The Opelousas courier., 1892-09-10
rnshed out again WITH a gun, and fred

1 word. OuT canoes WSIc AlSoo
and we stood a good chance OF escaping
But as we rounded the bend we en-.
countered an obstacle that doomed us to
certain capture.
A stiff breeze blew up the river, and
the rolling waves instantly checked oui
progress. We knew it was useless to
think of making speed in the teeth OF
such a gale.
Mark scanned the shores closely; on
both sides were the mountains.
"No landing place anywhere. Stop
] have it," he cried. "You see that
ledge of rocks over there2 Paddle your
best for it," and as we shot across the
water he explained his idea: It's oul
only chance. We must get our canoe
to the top of that cliff before they gel
near enough to the bend to seq us. ]
think we can find a hiding place W
there, and it's the last place they will
look for us.o
Marks plan seemed impossible of &C.
complishment, for a granite wall rose
abruptly to a height of twenty feet, and
beyond it, dense with pines and under
growth, lowered the mountain.
Our canoe bumped the shore, ana
Mark leaped out.
"Quick nowi" he cried. "Get to the
top Of the cliff and let down that rope
Of yours, Dale
We clambered up a little to the right
of the ledge, and by the aid of the
bushes reached the top safely. The rope
was q long one, and, cutting it IN hail.
we made a running moose in each piece,
as Mark directed, and dropped them
down to him. s~pringing into the water
waist deep, he slipped a moose under
each end of my canoe, and then, with a
tremendous effort, we hauled it.up.
Il was q heavy load, but we brought
it up safely, and dragged 1t back under
the pines. Dale's canoe came next, and
then Mark put the ropes on his OWE n
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 ron 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.
I wanted to start at once, but Mark
would not hear Of it.
stNo,n he said, tive must wait till
dark. Carson is doubtless on the look
out for u.s."
Toward shutdown the wind fell and
the river grew calm as a mirror. We
ate q hastily prepared cold supper, and
when the twilight made the opposite
mountain only . blurred dark mass, we
prepared to resume u voyage.
We were just going to lower the FIRST
canoe, and Mark was looking down oyer
the brink, when he suddenly sprang
back.
aGreat Scott, Dalei" he cried. "You
have left your paddle standing up against
the cliffin
Dale looked down; $50 I did," he
replied. tits a wonder they didn't see
it,
stSee itan Mark echoed, angrily. 20
course they saw it. How could they
help ito We're ia q fix now. eI'H bet
q dollar they have been watching all af.
ternoon for US to come down. Now,
here it's dark, and ten to n they are
planning to attack US. All through
your carelessness, too"
Dale attempted to explain, but Mark
NO longer paid any attention to him. Ht
was listening intently.
Suddenly he turned and held up hi
hand.
"Hushi Not a sound he said, softly.
81 hear a boat coming, but it's still
some distance NJ the river. Pull that
canoe back again and get ready for an
attack
There were but few preparations to be
made though, for Marks rifle and a re-
volver Of mine constituted our whole
arsenal.
Mark stretched himself on the edge oI
the cliff and motloned us back. Ter
minutes. passed in silence. Then W.
heard twice repeated q harsh sound,
like the faint creaking OF oar locks.
I could feel the cold Precipitation
starting on my forehead as the next five
minutes passed in oppressive stiffness.
Dale had crept back behind the shelter
Of his canoe. l was wishing most earn
estly that something would happen Il
put an end to this terrible suspense,
when Mark suddenly cried out, in
clear, ringing voice:
81 win shoot the first mar that tries
to climb this cliff, and instantly came
a sharp click as he cooked his rife.
For q minute not 8 sound was heard
and then d gruf voice responded:
IF you fallars up thar hand down al
yure vallybles an cash, an eatable stuff.
you kin go in peace. If not, we'll come
up an take EN-. anagive re a gooG
trouncin' il ther bargain.
That's . moderate demand, z replied
Mark. HBut if you know what's GOOD
for you, you will go back up the rive
and let US alone. WI don't intend to Be
robbed if we can help it,
"RobbedT' growled out the voict
from below. What did you fellars try
to do this mornin'2 Did yer level hest