The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1881-09-15

"oin discovering mo ] am unable to
say. AT all events I escaped his no.
tice, the shot did not come, and.
watching my chance in tho lulls Of
the tempest, ! continued my per.
ilous course.
l had but little strength to spare
when at last found myself crouching
ON the muddy bottom Of the old
mountain gorge,
Nerved on by the strength Of dos.
pair. | rushed down the steep decliv-
ity, reckless as to where nv feet
may wonder. Completely blinded
between the mingled glare of the
lightning and the intense darkness
that followed each fash I stumbled
on feeling that every moment my
steps were becoming unsteadier.
The water was already up to my
knees. and rushing by with force
that made me grip desperately to
whatever projection could find
along the ravine. The inexplorable
waters rose yet aud tho dauger of
the tempest grew wider still. My
strength, aud even faculties were
falling fast, my feet were lifted from
beneath me. aud quicker than tho't
was rushing helplessly along, en-
veloped amid the spray aud foam of
a madoning whirl. think must
have lost myself for a moment, but
awaked amid the darkness aud roar
ing waters, nearly strangled to death.
Another instant and / was whirled
heavily against some yielding object
! raj lied my strength for q final ef-
fort. The next fash revealed tho
wreck Of tree. with the roots still
chnging teuaciously to the side of
the bank.
drew myself ont Of the rush Of
the current aud cr,vlei to firm
foothold on the shelving bank of the
torrent. The coil rain revived me.
| stumbled forS.rl, f5slils my way
anil debris Of falling trees. pit holes
aud lnrcc rocks, all scattered pro-
miscnously about On the steep ri 10
OF the mouutaiu, until faint gli'n.
mer OF light streamed TREMENDOUSLY
across my path 1t was u welcome
light and, prisoner or no prisoner, |
male mp my mind to risk life aud lib
erty, and demand shelter from the
terrible storm that still ragel, bat
gave signs Of abaTing.
| was unarmed the only weapon
1 had sailed forth with had been
abandoned on the edge Of the preci-
pico previous to my attempting the
perilous passage. | felt my heart
beat faster as | Leared the door OF
that tumb e down ranch which loom
cd up, huge, shapeless mass, amid
the gloom and solitude of that wild
spot 4 moments hesitation aud
knocked resolutely at the door
"Qaiero yice!"(who comes there p
and l heard the click of weapon.
II am an American replied.
bitterly, in English. "A United
States officer who has lost his way
on the side OF this cursed mountain"
With jerk the door was thrown
back on its rusty hinges, revealing
the figure ola man of brawuy pros
portions, armed to the teeth, and of
most villainous aspect. Ha held
aaring torch on high, the uncertain
light of which fell across his SCARED
aud scowling visage. Keenly and
deliberately he scanned the torn aud
tattered remains Of my uniform, then
in voice harsh aud growing he
demanded.
"What do you want here, and how
many OF you are there I"
| replied in the best Spanish th at
/ could master that was alone, and
my doleful story of being
lost 10 the storm.
At that moment, to my surprise
aud astonishmeut, the faithful New
foundland, who. by some keen
instinct OF his nature, had succeeded
in scenting me, burst from the sur
obscurity, testifying his
Joy by leaping upon me aud baying
iu his deep, powerful tones.
1.-The mans appearance was indi-
cative OF mixture Of ferocity and
GINNING, while bis eye, wild aud un-
settled, lit up with an expression l
could not fathom, as he bade me
enter.
Strange forebodings filed my
heart as gazed about the recess Of
the door, leaving me to take adyan