The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-02-01

ms -ratner say tnat near fescadero
there was q place where the road
wound about in such manner that
three distinct sections Of II could be
soen at once, one above the other.
He knew that. this must be the place.
They were then upon the upper Of
these shelves or terraces. He was en-
abled to sec tho two sections, because
the road there curved.
All this took but glance, and he
noted it scarcely realizing that no did
80. Then he leaned out still further,
and looked eagerly for the four men.
There they came, guns in their
hands, and dressed in rough, coarse
clothes. But what interested him
most was the fact that they were not
masked, as road agents were said to be,
and that they carried their weapons in
a peaceful manner.
"Only q party of hunters" he
thought, with glad jump Of the
heart. Then his eye happened to rest
on the uppermost distant curve Of
the road. Something was flashing in
tho afternoon sun and creatures like
horses were seen to be in motion.
IA party Of men with guns" he
said to himself, land they are riding
dreadfully fast What can they be
after2"
He sank back in his seat too much
excited to speak, or scarcely to think.
Just then "Well, Buckskin Tom,
how's the old body1 I used to know
you, but guess you've forgotten me.
My names Chandler, from Deer
Liclks."
Don't know you, Mr.. Chandler"
they heard the driver say.
mo; thought you didn't. Well, me
and the kit Of us here have been hunt
in, and we're pretty tired. Reckon
you can give us a lift to Pescaderny."
They heard low murmur from the
box at this, and it was apparent that
the driver and the express messenger
were talking. Once or twice they also
thought they heard the tones Of the
stout passenger.
Cant accommodate you," spoke up
the driver, at last. "It's only mile
to Kennett's ranch. Keep the road
wore going a mile, and take the first
turn to tho left. Only half n mile
from there, and Kennett will keep you
till you are rested"
Once moro Enrique ventured to peep
from the window. Ho witnessed q
sight that gave him thrill Of astonish-
mont and terror. One Of the four
men was standing near the window,
and Enrique saw that one of his long
whiskers was hanging loose from his
face. It was evident that the man
wore false beard.
A glance ut the other three strangers
showed that they also wore an unusual
amount Of hair about their faces. 1t
was evident that they, too, were dis
guised.
Scarcely had Enrique made this
startling discovery, when their fel-
low passenger with thespectacles drew
OFF his gloves, and made as though to
leave the coach. Tho boy, glancing
at him in surprise, saw that he was
fumbling with some objec in an inner
pocket, and the next momen: ho pro-
duced small revolver. His mouth
had fierce, set look now, and his eyes
seemed to shine through his spectacles
in O way that terrified the lad. While
| Enrique yet stared at him he deliber-
ately cooked the revolver, deity
opened tho coach door, and swung
himself out upon the step.
The next moment he pointed his re-
yolyer VI, 4, st III the Ed"ssengsYs; "a gsface g
pistol shot rang out from the box, and
the man with the detached beard
droRged instantly yh;opaIs from sight
time, Tiger Rod" thundred the voice
of the express messenger. "Im on
to. your game. Give 'em the lash,
driverl'
AS no spoke tho crack of the heavy
stage whip sounded, and the coach
made great bound forward.
Meantime, how had it Jared with the
man with tho spectacles1
We have seen that he had raised his
pistol, and seemed in the very act OF
firing it. 1t was at this precise mo-
ment that tho messenger himself had
fired, and in doing SO had changed his
position. On firing he had leaned fal
over toward the driver, so as to avoid
return shot, and by so doing had
taken himself out of the would-be as
sassin's range And now the stage
was flying forward at q terrible pace.
and dit5RSat,ns tRSa :" hss hs mflSsnagea flsGGa /. after
few seconds. and then aattsnssd1 ed himssIi aFssh
This was to avoid the return shots OF
his friends, which now came singing
past them.
Taken completely by surprise by tho
act of the messenger, and not pre-
pared for the headIong plunge of the
horses, they had been unable to make
an effort to prevent the escape.
The young girl sat dumb with
fright, tho other women were crouch
ing in the bottom of the coach, also
tongue tied with terror, and poor little
Enrique half stood in his place, his
great eyes fixed wildly Oh the man
with the pistol.
And now the ruffian seemed to think
o second opportunity had come.
Doubtless the messenger was in his
old place, and could be reached by a
bold outward swing. 1t was evident
the effort must be made soon, too, as
the man might look down and dis
cover his enemy.
Swiftly the wretch swung out from
the step. His revolver was once more
raised. Then came the climax of En-.
rique's life. He saw tho pistol raised,
ha cow fho ,por,e ,~,l,,