Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1894-03-23

only TWO miles from the raVlne where
the horses are waiting. BY daybreal5
we should be half way through the
mountains"
What if we are stopped?' asked
Ferrier.
Hope slapped the revolver butt which
protruded from the front of his tunic.
''If they are too many for US we shall
take two or three of them with us" he
said with sinister smile.
The lights inside the house had all
been extinguished, and from the dark
ened window Ferrier peered over the
fields which had been his own, and
which he was now about to aban-
don forever. He had long nerved him
self to the sacrifice, however. and the
thought of the honor and happiness
of his daughter outweighed any regret
at his ruined fortunes. All looked so
peaceful and happy, the rustling trees
and the broad, silent stretch of grain
land, that it was difficult to realize
that the spirit of murder lurked
through it all. Yet the white face and
set expression of the young hunter
showed that in his approach to the
house he had seen enough to satisfy
him upon that head.
Ferrier carried the bag of gold and
notes, jefferson Hope had the scanty
provisions and water, while Lucy had
the small bundle containing few of
her more valued possessions. Opening
the window very slowly and carefully,
they waited until dark cloud had
somewhat obscured the night, and
then one by one passed through into
the little garden. With bated breath
and crouching figures they stumbled
across it and gained the shelter of the
hedge, which they skirted until they
came to the gap which opened into the
cornfield. They had just reached this
point when the young man seized his
two companions and dragged them
down into the shadow. where they lay
silent and trembling.
1t was as well that his prairie train
ing had given Jefferson Hope the ears
of a lynx He and his friends hat
hardly crouched down before the mel
ancholy hooting of mountain owl
was heard within few yards of them,
which was Immediately answered by
another hoot at small distance. Al
the same moment a vague, shadowJ
figure emerged from the gap for which
they had been making, and uttered the
plaintive signal cry again, on which a
second Ian appeared out of the OBJ
scurity.
Tomorrow at midnight" said the
first, who appeared to be in authority
when the whippoorwin calls three
times"
ut is we'll" returned the other.
"Shall / tell Brother Drebber?"
pass it on to him, and from him tc
the others. Nine to sevenr
"Seven to fve!' repeated the other.
and the two figures fitted away in
different directions. Their concluding
words had evidently beep some form Of
sign and countersign. The instant
that their footsteps had died away in
the distance, jefferson Hope sprang to
his feet, and, helping his companions
the fields at full speed, supporting and
half-carrying the girl when her
strength appeared to fail her.
Hurry onl hurry onr' he gasped
from time to time. 1--WE are through
the line of sentinels. Everything de-
pends on speed. Hurry on!'
Once on the high-road they made
rapid progress. Only once did they
meet anyone, and then they managed to
slip into field and so avoid recogni
tion. Before reaching the town the
hunter branched away into a rugged
and narrow footpath which led to the
mountains. Two dark, jagged peaks
loomed above them through the dark.
them was the Eagle canyon in which
the horses were awaiting them. With
unerring instinct jefferson Hope
picked his way among the great
powders and along the bed of dried
up water-course, until he came to the
retired corner, screened with rocks,
where the faithful animals had been
picketed. The girl was placed upon
the mule, and old Ferrier upon one of
the horses, with his money-bag, while
Jefferson Hope led the other along the
precipitous and dangerous paths.
1t was bewildering route for any.
one who was not accustomed to face
Nature in her widest moods. On the
thousand feet or more, black, stern and
menacing, with long basaltic columns
upon its rugged surface like the ribs
of some petrified monster. On the
other hand wild chaos of powders
and debris made all advance impossi-
bic. Between the two ran the irregu-
lar track, so narrow in places that
they had to travel in Indian file, and SO
rough that only practiced riders could
have traversed it at all Yet, in spite
of all dangers and difficulties, the hearts
of the fugitives were light within them,
for every step increased the distance
between them and the terrible despot-
ism from which they were flying.
They soon had proof, however,
that they were still in the jurisdiction
of the Saints. They had reached the
very widest and most desolate portion
of the pass when the girl gave
startled cry and pointed upward On
n rock which overlooked the track,
showing out dark and plain against
the sky, there stood a solitary sentinel.
He saw them as soon as they perceived
him, and his military challenge of
"Who goes there?" rang through the
silent ravine.
Travellers for Nevada" said JEFF
ferson Hope, with his hand upon the
rifle which hung by his saddle.
They could see the lonely watcher
lingering his gun, and peering down
at them as if dissatisfied with their re-
ply.
by whose permission?" he asked.
THE Holy Four" answered Ferrier.
His Mormon experiences had taught
him that that was the highest authority
to which he could refer.
Mine from seven," cried the senti-
mel.
''Seven from five," returned Jeffer-
son Hope promptly, remembering the
countersign which he had heard in the
garden.
pass, and the Lord go with you,"
said the voice from above. Beyond
this post the path broadened out, and
the horses were able to break into
trot. Looking back, they could see
the solitary watcher leaning upon his
gun, and knew that they had passed
the outlying post of the chosen people,
and that freedom lay before them.
fro BE Continued
street Car Amenities.
81 would get up and give you my
seat, miss" said the jolly-faced man in
the crowded street car, but | don't