The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-05
scout IN the light Of the lantern, glowed

scout in the light Of the lantern, glowed
only with emotions Of gladness.
The guard, adopting q stealthy,
crouching movement, began to step
gradually toward the apartment.
Ranger Ralph's attention was divided
between him and Inez He saw that
the outlaw was too thoroughly engrossed
in watching the inmates Of the apart
ment to pay any attention to him. eau.
tiously, therefore, the scout began to
steal after him.
A few steps enabled him to gain
complete view Of the interior of the cave.
He came to dead stop with sheer sur
prise as he saw the cause Of the girls
emotion.
"Darrel Grey!" he muttered under his
breath.
1t was indeed the young scout
AS the reader will remember, after he
left White Fawn he had penetrated to
the cave of the outlaws from the in
closed valley into which he had fallen.
When Despard had removed 1nez to
the cave, Darrell had reached q spot
where huge rock blocked up the en-
trance to the apartment For over an
hour he sought to push this barrier
away and at last he had succeeded
It was his entrance that had 80
startled the captive maiden.
aInez!" he cried, and sprang toward
her with outstretched arms.
In the first impulse and rapture OF
love and joy 1nez had glided to greet
him. A modest flush surmounted her
brow, and she paused, trembling and
confused. as he seized her hand fervently.
son, Darrel-Mr: Grey! You have
come to rescue me-"
eyes. But we must not delay"
There is way Of escape?"
GBy the way came, yes. Ha! What
Is that?"
Darrell drew the startled Inez closer to
his side and recoiled quickly as he dis
covered the guard.
The latter had moved into full view.
3Retreat toward the opening to the
valley" directed Darrell to his fair COM
panion.
sHold!"
The guard leveled his revolver as he
spoke. Evidently he recognized Darrell
as an intruder and an enemy.
The latter was entirely unarmed, the
savages having taken his firearms from
him when they tied him to the stake at
the Pueblo River encampment
Inez had nearly reached the aperture
In the WALL when the guard raised his
revolver.
Ranger Ralph had taken in the scene
at glance, and resolved to act quickly,
as he discerned the peril of his young
friend Darrell Grey. go.
wal n So I'D ho fofrlU 11nnO
the guard. Too late, however, to pre-
vent the shot the latter had directed at
Darrell -g
The bullet sped wide Of its mark.
The report of the pistol, however, awoke
all the silent echoes Of the :.
With one blow the old scout felled the
guard insensible to the floor OF the cave.
Then, springing over his prostrate form,
he seized the revolver that had fallen
from his grasp.
Darrell Grey recognized him with q
joyful cry.
Granger Ralph!n he calculated
Inez glanced with quick interest at the
man she knew to be her fathers old
time friend and her own.
, The scout glanced back at the corridor
with an alarmed face, as he heard new
commotion. Two men had come sud-
denly into view. Ranger Ralph OWNED
in flash that they had been compan-
ions of the guard ..
Doubtless they had been sleeping in
the embrasure in the corridor. and he
had not noticed them. The shot had
aroused them, and as they entered the
apartment they ycomprehendeu the situa
tion at q glance. -.
sFlyln ordered the scout to Darrell and
Inez.
"But the outlaws will be aroused
VI will hold these two at bay, and
cover your escape"
Ito BE CoNTNUED.l