Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-03-28

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cabin was an unusually roomy one; at
least eighteen by twenty. The usual
| accoutrements of hunter and fisher
man were placed about. There was
evidence of a woman's presence and
aste but we had seen no woman. A
kind of uncomfortable stiffness reigned,
broken only by the ceaseless roll of the
surf. A single ray Of light broadened
and frightened through the one win
dow; it was the moon rising.
We conversed in whispers, wondering
what danger menaced, and undecided
whether to stay or resume our journey.
Lets 60. said Herries, uneasily at
last; 81 don't like the danger that
strikes one in the dark. Let's go on to
Hovey's; it's only five miles further
down the coast, and the Calsaba fellow
said it was all plain travelling"
Of a sudden, with no sound in the
soft sand, black, bridled head and a
brown and white nose appeared before
the half open door. With hand on
each, Nixon stood between them. We
stared.
"Men," said our host with gravity,
"you're from old Massachusetts,. /
can't reconcile your stayin' to my con-
science. You've good horses, and
they're fed and rested. And you've
half an hours start
"Of what ?" said I, with a strange
creep of indefnable apprehension.
Death" answered Nixon, solemnly.
We looked at each other.
what do you mean? Speak out,
man, said Herries.
"Thirty men-more or less-will be
here within half an hour. This cabin
will go up in smoke, and shan't prob
ably come out alive. I angered 'em
once-and they are savage gang.
Saved an old chap and his darter out of
their hands. The girl was handsome.
He said as how the Lord wouldn't for
get it; but [ guess He has,"
Why don't you clear out ?" and we
looked at our revolvers.
Nixon stepped close and whispered,
My wife, gentlemen, sprained herself,
ten days ago. and can't even creep
They shot my horse and broke up my
boat. She's hid now. lshall hide with
her. If they find us-well. Now go,
gentlemen, make haste !"
s'Brins her here man-be quick +! I'll
take her behind me. You can ride with
aerries."
Nixon's face frightened all over.
Bit And he darted away. The moon
was in a cloud and the damp wind blew
from the sea. The very brutes seemed
restless and uneasy.
He was back presently, carrying a
slender form in big shawl. "Up with
you," he muttered, and tossed her light
~ to Cheveignac's back.
A pale, worn face looked over my
shoulder, and nervous hands clasped
my belt. Nixon sprung up behind
Herries, and the two horses started side
by side.
Sweet heaven, where was the broad,
safe foot-way by which we had skirted
the base of Helmet Rock, not two hours
ago? There was now naught but but a
surging sea; and long lines of savage,
sheeted breakers upreared themselves
and smote half way up the solid rock
with continuous roll of thunder.
"Lord above we can't go here The
other way-down the coast of Hovey's /"
exclaimed Herries, refining brown Meg
on the edge.
"Death lies there What, stranger,
don't you see? They think me penned
in on this side, and the bluffs above are
guarded by this time. In with you,
for your lives Further out, men
beyond the breakers We must swim
for it p
1t was chilly night, and the flying
spray struck me in the face like the cut
Of whip. The poor creature behind
me gasped and hid her face on my
shoulder. I halted, whipped out a
piece of rope, and bound her securely
to myself; then a moment after, the
black, chilling waters 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 shoreward. and
the long surf line on the beach beyond
came to view.
''Look behind you p cried Herries,
as the horses swan abreast. I turned.
Torches ran hither and thither, all over
the beach; shouts and 1mprecations
came family to our ears.
"The good Lord keep the moon in
that cloud half an hour more. Not a
minute too soon," said Nixton. And we
turned the cliff in wide sweep and
swept shoreward with the tide.
"Here we are. Now, men. we're
like to come on EN- for long stretch.
How are ye Hetty? Feel as if ye
could pull through ?"
"Oh yes-yes. Do pray hurry. Let
us get away from here" answered the
poor woman--all of shiver; drenched,
as We all were from head to heels.
Neck and neck along the sand stretched
the horses with flying feet. All of a
sudden came shouts, shots and torches
flashing along the cliff summit and the
bluffs on this side. Discovered-alas !!
course on this sand If my horse
had decent foothold-
s'There- there! To your left, stranger!
the PATH do you see %, broke in
Nixon, sharply, holding Herries' waist
with one hand, and calculating with the
other. 1t was an easy slope, not like
the treacherous path by which we had
descended; and thanked God when
nv brave horse but foot on hard sod.