The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1881-03-02
"Is it the lakcl Oh, ioy; we arc

SIS it the lakel Oh, joy; we are
near it, thenp
There before them, but yet many
miles s.away, lay the lake, its waters
sparkling and glistening in the rays
of the warm mid day sun. Beyond
lay the mountains, much nearer than
al morning, for very many of the
miles that lay between Milan and
the lofty Alps had been passed over
By the noble steeds. But they now
began TO show signs of weariness.
They had gone far; they had ridden
fast. Foam covered their mouths,
and their skins were reeking with
sweat, Their pace was much less
light and active than Mt first. They
labored more heavily; yet still they
went at rapid rate, and there were
no pursuers visible. Two hours
more and the wearied travellers we're
riding along the shores Of. bake, Mag
gscfe III ddy the Level pll L u efs
far behind them, and hills arose on
the borders of the lake. They gal.
loped wildly through the streets of
Aruzzo; they rushed past the shore
where the Isola Madre ard Isola Bel
Ia rise from the transparent wave;
they reach rising ground.
Santana was the first to look
around. One glance drove the Blood
TO his heart. He turned pale as
death. The others glanced immedi-
ately sfterward. They saw ALL
Their pursuers were visible. They
were but four miles behind. In the
first moment of discovery not a word
was spoken, They looked at one an
other in silent CONSERVATION. Yes,
there behind them their pursuers
followed swiftly and closely. Armed,
numerous, unwearied, they were close
upon the track of their feeble, un-
armed and tired victims. With a
simultaneous impulse they urged
their wearied horses onward at fas-
ter pace. The Alps were not now
far away. There they arose, their
snowy crests ascending higher and
higher the farther back they ran, un-
til they seemed to mingle with the
white clouds of the overhanging sky.
"Alasl' cried the old man, "if we
could but get therel"
On they went, hopefully, though
despairing. The aged velletri look
ed at his daughter with an aching
heart. Santana, too, casting many a
fevered glance behind him, seemed
forever counting the chances Of es-
cape.
1t was late in the afternoon, and
the sun was near the end OF his course,
when they went on among the noun
tains. The road went more steeply
than before-the horses grew more
slow and uncertain in their pace
Hark! at a turn in the road, appar-
emily but short distance behind
them, what thunder tramp ofrush.
ing horsemen! 1t is the sound of
their pursuers.
"The frontier is yet four miles
away!" cried Santana, with a look Of
agonizing suspense. "They will be
up to us before three. We are un.
armed. Oh, if had but a gun-but
one pistol should at least have a
struggle for nv life!n
Eve have no chance whatever 81
resisting!" cried Velletri, whipping
up his horse.
"No use-no usel" said Santana.
"My horse cannot do it."
His horse staggered. He lashed
the poor beast furiously. Useless;
the horse had nobly done his duty;
still true to his master, he struggled
to obey and go forward, but only to
fail. He fell headlong to the earth
and lay motionless. Santana leaped
from him. Velletri groaned.
"We are lost!" cried Santana.
ely, fly, Velletri! Fly, Laura! l
will keep them back for time. Use
well what time is left. You may yet
escape"
"No, no; let me stay-me. They
will not, cannot harm mel | am in
nocent. Take my horse and fly. l
will watt" cried Laura.
"No, children!" cried velletri, in
terrupting them; "you speak thought.
lessly. We can fly no further. We
must leave our horses. Let US climb
the mountains. See-look up yon.
der; we can find refuge there"
He pointed to a steep declivity, on
the summit of which there was a
projecting crag. 1t lay FIVE hundred
feet above them. Instantly he leap
ed from his horse, and Laura, too,
diSmounted. Then, as though the
time was too precious for words, he
led the way, leaving Santana to as.
sist his daughter. Then the fugi-
tiyes began their toilsome ascent.
The way lay through deep and
thawing snow. 1t was the month Of
March and all the'sno was rapidly
melting. All around, amid the
solemn silence, they heard the solemn
sound of falling ayalanches. Trem-
bling at the fearful noises which
boded no good to them, they hurried
onward. They assembled two hund-
red feet. and then reached the foot of