The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-10-02
CHAPTER X
TIE MYSTERIOUS GUIDE.

The cattle king was brought very sub
stantial breakfast of broiled venison and
dry bread, and a bottle of ale.
He was frightfully hungry and ate heart
ily, wondering more and more at his strange
surroundings and the mysterious friend
who seemed to desire to help HIM.
The meal completed he was returned to
his prison nook as before.
He waited for an hour or longer ere he
heard the soft rustic and light foot-f falls he
had heard IN the night, aud had been so
eagerly listening for, hoping she would
come again.
"Hushl" breathed the voice; remain
perfectly quiet. DO not rattle your letters.
We are surrounded by deadly enemies and
numerous spies. | have the key that will
unfasten the steel ring about your ankle,
but if [ am discovered it viii cost us both
our lives. Win You obey me implicitly"
"Yes," breathed Jasper, "on my oath.
"Then remain motionless." And he felt
her hands touch him, then lightly sought
the steel ring around his ankle. There
was a slight click
But bark! footsteps were approaching.
There was a rustic of garments and
quick departing feet, then light was
flashed over him and the rocky nook he oc-
cupied.
BY a luck chance, although the lock was
turned and the tiny key still in it, the ring
about his ankle remained seemingly Sc
cure.
Il thought l heard something" said
gruff voice, "but il seems you're fast
| enough. None O. yer trying to get away,
tenderfoot, cause nobody ever leaves
Black Jacks home alive, without permit
from the Captain; remember that"
And the fellow departed.
A half hour crept by; it seemed an age
to Jasper ere he felt touch ON his arm.
''Slip the ring off noiselesslv, then give me
your hand, and for the love of heaven, step
softly"
Jasper obeyed, and grasped the little
hand confidingly.
They moved in a totally different direc-
ton from the one where the grlif sentinel
watched, but in darkness as black as Ere
bus. The way was over q sandy, rocky
| floor, and they seemed to be penetrating
the bowels of the earth.
Not a word was spoken.
Trusting his unknown guide implicitly,
Jasper followed, determined to escape if
any chance whatever presented itself-not
only to escape, but to rescue his companion
if need be. She seemed quite familiar
with the bandits mysterious den.
On, on, they pressed. Would they never
see light again?
At last his guide paused and tapped three
times upon the rock.
The rock in front of them moved slight
ly; a ray of light crept in.
who knocks?" asked a sentinel on
guard.
Il do. l wear the sign of the Mystic
Hand. I have a friend who wishes to de-
part from the mountain"
The door, or rock, swung wide apart, a
voice said:
"Thy friend had better be wary if he
wears not the sign of the secret order"
Still the door moved father apart; a
broad stream of light fell upon his com
panion. The cattle king was surprised to
| discover she wore the dress Of an Indian
princess. She was dark, but exceedingly
! lovely, mass of jet black hair fell to her
waist, beads OF various colors adorned her
scarlet dress, beaded moccasins were upon
her little feet, but on one of the fin gers of
the hand he clasped, he caught the flash of
a diamond ring.
Did Indian princesses wear diamond
rings? Hardly. Who and what was his
mysterious guide, with her innocent, child
ish face, and her seeming intimacy with
the robber gang?
| The rocky door that swung open only
, precipitated them into a lower cavern, but
/ db one size IDe IlBnI OF lHe AFTERNOON sun
! struggled in through a curtain of swaying
vines and small growth of mountain
| pines.
The sentinel who had opened the door
| of the dark passage wore a mask; hurriedly
! closing the door after them he said:
| Young man, if your escape becomes
| known to have been brought about through
our agency, We will be put to death. VIII
! you give me your word, as a gentleman, to
remain silent upon the knowledge you have
gained for one month at least? That is all
we ask"
Il PROMISE said Jasper meeting the be-
| seeching blue eyes of the girl, much longer
! if you wish"
Il know that you lost heavily, but may be
able to restore part of those funds. At
! least keep silent one month"
! "Come" said the girl, 81 will show you
the mountain trail. Seek the home of your
people, and some day you may be made
wiser"
She drew aside the curtain of vines and
crept out among the growth of pines.
ITO BE CONTINUED.