The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-07

ing sort of porch or table, a few square
yards in area, where one might recline at
his ease. and have an unobstructed view
both up and down the coast. Here l I'M
strung my knapsack and ate nv lunch
con- After emptying the pint bottle Of
YIN ordinaire, l threwit over the brink;
II went wheeling down, growing smaller
and smaller, till, just before it became in
visible, 1t struck on a fiat stone and was
spliniered into dust. What piungei
Meditatin upon this, | filled and lighted
my pipe; and just then L saw the wagon
with the red-shirted man, about four hun
dred yards further up the beach. The
wsgon-a low. broad-bottomed contri-
vance-was now full of kelp. / got out
my telescope. lay down on my stomach,
and brought the glass to bear.
Yes; it was Adolphe. He was transfer
ring the kelp from the wagon into a large
basket. This basket was attached to one
end OF rope, which hung down from the
top OF the cliff, which overhung its base at
IBIS point. Above, the rope passed over a
wheel, liked between two uprights driven
nrny into the ground few feet back
rom the edge. This end oft was attached
TO the traces of a spawned and bony horse.
IN charge of bare-legged boy. When the
boy led the horse away at right angles to
the brim of the cliff the basket assembled
until after hundred yards had been COW
cred, 1t was al the top of the precipice.
lhe boy then returned, emptied it of its
contents, and sent il on its downward
journey again. and SO they would go on
Until the contents of the wagon had been
transferred TO the field.
was going to shut up the telescope
when l happened to notice something
moving on the beach between me and the
wagon. 1t WAS man, and he was acting
oddy He was crouching on his hands
and knees behind one of the big fragments
OF chalk that had fallen from above, and
seemed to be peering cautiously from this
cover at the unconscious AdoIphe. Some
ming cleaned in his hand; il was the bar
e.ei short carbine.
what game was this hunter stalking,
ana who vas he? The glass informed me
inst 1t was Philippe; and it was painfully
evident that he was stalking Adolphe.
ne has made up his mind. then TO deliber-
s.eiy murder his rival. He has followed
hsin rom the village, and was now on the
punt OF shooting him down in cold blood.
ana was TO be the witness of the crime
instnctively l jumped to my feet and
shouted al the top of my voice. NV voice
tame back 10 me upon the wind. The
VINO, the roar of the surf and the distance
,ohoined TO make the effort futile. Not
'ess impossible was II TO get down TO the
scene OF the coming tragedy in time 10
avert IL. The nearest ravine was fully half
shiie distant | was helpless. There was
Iothing 10 be done except to denounce
rhiiippe TO the authorities after the crime
vas committed. Meanwhile the visible
appfoach OF the catastrophe fascinated me.
almost unconsciously / resumed my posi-
Won on the ground and again brought the
~itseope 10 bear
fhllppe had now settled himself in his
pace, and had rested the barrel OF his car
o'he along the top of the boulder. He was
10Y more than thirty PAGES from Adotphe.
asa miss was out of the question. All
.sls tiine AdOlpne's utter Inconsistencies
u u uahger seemed positively grotesque.
us careless movements, MS obvious light
.sa'tedness and enjoyment of existence
sfuck me as mOnstrous. Was there no
s-ch ming rs prcsentiment for human
Ing IN such situationt He was prob
s'ay thinking Of Silyie at that moment. A
u'oNient more and he would be dead. 1t
sehed lmpos sible that the awful cnauge
snoa'd come upon him, not merely SO sud-
sHy nut 50 without a shadow of fore
warning
Then caught myself awaiting with a
1T Oh impotence the puff OF smoke from
se u!aLz vi the carhIne. Adolph would
.saad sway on his feet for breath OF
~ clutch air with his hands aud fall.
.aaho'her swift VISION ] saw myself in
80 witness box IN the crowded court, de-
.eoihg the details OF the murder, while
s se iace OF Philippe, CHASTITY with the
as.o" of the guliloune upon 1t, stared at
&c rom the pen. And for a background
se visionary horrors there were the
palAing ocean. the hite ships, the sing
.,s oTeeze. the mighty lift OF the preciplce
All The glory and vgor of tile day.
S,"h{ Philippe delayed 10 ire, cannot
-. - Perhaps ne was waiting till Adolphe
~ INTO favorable position. Perhaps he
playing with his range. knowing IL 10
secnre. or. Il may be, be hesitated, as
re may hesitate on the verge Of commit
nortai aud irrevocable sin; ana the
saethorY OF their lifelong comTadeship may
afe come over him. Yet he meant 10
Heot lie had gone too far 10 go back.
AIoipne had hlled his basket with sea
.eed' and, raising his right foot, began 10
,ssnip down some of the loose pieces near
'e edge. In doing so his leg came IN con-
et With the rope where IL Was attached
we handle, and sent warning move
gu. GU crawling up il. This was coInmuni-
NA'so ~ The traces oi the horse ABOVE. and