The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-11-21

tion.
It inspired him to think beyond the
present A prisoner, he would be help
less to aid her Free, he might yet out
wit his foes
He surprised savages and renegades
alike by sudden movement They ad-
judged him thoroughly baf1ed and de-
feated victim. They were therefore
totally unprepared for the desperate
rush he abruptly made
Courage, 1nez! you shall yet be
rescued" he shouted.
Then he sprang forward, overturning
two Of the savages and darting straight
in, the direction OF the horses OF the
camp.
The outlaws did not follow him, but
the group of excited, yelling Indians
started in hot pursuit
Inez stood clasping her hands in ter
ror.
aOh! they will capture and kill him."
she cried.
Despard laughed hoarsely
"Ha! In love, eh?"
She flushed in indignant resentment
at Despard's coarse tones.
Coward! Assassin" she breathed, her
eyes flashing adherence and q ersion
upon her dreaded captor.
"There will be one less lover in few
moments" continued Despard. "Gfrl,
you struggle vainly to escape my power.
/ nave too many friends and allies.
aSee here, Captain!"
Vance had touched the outlaws arm.
@Welln" inquired Despard.
awe are wasting valuable time here
"That's true Let US move at once.
We can take advantage Of the confusion
to leave the camp"
"Shall / get the horses?"
ayes; and bring them to the river be-
yond the camp. Co ahead; III meet you
there. You come with me"
Dyke Despard make no pretense of
gentleness as he seized Inez's arm
roughly. He forced her to accompany.
him away from the Modoc camp.
At a thicket near the river he paused
to await the arrival Of his accomplice,
Vance. His eyes glowed with the malico
and triumph of villain as he noted
Inez's deep distress.
He was angry and jealous at his dis
covery of her evident preference for
rival.
aGirl," he hissed, as he bent toward
her, "if you are listening for some token
of your lovers escape, abandon the
thought"
Inez was silent and dropped her eyes
to veil their evident expression. OF
anxiety for the fate Of the man she had
learned to love within the past few
hours.
HE is doomed" continued the merci-
less Despard. sEvea II he eluded cap
ture for brief time, he would soon be
found Then the srske-the torture"
Inez shuddered at his heart!ess words.
IF you want to be sensible" pursued
Despard, syou will save yourself and
others trouble. 1t will be wise for you
II we understand each other perfectly
now."
II understand you only too well, mis-
creant," cried Inez.
aHard words will not help your case
any," replied Despard.
&No name is too hard for your cruel
natures
aYou will soon change your tactics,
my girl, if I'm not mistaken" remarked
Despard, menacingly. @You are COM
pletely in my power. In few moments
we leave the Indian camp. Do you know
where we are going?"
Inez did not deign to reply.
II am going to take you to a retreat
so safe and isolated that no friend will
ever penetrate to it-of which even the
savages are in ignorance. Between it
and civilization is safe barrier Of saw
age hordes, friendly to my designs.
Trusty friends and strong walls Of rock
surround me. There you will be my
prisoner-secure, With no hope OF escape
There you will be my Wife"
@Never!"
Despard laughed confidently.
ave shall see" he taunted. "Oh, you
will soon tire of playing the indignant
role. Do you hear that?"
Vengeful, triumphant cries from the
direction Of the Moioc camp told the
anxious Inez that her w4st fears were
confirmed
They seemed to announce that her
brave protector, Darrell Grey, had fallen
a prisoner into the hands of his murder
Gus foes
She buried her face in her hands in
mute anguish, while Despard peered
from the thicket, as two savages, su-
perbly mounted, dashed by toward the
camp
A minute later Vance appeared. He
was riding horse and leading two 9TH
erS.
"Quick! we had better start at once, "
he said.
Inez knew that it was useless to strug-
gle against her powerful foes, and was
soon in the srddle.
Despard retained hold OF the check
rein Of the horse she rode. Vance
kept close to the other side OF the steed.
aThe camp moves SOUTH" remarked
the latter, as they proceeded on their
way.
@When?"
aAt once. Two messengers from
Shadow Snake just arrived after them"
sand the pretended Indlan-tho lover
Of this girl here9" queried Despard
"Ho is captured, and the Modoes Will
celebrate their departure from the camp
by burning q victim as the stake"
A hollow moan issued from Inez Ira.
cey's lips. She rode on, her head buried
on her breast, her mind agonized ns she
pictured the Bufforings OF her brave res
cuer.
The hcartless Vance had indeed told
the truth when he affirmed that Darrell
Grey was again prisoner OF the Modocs.
When the young scout had dashed
away from his savage foes, he hurried
toward the horses He felt assured II
he reached there he could secure stood
and escape.
The warning cries of his pursuers,
however, attracted the attention Of 9TH
ers in the camp.
The Modocs came rushing from every