The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-02-08

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swish, as of hurrying waters; and yet,
after all, there was a certain, ruthless
calm about those strong. unseen floods
behind that cool, dark wall, that bore
evidence of immense power.
Thud! 1t was as if some mighty,
Titanic missiles had been hurled against
the walls. 1t was only an uptorn tree,
borne with terrific force against the
dam several feet above his head.
"IIow the river has crept up since
night-fall. knew the rain of the last
two days would cause rise; but this
looks serious Luckily the dam will
stand the pressure of common floodp
lie laid his ear close to one of the
projecting timbers of the dam.
"That immense weight of water
doesn't even jar It'll" he murmured.
Picking his way over the rock river
bed was no easy matter in that thick
obscurity; but his familiarity with
every foot of the locality helped him,
and in short time he stood before the
nume.
Ah, here was uproar enough ! The
flume was full to the very topmost
plank. A hiss of flying spray struck
him sharply in the face; but he gave
no heed to the ice-cold drops that
clung to his forehead.
That strange, promonitory, haunting
feeling had enwrapped his every sense.
Upton felt, rather than thought. that
somewhere out in this cool darkness
urked danger, and he knew not how or
in what shape it was to come.
He had walked long distance down
by the side of the flume. when lie
heard sharp clatter among the rocks
of the dry river-bed as of some one
stumbling heavily, followed by NUT
tered curse.
That voice He knew it, and he
shut his teeth sharply to keep back an
exclamation of horror.
Sam Lomax, the road agent, the ter
ror of the honest, handwriting miner
in whatsoever mine, together with his
merciless band Of renegades and In
dians, was creeping up this river-bed,
and this midnight raid meant death to
the four partners of the Clear River
Nine
Rallying every energy he turned and
fled up the river-bed as for dear life.
Not of his own danger was he think
ing, but rather of the peril of the un-
armed men in the little cabin yonder-
his "pards' who had become endeared
to him through the many months of
! weary privation and toll, so cheerily
shared together; his comrades, unto
whom his soul Glove with love as strong
as that of brother.
Why did objects beside him, before
him, become so distinct? He threw
up his head as he ran.
The clouds were parting, and he per-
ceived that in a few moments their
friendly aid would be Withdrawn. The
moon would burn like some great
watchfire in the heavens, and his flight
would be revealed to those merciless
eyes not a pistol shot away.
The odds were all against him. Strain
every energy, every nerve as he might,
to-morrow's sun would look down on
| four victims to Lomax and his band,
and the dear folks at home would look
in vain for those whose bones were
whitening by rotting dam in those
western wilds.
The dam! An inspiration, born of
dire necessity, leaped into his mind,
and light famed forth in his eyes.
The strength of hope sprang up in his
heart and swung every nerve, and on
he sped.
The dam loomed up beforehim. lie
sprang to a little locker, built for con-
venience sake close by the end of the
dam, threw up the cover, seized box
of blasting powder, thrust it under one
of the projecting supports Of the
dam, lighted short fuse, thrust one
end in the keg, and then turned and
fed
And the moon burst forth from be-
hind the clouds, her calm, pale light
falling softly over all that the darkness
had hid.
"Ha, ha ha" laughed the happy
trio, still sitting round the cabin table,
as one of their number finished relat-
ing some anecdote of his rollicking col
lege days; and the laugh was still echo
ing, when the door was suddenly burst
open, and Upton, with face as white as
death mark, stood on the threshold.
| He made beckoning motion, and then
disappeared.
The miners sprang to their feet, but
even as they did so, loud explosion
deafened their ears, and a terrible thrill
rocked the little cabin like cradle
With one impulse they leaped to the
door.
They saw the whole front of the dam