The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1877-11-24


judged that he was urging the men to
their nefarious work
~ tell you, Mars Ralph, dem white
trash amt arter good-now you heard
me-" persisted Bose.
| had begun to think so myself; but
what was to be done? The situation
was full of embarrassment, and / felt
that nothing could be done save to wait
and watch, and, by being on the alert,
defeat their plans by determined resist
ance.
/ found that from the barred window,
in which there was a broken pane of
glass, good view of the stable could be
| had.
Then for the other window,
| crossed the room and drew aside the
heavy curtain, and, raising the sash,
looked out
A single glance was sufficient to cause
me thrill of surprise, and gave a low
exclamation that instantly brought Bose
to my side.
Far below, ! could see the faint glim-
mer of water, the low murmur of which
came indistinctlv up from the depths,
while, on level with what should have
been then the ground, / dimly saw the
waving tree tops, as they gently swayed
before the fresh night breeze, and knew
the window overlooked a chasm, the
sounding Of which | could only guess
at.
In other words, the house, or that por-
ton of it, was built upon the very verge
OF cliff, the solid rock forming a
foundation more lasting than any that
could be made by the hands of man.
| leaned far out, and saw there was
not an inch of space left between the
heavy logs on which the structure rested
and the edge of the precipice; and then
| turned away with full conviction that
If escape must be made, it certainly
would not be in that direction. There
was nothing especially strange in this
there were many houses so constructed
I had seen one or two myself--and yet
when | drew back into the room, and
saw the look in Bosses dusky face, felt
that danger, quick and deadly, was
lowering in the air.
Without speaking, went to my saddle
bags and got out my pistols superb pair
of long double rifles, that knew to be
accurate anywhere under half a hun
dred yards.
Oar denis what l likes to seep'
exclaimed Bose as he dived down into
his own bag, and fished out an old-horse
pistol that had belonged to my grand
father, and which | knew was loaded to
the muzzle with No. l buckshot. 1t
was terrible weapon at close quarter.
The stable in which our horses were
feeding could be watched, and by events
transpiring in that locality we would
shape our actions. | found the door
could be locked from the inside, and, in
addition to this, | improvised bar by
means of a chair-leg, wrenched off, and
thrust through a heavy iron staple that
had been driven into the wall. Its
fellow on the opposite side was missing.
We then lifted the clothes-press before
the window, leaving Just room enough
one one side to clearly see, and if
necessary, fire through; dragged the
bureau against the door with as little
noise as possible, and felt that everything
that was possible had been done.
A deathlike silence reigned over the
place, broken only once by the voice of
the colored girl singing as she crossed
the stable yard,
had fallen into half doze, seated in
a chair near the window facing the
stables, where Bose was on watch, when
suddenly | felt light touch upon my
arm, and the voice of the faithful senti-
mel in my ear:
Wake up, Mars Ralph; dey's foolin'
bout de stable doc arter de horses,
shuah," brought me wide awake to my
feet.
Cautiously peeping out, | saw at a
glance that Bose was right in his con
! lecture. There were two of them-one.
standing out in the clear moonlight,
evidently watching my window, while
the other-and | fancied it was the land
lord-was in the shadow near the door.
which at that moment slowly swung
open.
As the man disappeared within the
building, a low, keen whistle cut the
air, and at the same instant / heard the
knob of my door cautiously tried.
The thing was now plain. While
those below were securing the horses,
those above were either attempting to
gain access with murderous intent, or
else ON guard to prevent my coming to
the, rescue of my property.
! n INV uloS lIOul Dose Drought me to
his side from the door where had been
listening.
"Dey's got de bosses out in de yard"
he whispered, as he drew aside to let me
look out through the broken pane.
Take the door," l said "and fire
through if they attack. | am going
to shoot that fellow holding the
| horses"
Lordy, Mars Ralph, its de tavern
keeper! He amt no count. Drop de big
man. was the sensible advice, which /
determined to adopt.
Noiselessly drawing aside the curtain,
| rested the muzzle of my pistol upon
the sash W here the light had been broken
away, and drew bead upon the tallest
OF the two men who stood, holding
three horses, out in the bright moon
light.
The sharp crack of the weapon was in
stantly followed by yell of pain, and
L saw the ruffian reel backward, and
measure his length upon the earth. and
then from the main building there rang
out
Murder murder Oh, help?'
Like lightning it flashed across nv
mind. There were three horses out in
the open lott There was, then, another
traveller beside ourselves.
A heavy blow descended upon the door,
and voice reared:
HOuicki Ruret Tho ;nfo-,.l Ill: