Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1892-09-01

thought flashed through my brain that
well-nigh paralyzed me. About half a
mile south of the station the trail
crossed ravine one hundred and thirty
feet in depth. There had formerly
been a rude bridge there, but the ac-
ton Of the elements had long since de-
molished this structure, and l recol-
lected that upon my last journey over
the trail l had been obliged to cross
this gulley upon a narrow plank at
least twenty feet in length If could
reach this place before the ''ringers"
and crossing, draw the plank after me,
| would be safe-but supposing the
ringers" reach there first; sand worst
of all, what if the plank be gone entire
ly! The thought was sicllening!
My attention at this point was at
tractcd to my pursuers. One Of the
num Der had been precipitated from his
saddle. This event caused the whole
party to draw rein for an instant, but
they were shortly to hoof again with
renewed strength. could distinguish
their angry voices as they came on. l
looked ahead and estimated the dis
tance. 1t was q good two miles at
least to the ravine, for l had covered
scarcely five miles of the plateau. The
ringers had gained upon me, SO that.
| would have only about sixty rods
lead at the angle. It was at least
quarter of a mile from there to the
ravine. Could l make it? Indeed it
became question, too. Of whether my
strength would last! Strong and Wig
!,
condition that would tend to annihilate
the most Herculcan anatomy. My
breath came in gasps, and my arms
we're bloated and numb, but set my
teeth firmly together and rushed on.
{ did not have as great a lead at the
ars.le as had anticipated. and as my
pursuers came into the trail behind me
[ could hear the quick, heavy. breath
ing of their mustangs, and the riders
urging them on. The ringers were
certainly thoroughly enraged
Inch by inch they gained as we
neared the ravine. What if the plank
were not there! My blood turned cold
at the thought. ! strained my eyes to
discover it. Yes, thank Heaven! there
was narrow span across the dark
crevasse. But could dismoupt and,
cross before the Ringers overlook
me? On, on, l went. The infnitesi-
NAL part of a second seemed an age! I
fancied I felt the hot breath Of the
mustangs upon my cheek. My brain
whirled, my heart seemed to cease
beating, grappled the handle bars
with frenzied clasp and grew deathly
fu,r A.
ravine. The ringers were approach
ing like the wind-thirty twenty
five. saw would not have time to
dismount and cross the panlx-there
was but one thing to do! "a man has
to die some day. muttered between
my teeth, and heading down the slope
l dashed. out upon the long, quivering
plank. felt the wood snap and settle
as my weight came upon it, and then a
wild yell of rage rang out and / felt
the hand e- bars jerked violently from
my grasp, while with hnge shot
into the air and fell head first on the
opposite leGge. Jumping to my feet l
turned about just in time to see both
bicycle and plank disappear into the
ravine. One of the RINGERS" had las
seed the little wheel to the machine
The sudden tension of the rope jerked
him bodily from his saddle to the earth.
walked the remaining mile to the sta:
ton, and related my novel adventure
to my companions over our pipes
around a roaring campfire that even
ing. II had covered he entire distance
of twenty miles in two hours and TWEEN
ty-one minutes.
Two days thereafter the survey was
completed and the corps disbanded i
came on home and have since enjoyed
many good whirl upon my old wheel,
although hardly of such a hazardous
character as the one narrated
JEAN LA RUE BURNETT.