The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-05

OF urging the paymaster to comply
with the outlaws demand. pledging
himself and his fathers fortune to make
good to the government every cent SO
sacrificed. His father could pay it four
times over and would rather sink his
last cent than that the faintest harm
should come TO those beloved children,
but the next moment Feeny's splendid
defiance had so thrilled him that he
could not frame the words he thought
10 speak, and yet hero was awful peril
close at hand. What right had he to
further jeopardize the life, the honor
of these, his fathers fondest treasures?
If 1t were only himself, he would
stay and fight it oct TO the bitter end.
But if the robbers could now be content
with the money alone and pledge safe
guard for the property, was it not his
duty, would it not be his fathers man
date were he there, to buy the safe and
contents from the agent of the general
government and pay the ransom levied?
But he little dreamed of the fury OF
revenge and hatred burning IN the
soul of Pasqual Morales. He little faith
Omed the treachery and cunning Of the
outlawed scoundrel. Even as he was
revolving these thoughts in his mind,
ever and again listening with new hope
for tho sound of rallying trumpet, tho
beat of rescuing hoofs, there rcsound-
ed through the night the sonorous and
ringing voice that SO short time be-
fore had called for the surrender of the
safe. Edward Harvey, we pledge safe
conduct for you, your sisters and your
party. Here is your wagon ready, your
team hitched in. Throw your arms out
of the door. Come forth as you please.
Put the senoritas in the wagon. Look
neither to the right nor left, but drive
away, and God be with you. We have
no quarrel with you and yours. We
war only with these soldiers who have
killed our chief"
Put yourself in his place. Death for
him, perhaps for them-dishouor any
way--was all they could look for if no
rescue came. Was it not his duty to
his parents, to his sisters, even to God,
to accept these terms-to withdraw his
little force? Why should ne be peril
ing such precious lives and names in
the defense of government official who
had been so wreckless as to part with
his guard and put himself and his funds
in such predicament? From the 9TH
or room, in which tho major now lay,
feebly moaning, no word of remon-
STRANGE came. Even in their extremity,
xIn .,yI,a~a ,f tA ,ov,f
would not urge that he stay and en-
counter further peril in their defense.
One of the drugged troopers was begin
ming to regain some atom Of sense, and
sitting up was miserably asking what
had happened, what was the matter
now.
"Go and douse water over your ID
worthless head, Mullan," he heard the
sergeant say. So Feeny was evidently
alert as ever and mast have heard the
proposition from without. At his feet,
huddled close to the floor where the
thick smoke was least distressing, Fan
nv and Ruth still clung to one another,
the latter trembling at the sound Of the
voice from without. But Fanny had
quickly, eagerly, raised her head to lis
ton. For a moment no reply was made.
Then came the impatient query: Har-
vey, do you hear? You have no time
to lose. You have but q minute In
which to answer"
Major" he burst forth ut last in an
agony of doubt, ''you hear what they
say, you see how / am fixed. If were
here alone, you would never need to ask
my services-I'd fight with you to the
bitter end-but think of my father, my
mother, if anything befall my sisters.
Can nothing be donei'
From the lips Of the stricken paymas-
ter there came only groan in reply.
II fear he cannot hold out long, Mr..
Harvey" muttered the clerk. "Idoubt
if no heard or understood you.
"Well, why not let them have the
safe if they'll guarantee that that is all
they want? How much have You there
feel sure my father would make it
good"
There's over s25, 900, Mr.. Harvey" :"
"Well, if it was only 25 cents, Mr..
Ned Harvey, all I've got to say is devil
wan of them would they get 80 long
as / could load shot or pull trigger.
Go You, if you will. Take the leddies
by all means if you think it safer, but
before I'd trust the wan sister 1 ever
had-God rest her soul---to the prom
ise of any such blackguard party as
this, I'd bury my knife in her throat. "
An awful stiffness followed Feeny's
words. For an instant there was nC
sound but quick beating hearts, the
mutterings and complainings Of poor
Mullan, staggering about in search of
his carbine, the quickened breath and
low moaning of poor old Plummer.
Then again came the loud hail from
without:
"Once more, Ned Harvey, will you
come out and be saved or stay there
and roast? Surrender now ard you're
all right; but, by the God of heaven,
if you refuse it's the last chance for you
or those you were fool enough to bring
here. Think for your sistels. man.