San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1877-11-24

Basil Wuoro tnc iiBh1 hou uccu utoAou
away, and drew bead upon the tallest
of the two men, who stood, holding three
horses, out in the bright moonlight.
The sharp crack of the weapon was
instantly followed by a yell of pain, and
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 my
mind. There were three horses out in
the open lot! There was another trav-
eler beside ourselves. lge. ,.prfstf
A heavy blow descended upon the
door, and voice reared: 5U
"Quick! Burst the Internal thing
open, and let me get at him! The
scoundrel has killed Dave!" atu 81
"Let them have it, Bose," I whisper
ed, rapidly reloading my pistol. "There,
the second panel" .. M 4,ora i
With steady hand the plucky fellow
leveled the huge weapon, md pulled the
trigger. -sil 'n' '5.'ita an's aii
A deafening report followed, and
again shrill cry of mortal anguish told
that the shot had not been wasted.
"Sabe us! how it do kick" exclaim-
ed Bose, under his breath.
The blow had fallen like an unex-
pected thunderbolt upon the bandits,
and a moment later we heard their re-
treating footsteps down the corridor.
"Dar'll be more of 'em heah fore
long, Mars Ralph" said Bose, with an
ominous shake of the head. "'Spects
desc b'longs to band, and of dey
comes, an we still heah, we.gone coons
for shuah.''
This view of the case was new to me !;
but felt the force of it. I knew that
such bands did exist in these mountains.
A hasty glance through the window
from which had just fired showed me
that escape in that direction was impos-
sible. I looked out and saw man,
with rifle in his hand, dodge around
the corner of the stable. He was on
guard, and then I knew theya.had sent
off for reinforcemen3s
Stunned for mon INT, I turned round,
and stared helpless, at Bose; but he,
brave fellow that "a was, never lost his
head for an instant.
"Bound to Leah heah, Mars Ralph"
he said, quite confidently. cam dar
amt no way gwyne 'cept tro dat win
DER" and he pointed to the one over
looking the cliff. ..., Il
merely shook my lead, and turned
to watch again, hoping to get shot at
the rascal on guard. 1s''1f
Bose, left to his own devices, at once
went to work. I heard him fussing
about the bed for some time, but never
looked to see what he was after until he
spoke. ..e.,.
"Now den for de rope" I heard him
say, and in an instant I caught his
meaning.
He had stripped the bed of its cover
ing, dragged off tho leavy tick, and the
stout hempen rope with which it was
"corded.''' In five minutes he had drawn
the rope through its many turnings, and
then, gathering the coil in his hands, he
threw up the sash, and prepared to take
soundings. 1t failed to tuch bottom ;
but, nowise disheartened, he seized the
cotton coverlet, and spliced on. This
succeeded, and the cord was drawn up
preparatory to knotting it in place OF
cross-pieces. ...'lI ttt
In the meanwhile the silence without
had been broken more than once. A
shrill, keen whistle, such had heard
before, was given by the man on watch,
and replied to by some one seemingly
little way off. Then heard footsteps
soft, cat-like ones-on the verandah
outside, showing that the robbers were
on the alert ct all points.
At length Bose announced the clad
der" ready. 1t was again lowered from
the window, and the end we held was
made fast to the bed we had dragged
over for the purpose.
snow, den, Mars Ralph, 1 go down
fust, and see if um strong 'nough to bar
u.s."
And he was half way out of the win
dow before / could speak.
"No, Bose, you shall not" / answer
ed, firmly, drawing him back into the
room.
You must"