Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-07-12

small clearing that lay half mile back
from the river. The ridge at this point
widcned and formed quite vast plateau
Dave walked fast, and before long ho
could sec the end of the wood less than
quarter of II mile away, and the great
pines that rose on either side of tho slide.
He was still thinking of all the delight
full possibilities that lay snugly next to
his breast, and wondering if ever he
would be the owner of SO much money,
i when grulT voice broke in ON his rccc-
tions.
| "Hullo, Dave, mo boy"
| Leaning against Il great rock on one
side of the path was Black Mike, Il worth
less fellow, who had been discharged from
one of the camps nearly week before,
and whom every one supposed to be far
away by this time. a broad grin dis
tortcd his ngly face. and his hands were
thrust carclcssly into his pockets.
Dawes heart sank within him, but he
g, rcprcsscd MI signs of fear, and with n
| cheerful GLOW dy do, Mikc?' hc walked
| past.
"Scc here mint, me lad, " and Mike
stepped out in front of him. "I'n
| trouble yc to hand over that money, me
! boy. You're too young in;rcly to be
| trusted wild such vamblcs."
lie lcerco 1T Dave with chucklc. evil
IDENTIFY anticipating an easy victory.
Dave trcmbrd as he realized how com
plciely he was in the ruilian's power.
BE quick, now" added Mike. NTn
not harm yc. Pass it over. an 20 back
an tell onld Dagon him an mos quits
now Hurry up, Oi say" and Mikes
smile gave way to II heavy frown.
At this critical moment, like Il flash an
inspiration came into Dawes mind, n plan
so reckless, so daring, that r nearly took
his breath
The money must be saved at any cost.
How could he face the squire and confess
TINT he had calmly handed it over ut the
robbers bidding!
Quick ms conceived, his determination
was formed. He must take the only
chance, but ii WAS desperate one.
"Scc here, Mike" said he, ..wha,n
the squire say ii | go back this wayl
Can't you tie my hands behind me so
he'll know | ma,lca fight for it."
Mike laughed loudly.
"Oill be hanged if Won aint a cute
one. Ill'scc if Oi have any cord, and
he dove into his pockets with both hands.
Dave took one long breath. and like ,
streak shot OH down the road. with his
sled carecring madly from side to side be-
hind him
The very daring of the act nearly de-
prived Mike of his senses for an Instant.
and with open mouth ami staring ewes he
saw the space between them crow big
ger and bigger. Then. with terrible
lmpr"cation, he dashed in pursuit. shout
inE loudly: "S:op, We ihafc. stop, or
OH break every bone in yurc body!'
Dave was makin@ n desperate effort.
Strainin.y every nerve and holding his
breath hard, but the infatuated Irishman
was comm" on behind with great plunr-
ipg strides that were rapidly bringing him
close.
The bluIr Of the mountain was very
near now, and beyond the ciil line Dave
could ser, far across the river, snow clad
fields and scattered farms. and even u tiny
church spirc, shining clear in the hrirht
moonlight. But before him. only a few
yards now, WIS that awful nbvss, ten
times longer and sleeper than amy toba.s-
gan slide ever built, Il great gully, gliding
almost ncrprndiculnriy down the rugged
face OF the mountain.
Dave remembered with - sh,id,lcr how
the great logs used to plunge mn,lly down
the slide, turning somcrsaul;s Al the bot
tom, and churning the tur1id tide of the
river into Il sccthing caldrom of tawny
yellow foam. Now the river was ice
bound from shore to shore.
The robbers crunching footsteps were
close behind him. An instant's DELAY
and he was lost
lie stopped, graspcd the sled with both
hands and threw himself with a forward
motion heavily down the path.
As the runners struck the frozen snow
Black Mike, with wild cry, hurled him.
self on Dawes back. The sled, frcirh,cd
with lis heavy burden, shot rapidly down
the path. and darling between two great
pines, plunged sullcnly over the brink.
Not cry escaped its occupants. and
what followed Dave could never after
ward speak of intclligcntly. When the
sled made the plunge hc jcrked his cap
partly over his eyes and held his head
down. lie remembered the IrShman's
heavy weight ON his back. the long arms
that reached beyond his own and .rrippcd
the sides of the sled. Then came a blind.
dizzy sensation, roaring in his en- IS,
burning pains as of thousand needles
/ piercing his hands and face, Il feeling Of
Sultocation. Next, just as his cap Was
wrenchcd violently from his head. the
sled appeared to leave the ground, leap
madly into the mir, and with a stunning
shock that seemed to have shattered every
bone in his body he lost consciousness.
1t was only momentarily lie opened
his eyes, and with one hand drops Of
blood from his face. They were gliding
with fearful velocity over the frozen river
straight toward Wysanking lie rcmcm
bercd only dimly what had happened.
That heavy weight was still pressing on
his back.
!nstinctively he reached for his breast
pocket. The money was there. lie was
Just BEGINNING to realize the situation
when the sled plunged hlinoly into u
haif-lrozcn air-hole surrounding Il great
Drown t,..n ~