The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-07-02

Jon Kan 60 ~ peace. II not, wen come
up an take 'em. an give " q good
trouncin' In ther bargain
"Tbat's . moderate demand replied
Mark. s.But II you know what's good
for you, you win 60 back up the river
and let US alone. We don't intend TO be
robbed II we can help it,
sRobbedl" growled out the voice
from below. "What did you fellars try
to do this mornin'f Did yer level best
ter drownd me-"
"Be careful" rejoined Mark. "Bet-
ter take warning, for know you, Lutte
Carson"
Instantly gun was fired, and we
heard the shot SCATTERING on the rocks
high overhead. Mark hastily drew
back.
'.I'm afraid I'll have to fire, !" he said.
II don't SEQ any other way. unless
hold onl / have it, by Jove! Where
are those cannon crackers, Charlie7"
To be sure, the next day was the
Fourth Of July, although in the excite
ment Of our encounter with the Carsons
we had for the time being utterly for
gotten the fact. We had brought along
two packs of big firecrackers, with
view to celebrating the day. wherever
we might chance to be. Here was an
opportunity to kill two birds with one
stone.
/ dove down into my canoe, and soon
dragged up the two bundles OF crack
ers.
They were of the very largest size, big
red fellows, and thic& as ones wrist.
Mark tore them open.
'I'll bet they will do the work." he
whispered excitedly. .sLie Nat on the
rocks now, and If they fire off fifty shots
they can't hit US. Pm going to make it
hot for them"
He crept to the edge again, holding
the one pack and box ,of> matches in
his hand. Soon / heard the boat
scraping on the rocks, and then Carson
said, harshly:
"Pm comm up there now, an If
thar's any monkeyin' with firearms, not
one of you'll see daylight ag'in. Jake"
he added to his son, .sif they pull on
me, shoot ter kill"
An interval of perfect calm followed,
during which, in spite of my deadly fear,
l crawled nearer the brink, which had
slight upward ascent. Mark suddenly
turned.
"Look sharp now" he whispered, and
match, he touched off big
cracker close to the head and dropped it
over the ledge.
A fearful report followed instantly, a.
deafening explosion that seemed to shake
the mountain, and echoed fearfully up
and down the river, while a streak Of
flame split the darkness, sparks and
burning wads OF paper fiared up every
where, and then, while still the hills
echoed, there came heavy splash and a
cry Of agony.
elm killed. I'm killed. I'm dead
mani Shoot, Jake, shoot, do you heart"
'tBang" Jake blazed into the dark
ness. and the charge of buckshot Kissed
about our ears, and elected howl OF
fright from Dale.
Jake mistook this for cry of pain,
and uttered triumphant shout, but
second cracker directed by Mark unerr-
Ing hand blew UP fcarfully close to his
bead, and, without breaking the connec-
ton, he changed the tune to perfect
Shrek of terror aud fell backward. Then
we heard Carson clambering out of the
water into the boat.
"The gun! quick!" he cried with
fearful oath.
Jake made no response.
'Do you hear met Jake-Billp the
old man howled.
''It's in the river" cried Bill, sullenly. i
''Jake let it slip when he fell over"
sin the river2' cried old Carson.
''The blamed fool. Give me your knife,
Bill, and ! swar I'll go up thar an slit
Their throats."
"Will you, thought" / heard Mark
mutter to himself, and then he touched
Oft the fuse that joined the balance Of
the pack, and, guided by the burning
scraps that rested on the boat, he tossed
the bunch directly into their midst.
Bang! bing-bingl bang. bang!-
bang-bing! bang-bang. Like can
nonade the crackers exploded in thun-
derous succession, and loud above the
din rose angry cries and excavations.
Carson doyclirou. the bow OF the boat,
Bill plunged headlong from the stern,
and Jake, after falling stupidity into the
blaze, danced over the sides with an
agility that was truly remarkable.
For short interval all was quiet, and
the burning fragments lit up the night
with weird, CHASTITY light, and began
TO ignite the woodwork of the boat.
Then an arm grasped the chain and the
boat shot out from shore. The flames
vanished and dark figures climbed iuto
The craft.
"Yure lives amt worth cent, = Car
ION Kissed at us. you'll hev half an
hour ter say your prayers" and vita this
gentle farewell the boat moved off, and
he creak of the oars grew fainter and
ainter. .# .l,
"UnIess we get out OF this at ONCE
Il II l.