The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-04-13

that. says, in my deaf an afflicted style,
why not shoot the ugly rogue, if mirth, in
deed, be your objectr For to wait till an
uglier comes to this untraveled spot is super
fluffy"
How to explain matters to Billy was more
than could tell, but in moment he himself
| supplied the means. For the rocks here were
| of some kind of slate, very hard, but scaly;
and finding two pieces, a large and a small
he handed them to me, bawling that was to
write Herewith. So, giving him my pistol
l made shift to scribble few words. Seeing
! his eyes twinkle as he read l stood up.
The charcoal by this time was a glowing
mass of red and threw so clear light on US
that feared the crew on board the sloop
might see our forms and suspect their misad-
venture. But the lantern still hung steadily;
so, signing TO Billy to drag our prisoner be-
hind a tamaris1 bush. l opened the second
packet and poured some of the powder into
| my hand.
1t was composed Of tiny crystals, yellow
and faky; and, holding it, for a moment 1
was possessed with a horrid fear that this
might be the signal to warn the sloop away
I flung look at the captain, who read my
thoughts on the instant.
'Never fear, young sir; am no such hero
as to sell my life for that tag-rag. Only make
haste, for your deaf friend has a cursed ugly
way of fumbling his pistol"
So taking heart, I tore the packet wide,
and shook out the powder on the Goals.
Instantly there came a dense, choking
vapor, and vivid green fare that turned
the rocks, the sky and our faces to CHASTITY
brilliance. For two minutes, at least, this
unnatural light lasted. AS soon as it died
-. L. 7
ward
The lantern on the sloop was moving in
answer to the signal. Three times it was
lifted and lowered; and then in the stiffness
/ heard voices calling, and soon after the reg
ular splash Of oars.
There was no time to be lost Pulling the
captain to his feet, we scrambled up gully,
and out at the top, and across the fields az
fast as our legs would take us. Molly came
to my call and trotted beside me-the cap
tain following some PAGES behind, and Billy
last, to keep a safe watch on his movements.
At the gate, however, where we turned
into the road, tethered the mare, lest the
sound OF her hoofs should betray US, and
down towards the sea we pelted, till almost at
the foot of the hill pulled up and listened,
the others following my example.
above the wash of waves on the beach.
looked about me. On either side the road
was now banked by tall hills, with clusters of
bracken and furze bushes lying darby on
their slopes Behind one of these clusters l
stationed Billy with the captains long sword
and pistol that by signs forbade him to
fire unless in extremity. Then, retiring some
forty PAGES up the road, hid the captain and
myself on the other side.
Hardly were we thus disposed before
heard the sound Of a boat grounding on the
beach below, and the murmur of voices, and
then the noise of feet trampiing the single
Upon which / ordered my prisoner to give a
hail, which he did readily
"Ahoy, Dick! Alloy, Reuben Gedges!"
In a moment or two came the answer:
'Ahoy, there, captain-here we bel"
Fetch along the cargo!" shouted Capt.
Settle, on my prompting.
where be yOu!"
Cup the road here-waitingw
zone minute, then-wait onS minute, cap
tainl"
/ heard the boat pushed off, some good
nights called, and then with tender anguish
the voice Of my Della lifted in entreaty. As
/ guessed, she was beseechiug the sailors to
these villains. There followed an oath or
two growled out, a short scrimmage, and at
last, above the splash of the reteating boat,
came the tramp of heavy feet on the road
below.
So fired was I at the sound Of Deia's voice,
that twas with much ado kept quiet behind
the bush Yet I had wit enough left to look
to the printing of my pistol, and also bid the
81, 4 b1 lf,rla+
shone ont down the road, and round the cor
ner came 2 man bearing a lantern.
Cant be quicker, captain" he called;
''the Jade struggles 50 that Dick and Jeremy
ha' their hands full"
Sure enough, after him there can1e in view
two stopping forms that bore MY dear maid
between then-one by the feet, the other by
the shoulders l ground my teeth to see it,
for she writhed sorely. On they came, how
ever, until not more than ten PAGES of; and
then that tra1aor, Luke Settle, rose up behind
our busn.
''Set her here, boys" said he, land tie her
pretty ankles"
well met, captain" said the fellow with
the Naturalization Gedgcs-stepping for
ward; give US your hand.'
He was holding out his own, when l sprang
up, set the pistol close 70 his chest and fired.
His scream mingled with the roar Of it, and,
| dropping the lantern, ne threw up his hands
and tumbled in heap, At the same mo-
ment out went the light, and the other ras-
Gals, dropping Della, turned TO run, crying
"Soldl sold,'
But behind them came now a shout from
Billy. and a crashing blow that almost sew
cred Black Dicks arm at the shoulder; and
ct the same instant / was on Master Toys
collar, and had him down in the dust. Kneel-
| ing on his chest, with my sword point at his
throat, had leisure TO glance at Billy, who
! In the dark seemed to be sitting on the head
| Of his disabled victim And then l felt a
! touch on my shoulder and a dear face peered
/ into mine.
lis II Jack-my sweet Jacktn
''To be sure SAID |; and if you but reach
out your hand, will kiss it, for all that I'm
/ busy with this rogue"
! NAY, jack, III kiss thee on the cheek-sol
/ Dear LAD, am 50 frightened, and yet could
/ laugh for joy,"
/ But now caught the sound Of gajioping
/ on the road above. aud shouts, and then
more galloping: and down came troop Of
/ horsemeu that were ike 20 have ridden over
/ Us. had | not shouted Justify.
/ Who II the fend's name Is hereF shouted
! the foremost, pulling in his horse with a
/ scramble.
/ Honest men and rebels together / an
! swered; but Igat the lantern that you viii
! find handy by, ana you shall know one from
/ t'cJner"
/ BY the time twas found and liz there was
/ ? dozen Of Col. John Digbv's dragons about
/ Us, and before the two Williams were bound
! comes half dozen men, leading IN Capt
/ Settle, t1aJ had taken 70 MS heels SIS the first
/ blow and climbed the hiii, al tad as he was
abcu. tae hands. and was caught IN his en-