The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1879-11-08

looked out.
A single glance was sufficient to caus,
me thrill of surprise, and gave 8 low
exclamation that instantly brought Boss
to my side.
Far below | could see the faint glim
mer of water, the low murmur OF which
came indistinctly up from the depths
while on level with what should have
been the ground, dimly saw the way,
ing tree tops, as they gently swayed
before the fresh night breeze, and Knew
that the window overlooked a chasm. the
soundings of which Icould only guess at,
In other words, the house, or that por-
ton of it, was built upon the very verge
OF the cliff, the solid rock forming a
foundation more lasting than any that
could be made by the hands of men.
L leaned far out, and saw that there
was not an inch of space left between
the heavy log on which the structure
rested and the edge of the precipice
and then | turned away with the full
conviction that if necessary escape must
be made in that direction. There was
nothing especially strange in this; there
were many houses so constructed-I had
seen one or two myself-and vet when |
drew back into the room and saw the
look in Bosses dusky face, felt that
danger, quick and deadly, was towering
in the air.
without speaking went to my saddle
bags and got out my PISTOLS superb
pair of long and double rifles, that |
knew to be accurate anywhere under
half hundred yards.
| " Oar dnm's what T Tho RI ooo ~ ~,
claimed Bose, as he dived down into his
| bag and fshed an old horse pistol that
hao belonged to my grandfather, and
which | knew was loaded to the muzzle
with No. l buck-shot. 1t was terrible
weapon at close quarters.
Inc stables In which our horses we're
feeding could be watched, and by events
Transporting in that locality we would
shape our sections. | found the door
could be locked from the inside, and in
addition to this, improvised bar by
means of chair leg wrenehed off and
thrust through heavy iron staple that
had been driven into the wall It's fel.
low on the opposite side was missing.
We then lifted the clothes press before
the window, leaving Just room enough
on one side to clearly see, and, if neces-
sary, fire through; dragged the bureau
against the door with as little noise as
possible, and felt that everything that
was possible had been done.
4 deathlike stiffness reigned over the
place, broken only once by the voice of
the celored girl singing as she crossed
the stable yard.
| had fallen into half doze, seated
N q -
stables, where Bose was IN the watch,
when suddenly felt slight touch upon
my arm and the voice of the faithful
sentinel in my ear.
Wake up, Mars Ralph; dey's foolin'
bout the stable doc arter de horses,
shuah," brought me wide awake to my
| feet.
Cautiously peeping out, saw at q
glance that Bose was right in his coniec-
| ture-there were two of them-One
standing out in the clear moonlight, ev-
identity watching my window, while the
other-and | fancied it was the landlord
was in the shadow near the door, which
at that moment slowly swung open.
As the man disappeared within the
building, low, keen whistle cut the
air, and at the same instant / heard the
knob of my door cautiously tried.
| A low hiss from Bose brought me to
| his side, from the door where | had been
| listening.
"Dey's got de horses out in de yard, !"
he whispered, as he drew aside to let me
look out through the broken pane.
Take the door," | said, and ire
through if they attack. | am going to
shoot that fellow with the horses"
"Lordy, Mars Ralph, it's de tavern
| keeper, he ain t no count Drop de big
mani" was the sensi lie advice, which |
determined to adopt.
Noiselessly drawing aside the curtain
| rested the muzzle of my pistol on the
sash where the light had been broken
away; and drew bead upon the tallest
of the two men who stood holding the
three horses, out in the bright moon
light.
The sharp crack of the weapon was in
stantly followed by yell of pain, and |
saw the ruffian reel backward and mea-
sure his length upon the earth, and then
from the main building there rang out:
"Murderl murder! Oh, helpw
Like lightning it flashed across my
mind. There were three horses out in
the open lot! There was, then, another
traveller besides ourselves.
| A heavy blow descended upon the
door, and voice reared:
"Quickl Burst the internal thing
open, and let me get him. The scoun-
drel Las killed Davel"
+" Let them have it, Bose" [ whispered,
rapidly reloading my pistol. There,
second panel"
With steady hand the plucky fellow
leveled the huge weapon and pulled the
trigger.
A deafening report followed, and
again shill cry of mortal anguish told
them the shot had not been wasted.
"Sabe u.s. how it do kick! " exclaimed
Bose under his breath.
The blow had fallen like an unex-
pected thunderbolt upon the bandits,
and q moment later we heard their re-
treating footsteps down the corridor.
"Dar'l be more of 'em heah fore
long, Mars Ralph" SAID Bose, with an
ominous shake of the head. Il 'spects
desc blongs TO band, and if they comes
an we still heah, we gone cOons for
shuar."
This view of the case was new to me;
but | felt the force of it. | know that
such bands do exist in these mountains
Stunned for a moment, turned round
and stared hopelessly At Bose; but he,
brave fellow that he was, never lost his
head for an instant,
Bound to Leah here, Mars Ralph, y
he said, quite confidently. AN dal
amt no way gwiue 'cept trG dat win