The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-10-24

their horses were tethered, as II tmpar
tient to get away.
The sounds Of firing increased in the
neighborhood Of the train.
Then q mans figure came flying to-
ward the spot. Danton advanced to
meet it.
4Despard9" he called
sYes.n
aOur men!"
"The trainmeD have resisted, and we
are beaten badly. There is no time to
lose: to the horses!"
aAnd the girl?"
@We must get her away at once"
"Despard! You here?"
Unawares the girl had come upon
them. They could see her shrink in
Rmazement and alarm, as she viewed
the evil face of the leader Of the band.
He uttered cry Of dissatisfaction and
annoyance at the incident
EYES," he said; ut is l."
sYou are the friend who sent yonder
man to me?" demanded Inez Tracey.
@Yes. You are not safe here. You
must go with me-
GNever!"
Inez drew back with indignant face
and flashing eyes. Despard abandoned
all gentleness of manner, as he realized
the peril Of delay. He sprang forward
and clutched her wrist in an iron grasp.
sGlrl, :" he hissed, there need be no
deception between you and mel"
Coward! release my hand. will
call for help. wish to return to the
train"
Bring the horses, quick!" commanded
Despard to Danton.
Inez Tracey struggled vainly in the
powerful grasp Of the outlaw.
SYou are in my power at last" he
Kissed. II told you we should meet
again when you last rejected me with
scorn. To secure you, Inez Tracey, we
wrecked yonder train"
sAssassinl Villain!"
sYou will come with me whether you
choose or not Quick, Danton!" he
shouted excitedly to his companion, as
the firing was repeated in the vicinity OF
the train. O..
sYou coward, take that!"
As Inez Tracey uttered loud cry for
help form sprang from the thicket
Dyke Despard released his grasp OF
It was Darrell Grey.
He had managed to retain his hold on
the tie to which he had fallen on the
trestle, and the train had passed over
him, leaving him unharmed.
fastening towards the scene Of the
accident, he happened to come to the
very spot where Inez Tracey was strug-
Cling in the grasp of Dyke Darrell.
The outlaws words revealed his COM
plicity in the crime Of train-wrecking,
and the fact that helpless girl was in
his power awakened all the chivalry OF
Darrell Grey's generous nature.
It was he who, acting on quick I'm
pulse, had stepped forward, and with.a
single blow of his fist sent Despard reel
ing to the ground.
Inez, Mortified and bewildered at all
the fast-occurring episodes Of the night,
had sought safety in immediate flight.
She had started to hurry back to the
train when she saw that desperate en-
counter between the wreckers and the
trainmen was in progress, and darted of
in an opposite direction. ...
Danton observed her flight He sprang
from the thicket where the horses were
to intercept her.
Darrell Grey did not wait to meet the
baffled Despard, but as he discovered
the girls dilemma, dashed after her.
He caught Danton by the throat and
flung him to the ground.
Inez recognized him as protector.
sQuick!" she said, wildly; @let US fyl"
sWhy should we fly? Do not be
alarmed; these men shall not injure
you"
@You do not know" cried Inez, ex-
citedly; "these men have associates.
See! They will pursue u.s. Do not put
yourself in peril for my sake"
He needed her frantic pleadings and
allowed her to lead him beyond the
thicket. Two shots fred by Despard
caused him to hasten his flight for the
imperiled girls sake.
He started as he heard quick, shrill
whistle. Undoubtedly it was q signal
fromsDespard to his band.
They crossed the thicket and gained
the open plain beyond.
Darrell Grey was q rapid thinker and
acted quite as rapidly. There was no
safety guaranteed at the depot for the
bandits might go thither.
They could not regain the train with
out meeting the outlaws.
Dyke Despard seemed determined to
secure the girl at all hazards. Only in
immediate and rapid fight was there
safety.
4ancing back, Darrell saw Despard
and Danton securing horses to pursue
them. The girl had kept close to his
side, and kept urging him to hasten his
fight
Darrell paused as he saw, plainly re-
vealed in the moonlight, the two horses
which belonged to Ranger Ralph. Des-
pard's man Vance had cut them loose,
and neither had saddle or bride. From
the neck of one Of them, however, q
long lariat trailed on the ground Darrell
stole cautiously forward. The horses,
mettled steeds and easily startled, sprang
away. Darrell Grey seized the trailing
lariat in time to prevent one Of the
horses from escaping.
He brought the animal TO its launches,
and then, reaching for its name, sprang
upon its back.
sFollow me! Keep close to mel" be
shouted excitedly to the girl.
Darrell Grey was an expert horseman.
As the steed beneath him dashed for
ward he unloosed the lariat.
Quickly forming loop he urged for
ward the horse until 1t nearly overlook
the free steed. Then he flung the lasso
with unerring accuracy. It fell over the
hoad of the flying horse. Both came to
halt and stood trembling in every
limb, owning tacitly, mutely, the su-
premacy of master.
Inez had watched these maneuvers