The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-07-01

Harris, creeping cautiously through tue
bush, marked the place they chose. 1t
was some distance to the southwark, ana
high on the hill Then he returned.
swell" said Burke, as he approached,
blame me, if for pure cussed deviltry, that
don't just lay over anything ever see IN
al my born days"
"It's al right" said Harris, with a
smile. "Now, it's our turn. They're just
behind that gray rock you see there, near
the old pinon. Now Well 20 to work and
spike that rail again. We can see them If
they hear us and.come down to find out
what's going on. You, my boy-he turned
to Stanley-"go down the other way and
keep good lookout; but first lend me
hand with that hammer and bag OF
spikes"
The young fellow started at once.
When he was out of hearing, Harris spoke
again.
"It was better to send him off," said he.
awe don't need him; and it's filter work
for you and me than for youngster like
him."
The two men examined the caps of their
Winchester rifles, placed the weapons
against the rock within easy reach, and
began their work Being experts and hay
ing proper tools, they made speedy prog
ress. .. .;,.... ..... .ai'; y
Meantime, Jose and Carlos finished their
breakfast, took each long pull at a flask
of aguardiente, and lighted their pipes.
What with unwontedly early rising and
novel labor, they were little droWsy,
and only the finishing blows of the heavy
hammer, welded with extra force by
Harris stalwart arms, attracted their at
tention and aroused them. They stepped
from their hiding place. In an instant
Harris saw them. -.
aGet under cover, quick there, Tom,"
said he, $50 they'll think there is only one
man here"
zone, indeed, was all the scoundrels saw
as they crept down the slope. They were
almost overwhelmed with mingled aston
ishment and rage. Were their plans thus
to miscarry? Never, while they were two
to one, and that one did not see them, ana
their knives wy-a sharp. So on they
stealthily crept They were just on the
edge of steep descent, when they saw
their expected victim drop his hammer.
In another second he was erect and facing
them; and another man was with him,
and both had their rifles to their shoul-
Gers, and their fingers on the trigger.
"Throw up your hands, you ID
ereasers!n shouted Harris. The Mexicans
lad stopped for O moment, but they had
the animal courage of desperadoes, and
they whipped out their revolvers. Before
they could raise them the two Winchesters
cracked as one, and Jose and Carlos fell
over the precipice and down hundreds and
hundreds of feet. Stanley, hearing the
reports, ran to join his companions.
Harris briefly explained the situation to
him. ......-..-
"Your heads level, my boy" said he,
eand allow you don't need to be told to
keep mighty dark about this thing. Tom
and will see the sheriff this afternoon.
Of course, it will come out pretty soon;
but it wouldn't do to let the boys know
now, for they'd clean out that old outfit OF
adobe shanties in about five minutes.
Now, We'll gather up these things and go
down below the curve; and when Tom
Lewis comes along, we'll signal him and
get on the train.n
So they did; Harris and Burke climbed
s,n tie eIlsilt 1sh5n Tie train. alter sweep
ing safely round the curve, came to
stop. Stanley had some difficulty in con:
trolling himself and appearing at his ease
as he entered the passenger car; but there
came to him speedy distraction. Pretty
Miss Nelly who had been looking out of
the window, turned to see him standing by
her, and the least confident of lovers could
hardly have mistaken the expression in
her eyes.
Stanley took his seat by her.
"Did you receive my letter at A1amosa?"
ne asked.
With heightened color she said: EYES,"
chen turned and looked out Of the win
dow.
He shuddered again, as he sat gazing at
her, and thought what. might have been
her fate but few moments before. Soon
she once more turned to him.
II don't think much Of that Mule-Shoe
curve, which you told me was grand and
awe-inspiring," she sald "When we as
cended it was dark; and when we came
down, just now, am sure did not notice
anything in particular. But then," she
added, with pretty blush. II suppose I
was thinking of somebody-I mean, some
thing else."-!A. A. Hayes in Relgravia.