The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-01-29

GU re u ludu 10 pS prOuu Oh, TIC Sdlu'
"There are not many who would come
to share our danger and our troubles"
You've hit it there, pard, the young
hunter answered. II have respect
for you, but if you were alone in this
business I'd think twice before put
my head into such u hornets nest.
It's Lucy that brings me here, and be-
fore harm comes on her guess there
will be one less o. the Hope family in
Utah"
"lVhat are we to do?"
"To-morow is your last dey, and un.
less you act tonight you are lost, l
have mule and two horses waiting in
the Eagle ravine. How much money
have you?"
1.-TWO thousand dollars in gold, and
five in notes"
That will do. Ihave as much more to
add to it. Wemust push for Carson City
through the mountains You had best
wake Lucy. 1t is as well that the serv-
ants do not sleep in the house"
While Ferrier was absent preparing
his daughter for the approaching jour
ney, Jefferson Hope packed all the eat
ables that he could find into small
parcel, and filed a stoneware jar with
water, for he knew by experience that
the mountain wells were few and far
between. He had hardly completed
his arrangements before the farmer re.
turned with his daughter all dressed
and ready for start. The greeting
between the lovers was warm but brief,
for minutes were precious, and there
was much to be done.
I'VE must make our start at once"
said Jefferson Hope, speaking in low
but resolute voice, like one who
realizes the greatness of the peril, but
has steeled his heart to meet it. THE
front and back entrances are watched,
bat with caution we may get away
through the side window and across
the fields. Once on the road, we are
only two miles from the ravine where
the horses are waiting. BY daybreals
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 u.s." 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
ut has ruined fortunes All looked SC
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
cornheld. 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 n lynx. He and his friends ha,
hardly crouched down before the mel
ancholy hooting of a mountain ow
was heard within few yards Of them
which was Immediately answered by
another hoot at small distance. A
the same moment u vague, shadow,
figure emerged from the gap for which
they had been making, and uttered tn,
plaintive signal cry again, on which ;
second man appeared out of the OBJ
scurity.
Tomorrow at midnight" said the
first, who appeared to be in authority
"When the whippoorwill calls thre,
times"
ut is we'll" returned the other
"Shall tell Brother Drebber?"
Pass it on to him, and from him t,
the others. Nine to seven"
"Seven to fvel" repeated the other
and the two figures fitted away il
different directions. Their concluding
words had evidently been some form o
sign and countersign. The instan
that their footsteps had died away il
the distance, Jefferson Hope sprang t.
his feet, and, helping his companions
through the gap, led the way acros
the fields at full speed, supporting ant
half-carrying the girl when hei
strength appeared to fail her.
Hurry onl hurry on" he gaspet
from time to time. "We are through
the line of sentinels. Everything de
pends on speed. Hurry onl'
Once ON the high-road they made
rapid progress. Only once did thel
meet anyone, and then they managed t,
slip into field and so avoid recogni
ton. Before reaching the town tn,
hunter branched away into a rugged
and narrow footpath which led to Tho
mountains. Two dark, jagged peak
looned above them through the dark
ness, and the defile which led between
them was the Eagle canyon in whicl
the horses were awaiting them. Witt
unerI1ng instinct jefferson Hop,
picked his way among the grea
| Al. III Il . IL I