The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-07
ON BLACK BUTTE.
nrom The Overland Monthlg.

panorama of forest and ridges. Not fal
from the cabin rose a high, isolated hi
known TO the mountaineers AS the Blaol
Butte. 1t was covered with dense chap
arral, out OF which cropped many lodges OF
sandstone like islands. s.
In this dwelling lived Mrs. Dargan and
her two children, Molly, u yesrs Of age,
and Nettle, a very pretty child Of 5, with
big blue eyes, and long white curls. She
was the idol Of her mother and sister.
There was a son also. fine lad Of 10, but
he was away working manfully in the saw
mill down In the canyon, whose dun drone
could be heard when the wind vas right
aud whose shrill whistle marked the time
for the little family on the mountain.
Mr.. Dargsn, who was turbulent, dis
sipated man had abaud ned his family and
nothing hal been heard Of him for three or
four years. It was better for them. the
mountain people said.
Mrs. Dargan hsld the qusrter-sectIon OF
of government land that her husband had
pre-empted d she and her two elder chill
dren were working hard 10 accumulate
money enough to prove up that Is, to
pay the 81 IS per acre required by the gov
eminent and secure their patent or title.
In pursuance OF this object Mrs. Dargan
often left Molly and little Nettie at home
while she went down to the mill village to
do washing for people there
The summer had opened very hot. The
sandstone ridges seemed to culver under
the blazing sun. The grass dried up;
the open hills turned brown. AT
sultry noon the cicadB filed the air
with shrill, vibrayory notes, which
seemed 10 increase the heat From behind
McLaughling's Ridge, which doomed like
wall against the sky, rolled dense volumes
of smoke from forest fires. This settled
into the. canyon, making everything hazy
and indistinct.
One morning Molly and Nettie went out
aud picked IA pailful OF wild blackberries,
returning TO the cool shelter Of the cabin
when the sun became hot. a portion Of
the fruit they ate for their lunch, with
spare allowance OF sugar and plenty Of
cream furnished by faithful Peggy, the
COW, who found her living on the neighbor-
ing hills.
Mrs Dargan intended going to the mill
the next day, and, which was unusual. re-
manning over night, as she had two days
work promised her. So she made pie with
the remaining berries aud set it away in
little cool safe, which was fastened on the
shady side OF the big oak tree in order that
the children might have an uncommon
dainty to console them during her absence.
Early the next morning she set out for
the mill, three miles distant Molly busted
BbTsel hOOAb Ll6 uOusb duQ Ldlhbu W N6lblb
with an important and motherly air. She
felt no fear at being left in charge in the
daytime, but her heart sank a little as she
thought of the coming night.
About noon she was sitting on the little
porch crocheting while Nettie played with
Der doll, when she was startled by the
heavy tramp Of horses. Four men came
across their saddles. Molly sprang up and
was about to retreat into the cabin with
Nettie when the leader called out:
"Don't be afraid. sis. We won't hurt
you"
In another moment they drew up before
the door.
"Wtere's your mother 2" asked the
leader.
"3hs,a gone down to the mill, sir" re-
Piled Molly.
"Area't you afraid to stay here alone ?"
Ne, sir"
"H'm. Which way did the man 20 who
passed here this morningp
81 didn't see any one pass this morning. ~
"Have you seen a strange man around
lately-a lame man with a long black
beardp
mo, sir"
The men consulted together in low tones
Then the leader turned to Molly with a
pleasant smile and said:
"Well, SIS keep sharp lookout for that
fellow He's a man and the officers In Texas
want him. He was shot in the leg when he
escaped, and you'll know him by his limp
Catch him for Us, and we'll pay you
handsome reward. Good-by."
The men laughed and rode away, leaving
Molly greatly alarmed at their startling
words. The thought Of desperate cri M
inal at large in her vicinity was terrifying.
She hurried into the house with Nettle and
bolted the door.
Toward evening she ventured out fear
fully, when a gentle lowing told her that
Peggy had come up to be MIXED and to re-
ceive her usual handful of bran. With
frightened eyes sho glanced at the darken-
ing woods and hills, but saw nothing to JUS
tify her alarm; yet she breathed more freely
when she was again safely behind her bolted
door In her apprehension che even forgot
the blackberry pie.
She built a fire in the fireplace, for the
California nights are cool even In midsum-
mer, and spent the evening singing to Net
tie and telling her stories. There was no
light in the cabin than that of the fire, for
kerosene was expensive.
In the middle of a story Molly was STAR
tied by strange flash of light which
swiftly traversed the opposite wall and
vanished. For a moment her heart seemed
TO leap into her throat, and she was over
come by fear. Then she realized that the
light came from the outside and had flashed
through the window. Swiftly, without
noise, she placed Nettle in corner, warn
ing her to keep still because some one was
coming; then scattered the brands in the
fireplace and threw ashes on them.
She crept to the window and looked out.
A strange beam Of light cut athwart the
darkness and flashed weirdly over trees and
bushes, then wheeled and darted through
the window again with a binding glare.
Molly dropped to the foo- aud listened.
She heard slow, cautious footsteps ap-
preaching They were irregular, like the
steps of a man who limps They came nearer
aud reached the porch. A CLEAN Of light
poured through the crack under the door.
and as suddenly vanished. The strange
visitor evidently carried dark lantern.
Then there was heavy knock. Molly did
not answer, and presently the latch rat
tied and the door creaked under a heavy
pressure.
who's there" called Molly in tone of
fright.
''Is your mother at homer growled a
hoarse voice.
'What do you wantl" gasped Molly, still
more frightened Nettie began to cry. and
Molly fastened to her corner and tried to
soothe her.
''Who's that cryingr' asked the gruff
voice
"Its my little sister. You've scared her
half to death. Please go away" replied
Molly with a bravery that surprised her