The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-10-10
BY LEON LEWIS.
CHAPTER xy1.-rContinued.,

CHAPTER xvl.-fContinucd)
A second shot from the half-breed
Eave Perry q closer call than the first,
touching the outside Of his arm at the
elbow sufficient to draw blood.
He lost no time in responding, but his
action was wholly negatived by lurch
of the carriage, and such proved to be
the case with his next shot
! A second saddle was emptied by hts
fourth ball, however, and this time II
was the halt-breed who "bit the dust,
much to the satisfaction OF the fugi.
tives.
aThat's good, so far as 1t goes, NUT
tered Perry, with reassurtng glance at
his betrothed. "But this initial mis-:
fortune only makes the rufians all the
more resolute."
Such, indeed, was the case
Another tall and burly man had taken
the lead, and was encouraging his asso-
ciates by word and gesture. ..
= ~That's the chap who gave Colonel
Whipsaw and myself 80 much to think
Df yesterdsy," remarked Baker: II
think he's connection of Gsddler's In
any case he's worthy Of his master"
He finished with cry OF dismay, 70
marking that one Of his horses had
stepped into hole and given itself such
q severe wrench that it was going quite
lame. .- 60 s'A.s.Ee - .'
A glance at the animal caused Perry
to echo Bakers cry Of regret, eut the
incident was now too closely pressed by
other hints Of disaster for him TO Inger
upon it. .-..
The new leader Of the pursuers was
straining every nerve to overtake the
carriage, and several Of his associates
made every effort to keep him company,
reserving their fire until nearer, and
they were now within dozen rods OF
The fugitives. ,
This was the moment for which Perry
had waited with grim and dogged pur-
pose.
Suddenly taking the offensive, he emp
tied his three rifles in rapid succession,
needless Of the return fire, bringing
down the new leader and ct least one OF
his comrades.
A howl Of consternation arose from
the enemy at this result, but 1t was met
by furious yell from Gaddler, who bad
recovered his senses. - -.-.'.s. -.
sCome onI" he shouted. @Don't mind
me- Shoot them down, all Of them.
Don't let one Of them escape. Lively!'
Nothing could have been more inspir-
lting than these cries at that moment
With yell in response, the .pursuers
came ON with redoubled fury. -,
A moment later second cry OF dis
may came from Baker.
sThere's draw just ahead" he cried,
springing to his feet and looking In the
direction indicated, unmindful OF the
mark he was presenting. GAh, I see Q
gap which may enable Us to pass It
Shall try, Perry?"
anything that offers chance"
Baker changed his course enough to
enter the draw almost longitudinslly,
but the agap" was snare, being full OF
rocks, and the draw was veritable
gully, so that his next cry was one OF
terror. =
}. aHold fast an of YOU he shouted
The ditch is q bad one
Too late he saw that 1t was out OF the
question to pass it safely in any such
way or at any such gait, and made q
desperate attempt to hold up his horses
but the wild yell that came from the
pursuers at this moment negatived his
efforts, and the next instant horses and
carriage, occupants and all, crashed Into
one mass in the fatal abyss. - -"
While warning all to hold fast, Baker
had taken good care to practice what he
preached, and the result was that the
two imperiled men arose uninjured from
the wreck Of their carriage .,..., -.
Despite all his efforts to save Ellie
Dawn hod tho
pain of seeing that she had received q
shock which rendered her unconscious,
and for moment he even feared for her
life. e. ..... ... -. 1922 ....
That moment was fateful one, as II
proved, Sam Gaddler having been re-
leased from his bonds by his tumble Into
the gully, and having promptly gained
his feet uninjured.
furious gestures; 1but take good care
not to harm them!"
The order was obeyed by the time
Mrs Cotter and Mrs. Rsnkle had been
released from the wreck Of the vehicle,
eight or. ten rifles covering the fugitives,
and then Gaddler added, addressing
Perry Wynsns:
IYou see that fate has played you 8
bad turn, sir. VIII you continue the
Eight longer, or will you surrender al
discretion?"
One glance at the pale face Of his be
trothed and at his surroundings wa:
enough for Perry. He realized only tot
we'll how anxious Gaddler was to gtvt
his men an order to fire upon him, and
he FASTENED to reply:
sOf course, I am not fool enough Il
scontinne the fight under these circum
stances As you suggest. wa age aSail