Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-11-29
CHATTER XT.
An ADVENTURE IN THE DARK.

Griffith Alton left the house of the
wounded sea captain and started down
the slight descent toward the foot bridge
which led across the ravine to the village.
Some tall ornamental trees were growing
along the sides of the path, and these in
addition to the very dense fog and star
less night made 1t so dark that Captain
Alton was forced to grOpe his way be-
fore he had gone dozen PAGES from
the piazza.
He had his sword in his hand with
which he was feeling his way, thrusting
it out against the trees on his right and
at the same time feeling with his left
hand.
He was about half way down the hill
when his hand brushed the hair of some
one. Supporting it to be sentry, he said:
"Helloa, sir; who are you, and what are
you doing here?"
There was no answer, but the next mo-
ment the muzzle of a pistol was thrust
into his face, and he heard a click and
saw fash.
Fool! What do you mean2"
The powder had evidently become
damp, and the weapon failed to 60 off.
Instinctively compromising that he was
in danger, the Captain sprang aside and
threw his sword up to ward OF a blow.
Take this, then!" Kissed voice. And
the next moment there was a clash of
steel against steel, as a heavy blade came
in contact with his own, causing the
sparks to fly IN showers.
Who are YOU? If it's this you want
you can have your share of 1T, " cried Cap
tain Alton, swinging his sword about his
head and slashing right and left. Clash
-clash-clash-stee meet steel, and sue
cessive showers of sparks rolled from
their blades.
Captain Alton could have killed his an
tagOnist, but supposing him to be some
| OverzealOus young officer. he was only
DESTROYS of Furnishing him. The man
soon found himself hard pressed, and
hurting the pistol into the face Of the
Young commander with force enough to
stun him, wheeled about and ran off into
the darkness.
"Confound the rascal, said the Cap
tain, staggering for moment under the
! force of the blow, Il wish had him"
He was stunned but for moment, and
! then set of in the direction the fellow
/ had taken. He was guided by the sound
| of footsteps scrambIing along over the
rough, uneven ground. The stony earth
was covered with small cedars and orna-
mental trees, which hindered the fugi-
| tive's flight
! Griffith snatched pistol from his belt
/ intending to fire g shot after the retreat
! ing man, but a second reflection decided
] him not to do so. a shot SO near the
/ house might injure the sleeping patient
| and needlessIy alarm Ola, besides, he haC
/ no doubt that the man who was flying be-
/ fore him was none other than one Of his
/ own overzeslous sentries.
Il will overtake the scOundrel at any
rate and punish him for this imprudsnce,
the young officer thought.
He y as rapidly as he could, but the
fugitive was equally as feet as himself
| He did not gain on him, in fact he wa
rather losing ground, when his foot
slipped on a wet stone and he fell heavi
| " upon the ground.
The commander Of the fort was not in.
| jured by the fall and was on his feet in 1
| moment The sharp report Of musket
down close to the embankment rang ou
on the air.
Griffith hurried up to where the shO
had been fred and found several of the
villagers already Fastening there.
What is the matter2" asked the Cap
tain.
"A Teller come runnin' long here
knocked me down an run over me Ilk
blazes, jumped the works and skipped.
shot at HIM, but I sWar I don't believe
teched hair or hide O. him, said the sen
Which way did he go2" asked the Off
Ger, with no little anxiety.
Right OF into the woods. He's
Britishsr, yer bet.