The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1891-12-26
ROYAL RANGER RALPH;
The Waif Of The Western Prahies,
BY WELDON ]. COBB.
CHAPTER XIV.
RANGER RALPH'S ADVENTURES,

We left Ranger Ralph in very pecu-
liar position of peril and excitement, an
occupant Of one Of the wagons the out
laws had secured from the attacked
emigrant train.
As has been stated, the scout believed
that his presence in the vehicle was not
known or even suspected.
He had crept thither, desperately
wounded as he supposed, and while I'M
conscious the wagon had started on It's
journey
From what he saw and heard, the
scout reasoned that Danton had met a
new section OF Dospard's outlaw band
near the emigrant train, and they We're
/ now returning to the banuft's head
quarters at Lone Canyon.
The plight was not a pleasant one to
the ranger He dscerned great peril
and trouble should Despard carry Inez
to his mountain home More than once
the cd scout had led the vigilantes to
the place, only to suffer defeat The
canyon was nearly impossible wnen
guarded by the outlaws.
Even were the girl rescued, it would
be difficult to pass through the country
infested by hostile Indians. Still, the
scout was glad the plot now conferred at
Lone Canyon. Here he knew the her
nit Walford lived.
The scout found that his wound, re-
ceived al tho ons ,aught on the emigrant
train, while painful, was by no means
serious He lay securely hidden by the
hay and straw in the bottom Of the
wagon, yet he could see his enemies on
the seat and behind the wagon.
The course Of the outlaws during the
morning was over prairie interspersed
with trees Toward evening they di-
verged to the mountains, entered Lone
Canyon, and then followed the Pueblo
River through the hills. 1t was just
about dusk when the cayalcade halted at
a place well known to the scout As he
pcercd from his covert he knew that he
was in the vicinity OF one OF the hardest
tavernS in the territory. 1t was known
as "lone Canyon Tavern" and was kept
by q man named Ditmar, who, surround
ed by fugitveS from Justice and crimi-
nails, safely defieJ the law in this isolated
place.
The entire party had stopped here,
and their noisy tones and climbing glass
es could be heard from the bar-room q
few minutes later.
The scout was about to shift his
panied, cramped position, and even med,
itated taking advantage of the gather
ing dusk to escape from the wagon, when
he paused and listened
Two men We're passing the wagon and
going toward the saloon. They were
conversing, and he heard one OF them
say:
Il understand Despard is going to d.
vide and leave the business
"Yes, when we get up to the den," re-
sponded the other.
There's considerable plumber to di-
vide.
the emigrant wagons"
IN god?"
"C,ear money; yes"
"Where is it,"
"Maybe it's in this wagon"
"Not likely"
"Why not?"
"They don't leave gold lying around
loose
One of the men, as If impelled by
some whimsical curiosity, had placed his
hand over the blackboard Of the wagon,
Cropping among the hay, he uttered a
startled ejaculation.
Hello:
"What is it?" asked his companion.
.There'S some one in here.
in the wagon?"
@Ies"
who is it?"
Dunno, but it's some one"
Lets have him out. !"
"So. That's Dantons business. l
wonder if he knows who it tsp"
May be friend OF his. Well tell
him about il, anyway"
The man pulled vigorously at the
scouts arm Ranger Ralph gave utter
ance To a series of incoherent mutter-
ings.
Drunk" commented one of the men.
They walked away toward the tavern.
The scout foresaw that his discovery
was only question of time He glanced
toward the tavern and OBJ erved that
several of the outlaws We're hanging
outside the pace in full sight OF the
wagon.
If | Coud on'y start up tho horses
around the ledge of rocks there, l would
be out of range and could escape" he
thought.
Ranger Ralph chirruped to the horses,
and they instantly started. He had
miscalculated what would occur, how
ever.
The moment they turned the ledge of
rocks the road led by a steep descent to
the river Unguided, and borne for
ward by the impetus Of the wagon, the
horses dashed down this declivi Gus
la hway.
The scout sprang TO his feet and start
ed for the seat. \ swing of the vehicle
dashed him against its sides, and then
he gave up all for los: for the wagon
pitched from side to side, lurched for
wa d, fell over the de Of the cliff, and
went tumbling TO tho rocky ted Of the
river, sheer forty feet below.
The startled outlaws hurried after the
wagon as they ii start forward. They
saw the catastrophe, and heard the
horses neigh wildly in terror as they
struggled in midair. Then the traces
gave way, The steeds disappeared
under the waters of The river.
The wagon struck the water, was sub
merged, and then with its living freight
was borne from sight into the shadows
of the canyon. down the swift current
o. the Pueblo River.
CHAPTER Nv.
WHITE FAwN.