, 1889-09-12

matter of u couple of fingers, that's all,
IL won't do, though, to be cooped up IN
here for the scoundrels to riddle u.s. the
chances will be better outside
He started up ~ he spoke, ana was
Cndoavorlng to step over one of the men
who was writhing and groaning on inc
bottom of the coach, when two, more
shots were simultaneously fired from
without and he fell down, eNclaimtng;
God help mel believe the thieves
have done for me this time"
His companions vt once bent over nm,
tenderly inquiring where he was hurt,
and endcavored to lift him up In more
comfortable position.
The coach by this time was ike 2
bedlam-shrieks, groans, prayers, ana
even curses, all comininglcd together.
Before any one could get out, however,
or the wild noise and confusion had in
any degree debated, the door was
slammed TO-, the animals were cut loose,
and the vehicle and all 1t contained sent
tumbling over the precipice to the left,
down which 1t first dropped some dis
tance with heavy crash, and then
rolled over and over down u steep hill,
bringing up ut last against u huge rock,
split open and shattered.
For brief moment or two all was as
still as death, and then u few monns pro-
claimed that life was still there. Lieut.
was much bruised, but not fatally in
1ured, and no bones We're broken.
"Are you alive, captain?' he anxiously
inquired,
No answerto the question, but female
voice iecbly moaned out;
so, save me Saints and angels, be
mercinlw
"Senorita, can aid you?" inquired
the lieutenant.
"Holp helpl for mercy's sake"' re-
piled the same voice; but all tho others
we're still.
Sincoe ra scdhimsef among the frag-
ments of the vehicle. and felt about in
the dark in the direction of the voice;
His hand came in contact with n wound
that covered it with blood, and he drew
II back with "a shuddcr. Then he passed
his hand over the body, and discovered
to his horror II was that of his compan-
ion, Captain Williams. He spoke to him
again, but received no answer. lie felt
for the pulse and heart, but found both
still and then he knew he was dead.
~ further examination, conducted in
the same manner, disclosed the thrilling
fact that only one beside himself Had
escaped with lie. This was the female
| who had prayed for help, and she had IA
/ leg and arm broken, besides other scri-
Gus injuries. With great eXcrtion he
/ managed to get hcr out from the wreck,
and fixing ler in as comfortable u posi-
| ton rs hc could he left her, grooming
| with pain, and Crawled away some dis.
| tanCc from the horrid scene, and hid
| himself in some bushes. not knowing
but the robbers might pay their victims
a visit, TO pluuder them and murder
| those they Should tina alive.
/ II was a fearful night that the licu-
| tenant passed there in that lonely place
under the trying circumstances, listen
| ing TO the groans and prayers OF the liy-
| Ing woman, suffering great deal ol
| pain himself, and all the time in dread
Of some new horror.
| But the brigands satisfied probably
| with the revenge thcy had taken, did
F. not approath their victims again, and
early tho next day II party OF mounted
I police appeared i'm search of the diligen
eta, and thus the living were relieved
from further fear.
! Although at no time confined to his
bed, Lieutenant Simcoe never fully re
/ covered from the effects of that danger
I Gus fall and the shock the whole ailail
gave to his nervous system, lie wa'
able to attend as chief mournor at the
grave of Captain Williams, and few
days after he resumed his journey ant
got safely ont OF the country and. hom,
to his friends.
The wounded lady subsequently die,
of her injuries, SO that he proved TO b,
the only one vino escaped with his liti
from the vengeance of the thwarted rob
] la.