The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-03-19


houi % start"
"Of whatY said ], with a strange
creep of indefnable apprehension.
"Death," answered Nixon solemnly.
We looked at each other.
"What do you mean3 Speak out,
man p said Herries.
"Thirty men-more or less-will be
here within halt an hour. This cabin
will so up In smoke, and l shan't proba =
bly, come out alive. langered 'em once
and they are severe gang. Saved an
old chap and his darter out of their
hands. The girl was handsome. He
said as how the Lord would not forget
it; but it seems he has"
"Why don't you clear out" and we
looked to our revolvers.
Nixon stepped close and whispered, 4,
"My wife, gentlemen, spraned herself,
ten days ago, and can't even creep.
They shot my horse and broke up my
boat. She's hid now. shall hide with
her. If they find us-well. Now 60,
gentlemen, make haste"
"Bring her here, man-be quick! pll
take her behind me. You eau ride wit
Herries."
Nixon's face frightened all over. "Out
with you-mount! Now wait a bit."
And he darted away. The moon was in
cloud, and the damp wind blew from
the sea. The very brutes seemed rest
| less and uneasy.
He was back presently, carrying a
slender form in big shawl. Cup with
you," he muttered, and tossed her light
ly to Cheveignac's back.
A pale, worn face looked over my
shoulder, and nervous hands clasped
my belt. Nixon sprang up behind Ii Her-
ries, and the two horses started side by
side.
Sweet Heaven, where was the broad,
sale foot-way by which we had skirted
the base OF Helmet Rock not two hours
ago? There was now naught but surg
ing sea; and long lines OF savage, sheet-
ed breakers upreared themselves and
smote halt way up the solid rock with u
continuous yell OF thunder.
"Lord abovel we can't 20 herel The
other way-down the coast TO HoVey'sI ~
exclaimed Herrles, refining down Meg
on the edge.
"Death lies there! What, stranger,
don't you see? They think me penned
on this side, and the bluffs are guarded
by this time. In with you, for your
livesl Further out, men-beyond the
breakersl We must swim for iU!"
II was chilly night, and the flying
spray struck me in the face like a cut Of
whip. The poor creature behind me
gasped and hid her face on my shoulder.
halted, whipped out a piece of rope.
and bound her securely to myself; then
moment alter, the black, chilling wa
ters drove the breath nearly out OF us.
Cheveignac swan nobly. The tide was
setting in, and he fought against it with
every nerve and muscle. Slowly, slowly
the black-crested Cliff retreated shore
ward, and the long surf line on the beach
beyond came in view.
''Look behind yOul' cried Herries. As
the horses swan abreast. l turned
Torches ran helter.skelt hither and
thither, all over the beach; shouts and
imprecations came family to our ears.
'The good Lord, keep the moon in that
cloud Tor half an hour more, Not A
minute too soon," said Nixon. And we
turned the cliff in a wide sweep and
swept shoreward with the tide,
"Here we are. Now, men, we're like
to come on 'em yet for long stretch.
How are you, Hetty? Feel as il We could
pull throughW
"Oh, yes-yes. Do, pray, hurry. Let
us get away from here" answered the
poor woman-au Of a shiver; drenched
as we all were, from head to heels.
Neck and neck along the sands
stretched the horses with flying feet,
All OF sudden came shouts, shots and
torches flashing along the Cliff summit
and the bluffs on this side. Discovered
-alasl
Course on the sand! Ifmy horse had
decent foothold-"
The path! Do you see it?" Broke in
Nixon, sharply, holding Herries' waist
with one hand and gesticulating with
the other. 1t was an easy slope, not like
The treacherous path by which we had
descended; and l thanked God when
my brave horse put foot on hard sod.
stranger, what is your horse good
forW asked Nixon, hurrieQly.
Hoof-oeats came through the trees.
torches danced, bullets Whistled about
our heads.
"For case of life or DEATH" said 1
shortly.
"Away with you, then, and save her
any way. You know the road you came
from Calsaba! Be goneW
"Go, for Gods sake, Rail-" said Her.
ries, urging Meg to her utmost.
let the rein loose and spoke TO nv
brave black. Like an arrow from the
bow we lett Brown Meg behind, Level
neCh, HIue Ho5Glll, pack-lalu ear, and
muscles OF steel. L felt the ceaseless
mighty heat-beats, and heard the rapid
monotonous thud-thud--of hoofs. as
the wind swept my face and trees rocks.
hills shot past and vanished in the dim
light like the phantasmagoria of a
vision. The woman behind me faltered
and swayed. l put one arm around
anda clutched her.
"Are you faintW
'They Observation-Disclosures. New
er mind
Good heaVens!" said I, She was
bound 10 me, and could not fall. on. the
pitiless, relentless miles that seemed
never 10 be got over.
When CheVeignac galloped at Last
jaded and reeklng, down the long street
of Calsaba, felt with a sickening fear
that I carried breathless, inert mass
behind me.
Dead?
No-thank heaven; but very near it.
Three hours later Herries and Nixon
joined me.
think in his gratitude the latter
would nave pressed upon us every atom
of his $4,000 worth of gold dust and mug
gets which he had secured Oh his person
and brought safely away.
We strenuously refused; and he final