The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-02-27

closed over our hesds, shutting US in.
to the gloom. Three minutes of this
darkness, and the horse emerged into
an open space, lighted by the noon
day sun. There be stopped as sud-
denly as be had started, and neighed
loudly.
Before ! recovered from my sur
prise q quick, sharp, we'll known
sound struck upon my ear; and look
ing in the direction from whence it
appeared to come, saw two men
stareing down at me-two as rough,
villainous-looking creatures as ever
encountered the earth
"Ah, my friend, knew my peril
then, and my thoughts went through
my brain with wonderful rapidity. I
had not second to lose. Already
two rifles were pointed atm What
ever | did must be done instantly.
There was but one cbsnce-to stake
q dumb brute's life against my own.
IL drew my revolver and placed
the cold muzzle to the ear Of my
treacherous captor.
"My release or the Black Imp's
death % | shouted.
$50 soon as they comprehended
my intentions, they disappeared; but
| knew it was only to gain a more
advantageous position. dared not
leave the horse, however, for on him
depended my safety; 80 / sat there
still holding my revolver ready Tor
any emergency and watching ali
points. Vigilsnt as l was, however,
| was surprised. Without any warn
ing, light form leaped upon the sad
die behind me, and a human 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 come.
"Then there was 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. |
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 a woman's
face. l cannot describe my feelings
my surprise, my gratitude, my ad-
mirstion, my love. For once | forgot
that there was such man as Major
Guy Maxwell Neither knowing or
caring who this stranger was-wheth-
er rich or poor, of high or low de-
gree-I then and there gave her the
noblest, truest, best love man ever
gave to woman, nor thought per-
haps it would ever be returned. My
lite then was nothing, only so far as
it was necessary for her safety. The
yelling demons in pursuit were well
come to it, if, by this means, she
could be saved. BLt there was no
surety of that. Both would be lost
or both saved.
"Our pursuers were gaining on US.
Ever and anon leaden messenger,
ploughed up the sand behind US,
lessening our hopes as they fell near
er and nearer. But we could only
urge on the poor, tired horse, and
pray for deliverance.
"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 shelter ofthose trees, it would be
better thar remaining on the open
plain, target for half score of ri
fes. But could We reach it 7 had
the shadow of an idea that we could,
tor the horse was nearly spent. Yet
| urged him on. He strained everv
muscle to the utmost, but those sim
ews of steel gave way at last. He
staggard and fell, and l was just in
time to save myself and my compan-
ion from being crushed beneath him.
"Tne timber was yet hundred
yards away, and the ruifians scarce
ly fifty behind Why they didn't
FIRE upon us never knew. but l think
they wished to spare my companions
life.
II grasped the small white hand
Of my companion in peril. and to-
gether we resumed the flight But
half the distance was covered, when
one of the robbers galloped up to my
side, aud drew his sabre on me.
"Take that
"They were the the last words he
ever spoke. Puffs OF white smoke
appeared suddenly among the trees,
and of the ten outlaws but three es-
capped.
"Well there is little more to tell.
The timber which l had tried 80 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.
"Nr Stockton stared at me as if |
were a veritable ghost; but when |
led forward the beautiful girl, it was
my turn to be amazed.
Minnie, my darlingm cried the
old man.
"And | knew then who had shar-
ed my ride from the robbers strong
hold.
"She had been taken prisoner on
ly the day before. Failing to find
her father, she was on ber return,
and the coach fell into the hands of
the robbers. By chance she saw me,
and conceived the hold plan to es-
cape; but what magic word she used
to induce the horse to turn back with
US never knew, and she cannot
tell.
at came to me and went again
when had no further use for it,"
was her reply. when l asked her
about it; 80 am contented with the
benefits received, and ask no ques-
tions.
1--WE resumed our way next morn
ing, Minnie accompanying u.s. The
horse, too, l took with me, although
it seemed utterly worthless. He grew |
better, however; and there be is now,
pretty well advanced 10 years, it is
tr,a h.,k ,t;lI Tho oha raot ho.ao 400.