The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-19

THE HOUSE IN THE AIR
aPowder!" calculated Ranger Ralph,
as the hermit hurried him from the
spot. . ..
sExactly. The Indians would have
overtaken rs, and we had to cut of our
retreat" -.
slave we done it?"
sWait and see."
The corridor they were pursuing came
to an end at last 1t terminated at Q
shelf of rocks overlooking little ra-
vine that was branch of the main
canyon. ,.. s..... .....
So precipitous was the descent, and so
frail the area Of the rock they had
reached, that the scout looked dismayed.
II see no way Of escape" he re-
marked.
@Wait."
Both stood silent for some moments.
Suddenly there was deafening explo-
sion.
aThe powders ~.
y. Eyes" .. III. ...
aYou believe it will block up our re.
treat?"
II am sure of it. .....
sand now how are we going to leave
here?" F.. ...
aLook out and see."
Ranger Ralph advanced to the edge OF
the rock. He uttered cry Of interest
and delight as his eyes met curious
spectacle.
From the rock dead tree ran like
bridge across to high perpendicular
column Of rock. Twenty feet beyond
this was another rock.
Between the two, held firmly in place,
was q rude, dilapidated hut formed OF
logs.
aThat is my retreat" said Walford.
"And a safe and strange place 1t is"
remarked the scout 3But how did that
house ever come there?"
alt was built by me ten years ago,
when the two rocks were one"
II understand. q. ..-.
@Gradually they crumbled away"
"Andleft tho house between them?"
Exactly"
as it safe?"
@For the present, yes. Some day It
will 70 crashing down. Cross over on
the tree"
A few minutes later they had reached
the first rocks. Thence thay gained
admittance to the hut Itwas singular
place, indeed. .....
From the window they could look for
many miles down the ravine. Beneath
them was an open space for many hun
dred feet The hut seemed tightly
wedged in between the two rocks.
"What do you intend to do?D asked the
scout, after careful survey OF the
strange surroundings.
Remain here for while
@Until the Indians 20 away?'
HYes."
1But the girl?" .a ..... .'
HWo will think about that later. We
can do nothing by precipitate action"
@You saw the Indian girl?" asked the
scout -.' .--
aI saw quick form dart through the
cave and secure the diamonds, yes"
at was White Fawn."
"And Oh enemy-one Of the Modoc
spies?" ed
mo, a friend"
"She has disappeared $780,.
@But she will return the diamonds"
And Ranger Ralph related what he
knew Of the Indian princess
cussed tho situation. 1t was just COM
luS Ou "u0u Uuo oCouU udp>
pened to glance from the window.
3Look!" he said.
The hermit haStened to his side. The
valley below them was filled with Indi-
ans
They could see that the savages were
about to camp in the ravine for the
night. Among them the scout made out
the girl prisoner, Inez Tracey.
"See," he said, @the girl is safe"
ayes, and we will rescue her II they
remain for the night Too late! We are
discovered"
Both men drew back from the window
hastily. Evidently they had been seen
by some OF the Indians in the valley be-
low. They could see them point TO the
strange house in the rocks Then several
shots were fired at them.
II am sorry they saw u.s." remarked
Walford.
@Thay cannot injure US"
PERHAPS not; but they will try to dis
lodge u.s."
"They are trying it already, cried
Ranger Ralph excitedly.
"What do you mean?"
"Look yonder"
"At the tree'bridge?"
sYes."
A cry Of alarm parted the hermit's
lips. On the shelving rock were several
Indians just about to cross the tree
bridge that led to the strange house in
the air.
CHAPTER XXI.
NIGHT ADVENTURES.
The attention of the two bordermen
was now entirely centered upon the tree
that had crossed the ravine.
At exactly the place whence the scout
had first seen the house in the air, sew