San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-10-24

Uwho will stop meY" said darrell, set
ting his teeth and snatching pistol from
his breast. GLANDS of, man, or say your
last prayerW
The old man fell back; and Sir Philip
dashed off along the bank, the water,
which was above the horses fetlocks, ny.
ing in showers of spray from the brave
steed's feet.
"The curse, the cursew rose from the
terror-stricken crowd. ale is rushing
upon his death; it has come-'life for
lifev"
"The slope of the ground on this side Of
the river had rendered the overflow COM
paratively slight, the flood spending itself
over the fiat meadows on the opposite
bank. Sir Philip DarrelPs object was to
reach a point where crossing might pos
sibly be effected. To attempt to cross inn
mediately below the weir would be simply
suicide.
The crowd followed breathlessly on the
top of the bank, watching the daring rider
below. Not one man or woman there had
the faintest hope that he would reach the
centre of the river alive. True, the river
had spent its greatest fury now that it
was released from its narrow bounds; but
the current was still swift and strong, and
branches of trees and wreckage were be.
ing swept along. No man, the villagers
thought, unless aided by supernatural
power, could live in that stream.
Sir Philip had paused now. He bent
over his horse and patted his neck, and
then lifted his right hand toward the
heavens. The next moment the noble steed
plunged into the river, and great cry
went up from those who saw the gallant
deed; and the women fell upon their knees
and prayed aloud for the doomed lord Of
Darrell. '-
1t did indeed seem as if Philip Darrell
had merely rushed upon death-the strong
current swept horse and rider downwards
for some distance, and it was only with
difficulty the noble animal could hold his
own.
"Bear up, my HassanP cried Darrell
encouragingly, caressing the arching neck.
The Arab obeyed the guiding hand, and
turned athwart stream; they were half
way to the center now, and Hassan was
painting, but struggling valiantly. Darrell
called to the noble horse to strive yet
little while. When they had reached mid
stream, Hassan's powers were failing, and
his breathing was labored and distressed.
"My brave steed my hope, my life, do
not fail Inc now" cried Darrell, in agony.
ga little longer, Hassan! There-another
effort! We shall reach the bank-we shall
save her, my Hassanv'
Clouds had yelled the moon, and the
people OH the Scarth Abbot shore could no
longer see the two battling with the wa
tiers. The dark eyes that saw them from
the Mill for moment after the first
plunge, lost sight of them when the tide
carried them down, and lima prayed fer
yently that her lover might be saved from
the terrors of the flood.
The moon came out again. Where were
they? The villagers asked themselves
Had horse and rider been engulfed i'll the
rushing river? Was the curse fulfilled
thus, and had the life of the last Darrell
paid the eXacted tribute? No; they could
see that horse and rider had reached what
had been the bank that morning. The
horse was swimming still; but the water
was just over the saddle-girths. In another
moment the horse stopped with dropping
head. They could see Dark Darrell bend
ing over him. He seemed to clasp his
arms about the horses neck and cry Of
joy and thanksgiving went up. 1t reach
ed the brave riders ears, and he sent up
all answering shout of triumph. The
horses feet had touched ground. He had
won the mighty battle; and trembling and
exhausted, he had stopped to rest and
gather fresh strength.
But the peril was not yet past. Tho
Mill had to be reached. 1t was still stand.
ing. For only moment did Sir Philip
suffer the horse to halt; then turning him
back towards the Mill he rode EDWARDS,
the water still washing up to the saddle
girths. 1t was impossible to exceed a
walking-pace; and in every second OAR
rell lived an hour of agony. At any mo-
ment the Mill might collapse before his
eyes, carrying with it its hapless prisoner.
AS he drew nearer Sir Philip perceived
1t would be necessary to swim again to
reach the Mill. The current too, grew
stronger every minute, augmented here
by the weir. Was he to lose all when it
was nearly within his grasp? Hassan's
great power of endurance had been taxed
to their utmost. The brave animal could
do little more. He could scarcely keep
his feet against the wash of the flood;
but he struggled on, still on, urged by his
masters voice and cheered by his loving
touch.
"One moment more my IIasSan-One
moment! Oh, heaven. have mercy yet,
and spare her till | come! Hassan, my
brave, my faithful, you cannot fail mel
Strive still, my nOblest, my best! So, once
more! All, Heaven, give us aidw
The horse was off his feet, swimming
for dear life. He had no breath for the
answering whinny to the voice he heard
but family, for his powers were fast fail
ing. Horse and rider were close now;
the Mill was above them. Darrell rose I'm
the stirrups, and, putting up his hand, he