Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-01


That night has long been remembered in
Harvey's Sluice. A ft;ul breeze was sweeping
down from the distant mountains. moaning and
signing among the deserted claims. A great
loneliness seemed to rest on the face Of nature.
Men remarked afterward on the strange eerie
atmosphere which hung over the little town.
1t IVES In the darkness that Abe burton sailed
ont from his little shanty His partner. Boss
Morgan. was still absent in the bush, so that,
beyond the evec-watchsul Blinky, there was no
living being TO observe his movements. A
feeling OF mild surprise filed his simple soul
that his angels delicate fingers had formed
those great struggling hieroglyrhics; however,
there was the name at the foot and that was
enough for him. She wanted him no matter
for what and with heart "a pure and as heroic
AS any knight Grant, this rough miner went
forth at the summons OF his love.
He CROPPED his way up the steep winding
track wn;cn led TO Azalea Villa. The miner
paused under the shade of the trees and then
moved on to che garden gate. There
was no one there. He WAS evidently
rather early. The moon was shining
brightly now, and the country round
was as clear as day. Abe looked past
the little villa at the road which ran like a white
winding streak over the brow OF the hill.
watcher behind could have seen his square ath-
letic figure standing out sharp and clear. Then
he gave a start il he mad been shot and stag
gered up against the little gate beside him.
ne uau hren something WHICH caused even
his sunburned face 10 become a shade psler as
he thought of the girl so near him. just at the
bend OF the road, not 200 yards away, be saw a
dark moving mass coming round the curve and
lost in the shadow of the hill. 1t was but for a
moment: yet in that moment the amck percep-
ton of the practiced woodman had realized the
whole situation. Ii was a band Of horsemen
bound for the villa. and what horsemen would
ride SO by night save the terror of the wood
Landslide dreaded rangers of the bush?
1t is true that on ordinary occasions Abe was
as sluggish in his intellect as he was heavy in
movements In the hour of danger. however,
he was as remarkable for cool elaboration as
for prompt and decisive action. As he adj
vaEced uD the garden he rapidly reckoned up
the chances against him. There were half
dozen of the assaiants. at the most moderate
computation, all desperate and fearless men.
The question was whether he could keep them
al bay for short time and prevent their fore
ing passa- into the house. We have already
mentioned that sentinels had been placed in the
main street of the town. Abe reckoned that
help would be at hand within ten minutes of
the firing of the first shot.
We're he inside the house he could confidently
reckon on holding mis- own for a longer period
than that Before he could rouse the sleepers
and gain admission. however. the rangers
would be upon him. He must content himself
with doing his utmost. At any rate he would
show Carrie that. if he could not talk to her. he
could at least die for her.
The road along which the rangers were COM
ing ended at a wooden gate opening into the
upper part of the assayers little garden. This
gate had high acacia hedge on either side OF
il. and opened into a short walk also lined by
impossible thorny walls. Abe knew the place
well. One resolute man might. he thought.
hold the passage for a few minutes until the
assailants broke through elsewhere and took
him in the rear. At any rate il was his best
chance. He passed the front door, but forbore
to give any alarm. Sinclair was an elderly
man. and would be OF little assistance in such
desperate struggle before him. and the
appearance of lights in the house would warn
the rangers of the resistance awaiting them.
Oh, for his partner. the Boss, for Chicago Bill
for any one of twenty gallant men who would
have come to his call and stood by him in such
quarrel! He turned into the narrow wooden
pathway. There was :he well-remembered
wooden gate and there, perched upon the gate.
languidly swinging his legs backward and for
ward and peering down the road in front of
him was Mr.. Jonn Morgan, the very man for
whom Abe had been longing from the bottom
of his heart. There short time for ex-
plantations. A few hurried words announced
that the Boss, returning from his little tour.
had come across the rangers riding on their
mission of darkness. and. overhesring their
destination. had managed by hard running and
knowledge of the country to arrive before
them. mo time to alarm any one. he ex-
planned, still painting from his exertions, must
stop them ourselves; not come for swag-come
for your girl Only over our bodies. Bones"
and with these few broken words the strangely
assorted friends shook hands. and looked low
the horses came down to them on the fragrant
breeze Of the woods.