she, as