The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-07-02

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seized the chain, and was dragging Il
l toward the water. II resisted his Efforts,
and, letting 20 Of it, be gave couple
Of loud shouts.
~ think II Is time to leave" su0.
gested Mark; he is evidently calling hi
sons"
Dale was already some yards ahead,
and, without losing any time, we
padded swiftly down steam.
Carson still continued to shout, and
we fancicd we could hear faint reply.
Then, as be saw us moving swiftly cut
Of reach, he ran into the hut, and before
We could see what he was about, be
rushed out again with gun, and fired
directly at US.
The shot actually spattered about our
canoes, and setting our teeth firmly. we
padded as we had never padded be-
fore. Another bend was before US, and
Just as we neared the turn Mark wheeled
round In his canoe and leveled q pair of
field glasses up the river. He took long
survey and then picked up his paddle.
"Thete are three Of them now," be
said, slowly. "Thcy have launched the
boat and arc coming in pursuit"
We bent to our paddles without a
word. Our canoes were light runners,
and we stood good chance Of escaping.
But as we rounded the bend we en-
countercd an obstacle that doomed US to
certain capture.
A stiff breeze blew up the river, and
the rolling waves instantly checked our
progress. We knew it was useless to
think Of making speed in the teeth Of
such gale.
Mark scanned the shores closely; on
both sides were the mountains.
mo landing place anywhere. Stopl
have it" he cried. you see that
ledge OF rocks over tnere2 Paddle your
best for it." and as we shot across the
water he explained his idea: It's our
only chance. We must get our canoes
to the top Of that cliff before they get
near enough to the bend to SEQ US. 1
think VIC can find hiding place up
there, and it's the last place they will
look for us"
Marks plan seemed impossible OF ac.'
complishment, for granite wall rose
abruptly TO height of twenty feet, and
beyond it, dense with pines and under
growth, lowered the mountain.
Our canoes bumped the shore, and
Mark leaped out.
"Quick nowln he cried. 'sGet to the
top OF the cliff and let down that rope
Of yours, Dale"
We clambered up little to the right
Of the ledge, and by the aid Of the
bushes reached the top safely. The rope
was a long one, and, cutting it in half,
we made running moose in each piece,
as Mark directed, and dropped them
down to him. Springing into the water
waist deep, he shipped moose under
each end of my canoe, and then, with q
tremendous effort, we hauled it up.
It was a heavy load, but we brought
it up safely, and dragged it back under
the pines. Dale's canoe came next, and
then Mark put the ropes on his own and
hurried up to help us.
We had barely dragged it over the
edge and pulled it back into the shadow
when we heard the sharp click of oars,
and, peeping out through the trees, we
saw Carson and his two boys rowing
swiftly round the bend. In great sus-
pense we watched them shoot past the
cliff and pull on down the river.
An hour later they came slowly back,
Carson and one son moving the boat
close along the mountain, while the
other boy travelled the opposite shore,
vainly searching for our hiding place.
We hardly drew breath as the boat
passed directly beneath Us. Then the.
sound grew fainter, and soon the craft
vanished round the bend.
wanted to start at once, but Mark
would not hear of it.
no." he said, 1--WE must wait till
dark. Carson is doubtless on the look
out for US"
Toward shutdown the wind fell and
the river grew calm as mirror. We
ate hastily prepared cold supper, and
when the twilight made the opposite
mountain only blurred dark mass, we
prepared to resume our voyage.
We were just going to lower the first
canoe, and Mark was looking down over
the brink, when he suddenly sprang
back.
''Great Scott, Dale!",he cried. "You
have left your paddle standing up agains.
the cliff
Dale looked down; $50 did," he
replied. .'It's a wonder they didn't see
it."
. "See ita" Mark echoed, angrily. 'fof
course they saw it. How could they
help ita We're in fix now, '.I'li bet
a dollar they have been watching all af-
ternoon for us to come down. Now,
here it's dark, and ten to one they are
planning to attack us. Ali through.
your carelessness, toe"
Dale attempted to explain, but Mark
no longer paid any attenticu to him. He
was listening intently.
Suddenly Returned and held up his
hand.
NtT " u