Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1890-05-02

in the basement, remained oblivious TO
her call.
For moment Elsie stood looking
wildly about her, tumult of fear and
agony at her heart, then she again
shrieked for help at the top of her voice,
and catching sight of high pole on the
top of which a large bell was hung, used
to summon the laborers to dinner, she
hastily grasped the rope that hung sus-
pended within her reach and rang the
bell furiously.
Then without waiting moment, she
fed toward the inlet. Swift as deer,
she fairly flew across the level space, and
plunged down the rocky slope to the
place where the large ferry boat lay
moored on the tranquil waters. Close
beside it small skiff rested upon the
margin of the inlet, and into this Elsie
leaped lightly as a bird.
Hastily loosing the painter, she
grasped the oar and shot the small craft
into the shining bay.
She had only one thought now, and
that was TO save Paul and her uncle from
the danger that menaced them, never for
one moment stopping to think that she
might be placing herself in the greatest
peril Elsie was perfectly familiar with
the management of A boat, and this
knowledge now stood her in good stead.
Swiftly the little skitf shot across the
water, and no sooner had it touched the
north shore of the inlet, than Elsie sprang
ashore, and throwing the painter across
a rock, she bounded swiftly up the cliff.
Reaching the summit, she glanced
quickly to the north, and sweeping
swiftly down toward her, she beheld
Paul and her uncle, not a quarter of
mile away, a score of savages, with wild
gesticulations, laundering close behind
them.
Leaping upon a huge bowlder Elsie
waved her handkerchief high in the air.
Then motioning toward the inlet that
the fugitives might know that the boat
was there awaiting them, she turned and
ran back down the slope to the waters
edge. In moment she had turned the
boat about, and leaping aboard, stood
there straining her eyes up the cliff, her
face as pale as death.
Then there came the sound of flying
hoofs. She saw two horses plunge into
view and rear wildly on the very verge
of the cliff The next instant Don Miguel
and Paul threw themselves from the
backs of the foaming steeds, and leaped
swiftly down the rocky incline toward
the boat
'Great heavens. Elsie and alonew
This from the don, as the two spran9
into the boat. There was no time to
cross the inlet before the foe would be
within easy range, for already the sound
of hoofs could be heard beyond the cliff.
Don Miguel graspcd the oar and sent
the boat out into the bay; but before he
had taken three strokes there was a
furious sound of charging horses above,
then the hideous faces of half dozen
Apache warriors peered over the cliff,
followed by the CLEAN of lances among
the rocks. The next moment the loud re-
port of their rifles sounded along the
ledge
But at that very instant, moved as if
by inspiration, Don Miguel had, with one
powerful sweep of the oar, shot the boat
under an overhanging cliff, and the bull
lets struck harmlessly into the water,
safe distance behind the little craft.
With bowls of batf1ed rage the Apaches
now charged down the rocky slope, but
before they reached the waters edge the
don had rowed the boat around a huge
chimney-like rock which Overhung the
water in such a manner as to completely
hide the little craft and its occupants
from the view of those above.
At that moment there came the sound
of rapid firing from the south side Of the
bay, and glancing in the direction of the
sound, Don Miguel beheld swarm of
men advancing from the hacienda, firing
at the savages as they came, while
dozen mounted herders were galloping
up the south shore of the inlet.
Finding themselves outuumbered as
we'll as outwitted, the whole gang of
Apaches beat hasty retreat, and rode
swiftly off in the direction of the
mountains, carrying PauIs and the don's
horses with them. The men from the
hacienda, hoVever, started in pursuit and
succeeded eventually in recapturing them.
When the little boat was rowed ashore
a great crowd that had been summoned
by Elsie's calls for help and the ringing
Of the bell, were awaiting the three who
had so narrowly escaped death; and
when the story of Elsie's deed was made
known, hearty cheer went up, while
EIsie's aunt folded the brave girl in her
arms with a burst of grateful tears
41,gosy.
An Enormous Cannon.
4 I Il rl~-F