Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-02-13

and there was Jacob Stockton's warn
ing to think about. was not alarmed
however; but did wonder whether
the old man had not some good reasons
Tor his belief. And | was yexed. too
l could ride as far as the horse could
carry me; but / felt that | had the
rlSht TO choose the direction. There
was my dinner, too-a nice juicy baf-
falo steak. Take it all-in-all, was de-
eidedly uncomfortable; and had it not
been for weary tramp back to our
camping-ground, | should have shot the
animal dead in his tracks.
The way grew rougher as l drew
nearer the mountains; but the horse
did not abare mis- speed in the least. He
plunged iuto ravine-the dry bed of
some mountain stream-like one accus-
toned to the way. On ,he dashed, and
up, the path growing narrower and the
rocky sides sleeper.
"Higher and higher were the walls.
as we advanced, until they closed over
our heads, shutting us into the gloom.
Ten minutes of this darkness, and the
horse emerged into an open space,
lighted by the MONDAY sun. There he
stopped as suddenly rs he had started,
and neighed loudly.
Before | recovered from my surprise
aquick, sharp, well-known sound struck
upon my ear; and looking in ihe direc-
ton from whence it appeared to come,
| saw two men staring down at me-two
as rough, Misunderstanding creatures
as ever encountered the earth.
''Ah, my friend, knew my peril
then, and my thoughts went through
my brain with wonderful rapidity. L
had not second TO lose. Already two
rifles were pointed at me. Whatever |
did must be done Instantly. There was
but one chancc-to stake dumb brute's
life against my own.
81 drew my revolver and placed the
cold muzzle to the ear of my treacher-
Gus captor.
"My release or the Black Imp's death
| shouted.
$50 soon as they cOmprehended my
intentions, they disappeared; but l
knew ii was only TO gain a more advan-
tageous position. dared not leave the
horse. however, for on him depended
my safety: SO l sat there still holding
my revolver ready for any emergency,
and watching all points. Vigilant As l
was, however, 1 was surprised. With
out any warning, light form leaped
upon the saddle behind me, and hui
man voice uttered some strange word
some magical word it seemed, for the
horse, SO motionless before, wheeled on
the instant, and went dashing back
through the path we had came.
'sThen and there WIS a ride for life.
The rocks seemed swarming with men:
bullets flew about us like hail, and the
clatter of hoofs over the hard stones
came distinctly to our ears. i spared
neither whip nor spur, and by strange
good fortune we escaped the bullets and
reached the open plain. Then. for the
first time, | ventured to look behind,
and saw woman's flee. l cannot
describe my feelings-my surprise, my
gratitude, my admiration, my love. For
once | forgot that there was such a man
as Major Guy Maxwell. Neither know
ing or caring who this stranger was
whether rich or poor, of high or low
then and there gave her the
noblest, truest, best love man ever gave
to woman, nor thought perhaps it would
ever he returned. My life then was
nothing, only so far as it was necessary
for her safety. The yelling demons in
pursuit were welcome to it, if, by this
means, she could be saved. But there
was no surety of that. Both wOuld be
saved or both lost.
sour pursuers were gaining on us.
Ever and anon leaden messenger
ploughed mp the sand behind us, lessen
ing our hope as they fell nearer and
nearer. But we could only urge on the
poor, tired horse, and pray for deliver
ance
a mile or two ahead of US was a
belt of timber | had no recollection
of passing it in the morning; but, If we
had lost our way, we could not turn
back. If we could only reach the shell
ter of those trees, it would be better
than remaining on the open plain,
target for half score of rifles. But
could we reach it? had not the shadow |
of an idea that we could, for the horse
was nearly spent. Yet urged him on.
He strained every muscle TO the utmost,
but those sinews of steel gave way at
last. He staggered and fell, and l was
lust in time to save myselfa and my COM |
panion from being crushed beneath |
him.
1.-The timber was yeta hundred yards |
away, and the rufilans scarcely fifty be-
hind. Why they didn't fire upon us l
never knew, but i think they wished
to spare my companicl's life.
81 grasped the small white hand of
my companion in peril, and together
we resumed the flight. But half the
distance was covered, when one of the
robbers galloped up to my side, and
drew his sabre on me.
..sTake that"
"They were the last words he ever
spoke. Puffs of white smoke appeared
suddenly among the trees, and of the
ten outlaws but three escaped.
"wen, there is but little more to tell.
The timber which had tried SO hard
to reach was our camping-ground, and
it was the rifles of my own men that
sent death and defeat into the robber
ranks.
sMr. Stockton stared at me as though
| were veritable ghost; but when
led forward the beautiful girl, it was
my turn to be amazed.