The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-04-12
cided whether to stay or resume our


journey.
Let's co." said Herries. uneasily at
last 81 don't like the danger that
strikes one in the dark. Let's 60 on TO
Hovey's it's only five miles further
down the coast, and the Calsaba fellow
said it was plain travelling.
Of sudden, with no sound in the
soft sand, black, bridled head and
brown and white nose appeared before |
the half open door. With hand on
each, Nixon stood between them. We
stared.
s.Men," said our host with gravity,
s.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.
sOf what % said I, with strange
creep of indefnable apprehension.
ssDeath,'' answered Nixon, solemnly.
We looked at each other.
..What do you meant Speak out,
man, said Herries.
sThirty men-more or less-wiu 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 l guess He has.
"Why don't you clear out?' and we
looked at our revOlvers.
Nixon stepped close and whispered,
ssMy wife, gentlemen, sprained herself,
ten DAYS ago, and can't even creep.
They shot my horse aud broke up my
boat. She's hid now. | shall hide
with her. If they find us-weu. Now
90, gentlemen, make haste -
"Bring her here, man-be quick
I'll take her behind me. You can ride
with Herries.'
Nixon's face frightened all over.
ssOut with you-mount! Now walt
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. Cup
with you,' he muttered, and tossed
her lightly to Cheveignac's back.
A pale, worn face looked over my
shoulder, and nervous hands clasped
nv belt. Nixon sprung up behlnd
Herries, and the two horses started
side by side.
Sweet heaven, where was the broad,
safe foot.way by which we had skirt
ed the base of Helmet Rock, not two
hours ago? There was now naught
but a surging sea and long lines OF
savage, sheeted breakers upreared
themselves and smote half way up the
solid rock with a 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.
ssDeath lies there! What, stra ngel
I don't you see! They think me pennee
, in on this side, and the bluffs art
, guarded by this time. In with you
7 for your lives! Further out, men-be
yond the breakers! We must swim
3 for itr'
2 1t was chilly night. and the flying
sprays struck me in the face like thu
cut of whip. The poor creature be
: hind me gasped and hid her face OF
j, my shoulder. HALTED, whipped out ;
n piece of rope and bound her securel.
e to myself: then moment after, tn
r black chilling waters drove the breath
nearly out of us. Cheveignac swan
S nobly. The tide was setting in, ant
d he fought against it with every nerv.
n and muscle. Slowly, slowly the blacl
y crested cliff retreated shoreward, AM
n the long surf line on the beach beyont
l. came to view.
| "Look behind you'll cried Herries
as the horses swan abreast. turned
i Torches ran hither and thither, al
q over the beach; shouts and impreca
q tons came family to our ears.
,, The good Lord keep the moon i
a that cloud half an hour more. Not
- minute too sOOn," said Nixton. An
we turned the cliff in a wide swee
a and swept shoreward with the tide.
l. "Here we are. Now, men, we're Lib
y to come on 'em for long stretch. Ho
x are We Hetty! Feel as though We coul
- pull through
" "Oh, yes-yes. Do pray hurry. L.
us get away from here" the poi
woman answered-all of a shlve
drenched as we all were from head
- heels.
IS Neck and neck along the sar
- stretched the horses with flying fee
All of sudden came shouts. shots al
u. torches flashing along the cliff SUNNI
" and the bluffs on this side. Dissolve
9 ed-alas!
"Curse on this sand! If my hor
had decent foothold-"
nm ssThere-there! To your LEI
n. stranger! the path! do you see it!''bre
nd in Nixon, sharply, holding Herri'
- waist with one hand, and calculate
If. with the other. 1t was an easy slol
ed not like the treacherous path by viii
ut we had descended; and thanked 6
when my brave horse set foot on ha
n sod.
al. stranger, what is your horse go
ct for" asked Nixon, hurriedly.
es, Hoof-beats came through the tire
rs. torches danced. bullets whistled abe
ne; our heads. :,
su- .sFor a case of life or death, said
sh- shortly.