Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1890-04-11

said, turning toa group Of three " no hid
been listening %attentively, "vill agree to
guide mo. am willing to pay literally
for tho service.
The three conferred apart briefly.
"Im summoned as a witness myself"
said one. "but | hadn't intended startin'
just vet. However, If you're in injury,
don't mind keepin' you company
l thanked him for his friendly offer,
and we were soon in our saddles.
There's a shorter cut than goin' by the
road, sid my companion, when we were
clear Of Che settlement.
Igave myself to his guidance, and he
led the way into the woods. which were
open enough to he 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.
Indians! We must ride for our livesg"
said my cOmrade, in the ann low wills
per. Put your horse to his best. and
keep straight ahead, while | bring up
the rear and look out for the rascals."
Clapping spurs to my horse. on whose
speed and spirit 1 knew ! could safely
count, | was SOON considerably in add
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 /
dashed on.
Suddenly. with a frightened snort. my
horse reared till he stood almost upright
The q~uickness of the motion threw me
from his back. Then losing his balance.
the terrified animal. with a Shrek more
piercing than human voice ever uttered
plunged headlOng over the precipice
which the foliage had concealed, and
went crashing down upon the rocks far
below.
That l was the victim Of trcachery was
the first thought that flashed upon me.
and the next was that the. safety Of my
life depended on tho belief of my ene-
mics that it had already been destroyed.
Quietly as possible l crept beneath the
shelter Of n thicket and lay perfectly
still. Before long | heard voices, and
soon a light was struck; and with a torch
of dried bark. which one of them held. ]
distinguished the features Of the three
men seen III the inn. one of whom had
volunteered to be my guide. They found
the tracks of my horse where he had
gone over the brink, and gave a laugh
of satisfaction.
Nov, Slower must hang beyond q
doubt said one, land we may breathe
freely: for had his innocence been proved
the suspicion more than once whispered
against ourselves would have been re
vived, and who knows what might have
happened:'
Then they discussed among themsclvei
? the sickening details of the murder, o
$ which they had been the real authors
and chucklcd over the money they Ina,
gotten by it.
At last they went away. and as soon q
it was safe | left my hiding place, ant
e after several hours wandering am
G upon asettler's cabin. Accusing the pro
o prictor. | made known my circumstances
lie was a frank, honest fellow, dispose,
to give every assistance: and, saddling
couple of horses. we started at daylight
, for the scat ct justice.
The last witness had given his testi
mony wien ] entered. Poor John Stove
had nothing to offer but his steady as
sertion of his innocence. and his ansup
ported explanation of his possession 0
J the horse and money.
Arc there any witnesses for the dc
, fense:' the judge inquired.
There is one" / answered, at tho en-,
Of q painful pause,
The prosecutor and the prisoners coun
j sci both looked surprised.
. docs any one know this gentleman:
asked the former.
lido said the judge, in whom l recog
nized an old college friend and classmate
i Come forward, Mr. Wythe."
My testimony soon released the pris
? oner from his peril, and put in his plac
the real criminals. who, in addition t
J the murder actually lying at their door
had ont Sc near having another to an
swer or.-True Flag.