The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1892-07-21
MkNITOWOC. WIS. JULY 81. 1892.

ly when their chief suddenly appear
ed.
El Nino was at this period man of
forty, tall and strongly built: his broad
shoulders and muscular arms denoted
uncommon vigor; his features were
harsh. and his expression savage; the
fantastic fire. flashes playing on his
face, gave his physiognomy charac-
ter rendered yet more strange by the
ironical smile which scanned his thick
and Aeshy lips.
"QuarTels and disputes agaiar' he
said. in stern, decided tone. Can t
you live in harmony, like honest rob
bers2'
The briganis attempted a iustitica
ton which he instantly cut snort.
''Silencew lie said Il won't hear
anything. Good Heaven, you were
squatting around the fire ike idiotic
monks, without thinking any more of
our common safety than if we We're
alone in the universe Luckily. | am
always OH the alert. Where did the
man go to whose horse l found in the
shedH'
At these words an involuntary shud-
der ran through me, and [ reflected
with terror on the perilous position in
which chance and my evil destiny had
placed me.
I was literally in trap from which
there was no escape, and / commend
ed my soul TO Heaven. while resolv-
ing 10 sell my life as dearly as possible
to these bandits, whose ferocity l knew
TOO we'll to entertain the slightest
doubt as to the fate which awaited me,
should | fall into their hands.
Meanwhile the bandits, startled by
their captains words, had seized their
carbines.
''NNe do not know where the man
Won speak of is said one of the men.
'When we came here the tower was
empty
':Possibly," replied Ell Nino. In
any case two of you must search out
side the tower He may be inhiding."
The men went out, and the captain
began striding up and down the hall,
while awaiting their return.
They came back in IL minute
'W ZIP" asked the chief.
eve have not seen him. replied the
two bandits. The horse is still in the
shed. but there's no trace of the rider. y
"Humph.' and the captain resumed
his tramp.
La a moments time the captain
halted.
Has the inside the tower been
searched?" he asked
NO" replied the bandits. "No
man would be insane enough to rush
into VOLTS den"
'.Who knows?" muttered the cap
tain, shaking his head. perhaps tie
man we seek was here before you, and
hearing you coming, knowing who he
had TO deal with, and finding his re
treat cut off, has gone into the upper
| stories. Let us scare h them. In oul
trade two precautions are better than
one"
And followed by his men, III Ninc
won't toward the staircase.
/ Immediately went up to the second
story. | soon heard the racket made
by the bandits as they searched and
rummaged in every corner.
You have seen no trace of him -
heard the captain say. Search
higher up"
The tower had but two stories and
| ended in platform, WEIGH l reach ed,
gasplng prey to the profoundest
terror. To me it was evident that nc
human power could come to my rescue
| went back and forth and round and
round like wild beast Below the
platform was a precipice Of a hundred
feet. Ny teeth chartered as if they
would break, cold prespiration bath
ed my face, and a convulsive tremor
shook my whole body. | heard the
bandits on the stairway. springing
like blood-hounds in pursuit OF me,
and | shuddered as [ calculated how
many seconds were left to me.
Finally, maddened by terror, [ re-
solved to spring off the tower rather
than fall alive into the hands of these
villains.
Mechanically. before accomplishing
this desperate act, | leaned my head
over the abyss, doubtless to measure
the chasm at the bottom of which
would soon be crushed.
L perceived then. about two feet be-
low me, an iron bar about three feet
long and an inch and half in diane
ter, which was set firmly in the wall.
from which it projected horizontally.
W hat had this bar been formerly used
for?
At that moment | scarcely troubled
myself about this. A sudden idea had
occurred to me and given me the
hope of escaping from the assassins
who We're pursuing me and soon would
reach me-
Time pressed / had not minute
to lose; SO, without further reflection
L bestrode the ledge of the platform.
and seizing the iron bar with my
hands, | let my body hang over the
abyss, and waited
/ had no sooner assumed the posi-
ton than the bandits poured tumultu-
ously on the platform, which they be
gan to cross In every direction. The
storm still continued, the rain fell in
torrents, the wind blew furiously, and
at intervals the lightning tore the
clouds asunder.
You see, captain, there IS nobodyr'
cried the bandits
True" replied the captain, spite
fully.
Lets go down; it isn't serene here, ,
said one of the robbers.
$50 be it, said the chief.
A sigh of relief escaped my heart at
these words. which showed me that
the brigands, convinced of the useless
ness of their search, were finally re
treating.
Saved
From the depth of my heart thank
ed Heaven for the unexpected succor
vouchsafed in my distress, and pre-