The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1892-10-07
THE SHADOW.

anu Odudud Is d blua11 bnetb VI WAFER
overhung at one point by a high cliff
known as The Smuggler's Shadow, con-
corning the origin of which name is
given the following singular story:
"What did you make o them, BurkT
"They are s'picuous looking crowd,
and set them down as United States
officers"
"Jes' my Judgment; and I reckon the
boys had better be put on the lookout"
Correct. Tell them to meet down to
Lingo's and I'll be long later. 1 jes'
wanter see If everything is all right at
the Horse Shoe"
Hadn't you better take one o the boys
long with you? You
"Bah! do you think Burk Brandon
has lost the mettle of this good right
arm? No; I'll go to the Horse Shoe
alone, an I'll come back, too, in spite of
'em hounds of the law"
He was a tall, burly framed man,
with coarse features and grizzly locks,
his ungainly form clad in a gray suit or
coarse material.
His companion, though smaller in
stature, was evidently man of his own
stamp.
They were known as farmers by the
few settlers of that thinly populated
country, though had the truth been
known they, with half dozen others,
followed the more hazardous and I'M
lawful vocation of smuggling.
The appearance of several strange
men in that vicinity had naturally
,,,,- hoA
less than year since some officers had
suddenly appeared searching for the
smugglers supposed TO be lurking In
that locality. Though they had sue
ceeded in throwing the officials off their
track then it would be more difficult to
do it again.
Anxious each to go his way, the pre-
cious twain separated, the younger has
tening to warn their associates of the
impending danger, while the other bent
his steps toward the hiding place of
their contraband goods.
$50 the hounds think to smell me
out!' muttered the smuggler chief as he
followed his way. well, mebbe they
will, but nore'n likely they'll find that
old Burk Brandon has q keener scent
than they!" and he smiled grimly, while
latent fire shone in his small gray
eyes.
1t was already nightfall when he
reached by boat that part of the lakes
shore overlooked by granite cliffs Of
considerable height, but the moon hal
risen, so the smuggler was enabled to
pursue his course without difficulty.
Winding his way amid the powders
~, hiS oT,5 f1rpy1- Nvnd-
ing through a shallow pool Of water, he
finally came upon n spot where the cliff
| overhanging the water in a semicircle
formed a small cove which could not be
seen until fairly reached.
A narrow shelf abont midway on the
side of the precipitous ascent offered a
foothold. and along this Brandon un-
hesitatingly threaded his course.
When reaching the toe of this shoe
shaped retreat he gained an opening IN
the rocky wall where the curious path
way ended.
Entering within the dark recess be
| lighted a lantern and began to examine
| the place, which was in truth nearly
filed with such articles as he and his
confederates had concealed there, hop
ing to dispose of them at their leisure.
! 'Poor foolsr' he muttered, ''to think
| that shall run the risk of staying IN
these parts longer. Enough of those
valuables to make me independent and
| l am off this very night Hal ba! some
of this old wine will clear my head for
| the work before me-"
Speaking thus to himself, with an oc-
casional potation Of the liquor, he passed
|
treasures he wished to take away with
him. Then, with farewell look at the
balance of their plumber, he turned to
retrace his course.
Reaching the mouth of the cavern he
found that the moon had risen above
the line of the cliff so that its mellow
light fell full upon Horseshoe cove
lighting the place to almost midday
brilliancy.
Distinguishing the light, he was about
to step out on the rocky pathway when
he started back with low cry.
Upon the opposite wall of the cliff he
had discovered the shadowy outlines OF
man with one hand uplifted and
pointed toward him.
At first he thought the wine he had
drunk mad bewildered his brain and
that the image was but hallucinatlon
He rubbed his eyes and looked again
to find it still there, and after few
minutes he was forced to believe his
sight
"TIa! 1 seer he chuckled, "'tis some
one on the cliff and his shadow falls OF
the rock there. Perhaps It's one of the
officers lookin for me! But his shadow
IL. 1nn
gone before l venture out.
On account of a projecting rock ht
could not see the pathway from his Gov
ert, and he dared not leave the cave les'
he should be discovered and fired upoT
by his foes. Had he been armed Witt
other than katie he would have fell
less uneasy. AS it was he lay quie
waiting for the danger to pass.
The time wore tediously away whil
his gaze was riveted on the shadow!
form until his eyes became blurred an'
his limbs benumbed.
To his wonder the figure continuc'
motionless, though once or twice n
fancied there was q slight movement.
Several times he was upon the poin
of leaving the cave, trusting to escape
but be refrained from taking the risk.
1.-THE furies take 'emr he muttered
"they can shoot me down like do
without my lftin a finger
He chafed at his helpless position an,
blamed himself for coming again to tn
place, while, higher and higher, tn
great round moon stole up the dark blu
dome of night.
Still there was no visible change Il
shadow on the rock. In his bewildere'
; state he never realized that with tn
, ascent of the moon its shape would alte
and its position vary, or if he did give
a passing thought it only served to IN
tensify the mystery and increase hi
fears.
Vainly he waited for 1t to disappear
waited, until to his feverish vision
grew palmer in outline, until tn
, shadowy limbs seemed substantial, tn
body the rounded form of living be
ing!