, 1890-02-07

aid, turning toA group OF three who had
been Listening sttenHvely, will agrees TO
guido me-. l am willing to pay literally
for the service"
Tho three conferred apart briefly.
"Im summoned rs a witness myself
Said one, but l hadn't intended startin'
just yet. However. If you're in a hurry,
! don't mind keepin' you company"
banked him for his friendly onG,
and we were BOO in our saddles-
There's a shorter cut than goin' by the
road" said my companion, when We were
clear Of the settlement
gave myself to his guidance, and he
led the way into the woods, which were
open enough 20 DO ridden through with
out difficulty.
We had gone but a mile or two, when,
~Hushl' the man whispered.
A sound Of gAlloping behind was plain
ly audible.
"Indiansi We must ride for our Hvesr
said my comrsde, in the same lew whis-
per. Put your horse to his best, and
keep straight ahead, while / bring up
the rear and look out for the r-Ascals."
ClaPping spurs to my horse, on whose
speed and spirit l knew 1 could safely
Couhht L was EOOu CO1bluGTADly IN a.
vance Of my companion. There was NO
moon, but the starlight enabled me To
avoid the trees, and needless OF the
scratches from the thick underground I
dashed on
Suddenly, with 3 frightened snort, my
horse reared till no stood almost upright
The ~quickness OF tho motion threw me
from his back. Then losing his balance,
the terrified animal, with = shrek more
piercing han human voice ever uttered,
plunged hesdlong over the precipics
which the foliage had concealed, and
went crashing down upon tho roch far
below.
That 1 WIS the victim Of treschery WIS
the first thought that flashed upon me;
and the neHt WAS that the safety OF my
life depended on the belief Of my ono
mics that 1t had already been destroy ed.
Quietly as possible 1 crept beneath the
shelter Of = thicket and lay perfectly
sill Before long l heard voices, and
soon a light was struck; and with n torch
OF dried bark, which one Of them held, I
distinguished the features Of the three
men seen ut the inn, ono Of whom had
volunteered to DO my guide, They found
the tracks OF my horss where he had
gone over tho brink, and gave . Laugh
of satisfaction. q.
Now, Slower must hang beyond q
doubt" said one, and ue may breathe
freely; for had his innocence oeen proved
the suspicion more than once whispered
against ourselves would have beer re-
vived, and who knows what might have
~hAppenod?"
Than fla- 1a-~--zI
the sickening detxils of the murder, Of
which they had been the real authors,
and chuckled over tho money they bad
gotten by 1t.
At last they went swsy, md as soon n
1t was s.fo 1 left my hiding plsoe, and
after several hours wandering came
upon settlers cabin. Arousing the pro-
priet@, l made known my circumstances.
He WAS a frank, honest fellow, disposed
to give every ass~istsnos; and, saddlinR =
couple Of horses, We rssrted at day bghe
for tho seat OK justice.
The Last witness had given hts teso-
mony when | entered. Poor John Stover
bad nothing to Offer but his stesdy a.
sertion Of his innocence, and his umsup-
ported explanation of his possession u
the horse and money.
Arc there any witnesses for tho DO
fcnser' the Judge inquired.
There Is ONE" | answered, at shs cnd
Of 3 painful pause.
The prosecutor and the prisoners ooua-
sci both looked surprised.
Docs any ono know this g~eutlennns~
asked the former.
lido" said tho judge, in whom I reeog-
niDed an old college friend and c-lassaaase.
Come forward, Mr.. Wythe."
My testimony soon released the prs-
oner from his peril, and put In his place
the real criminals, who, in addition 10
the murder actually lying at thar deor,
had come so near having another wen
swsr for.-Trus Flag.