The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12
ROYAL RANGER RALPH;;:
The Waif Of the Western PrahieS.
BY WELDON ]. COBB.
CHAPTER Xvu-Continued.
-: Oh -

The latter sprang behind the bowlder
that had blocked the exit from the cave.
and which Darrell Gray had forced aside
In entering the place. 1t afforded
strong intrenchment for him, and he
had his enemies at decided disad-
vantage. -'
Asharp fussilade ensued, during which
one of the men, evidently wounded, re-
treated down the corridor with savage
howl Of pain. His companion followed
his example and beat hasty retreat
Ranger Ralph could hear them calling
for help to their companions In the main
outer cave
sThey have sounded the alarm and will
soon return with increased force, " de-
cided the old scout.
He watched at his post for some time,
abandoning it only when q wild commo-
tion arose in the corridor.
Armed men bearing torches came
rushing in pursuit Of the fugitives.
Among them the scout observed Des-
pard and Danton. He glided through
Che aperture leading to the outside, and
found himself in the same moonllt valley
into which Darrell Grey had fallen q feW
hours previously. ..,,
Darrell and Inez were nowhere In
sight, and the scout supposed that they
had succeeded in making their escape.
He therefore set about finding some way
himself to leave the valley.
The apparently inaccessible walls OF
the place made the task seem almost
hope ess one, however. His investiga--
tions were forced to be desultory and
brief, for in few minutes the outlaws
arrived on the scene. -
The scout had just time to safely en-
sconce himself in q small thicket, when
Despard and his men came into view.
Immediately the little inclosed valley
was the scene of the widest excitement.
The men, with torches torne alo1t'
secured every portion OF the place.
A shout Of triumph thrilled the scout.
aud minute later he saw several OF the
bandits emerge from q smaller cave,
where they had found Darrel and lnez.
In the glare of the lights Ranger
Ralph. could discern the pale, distressed
face Of Darrell and the despairing one OF
tnez. With exultant cries the bandits
bore their prisoners to the spot where
Despsrd was :,
aRemove the girl to the cabin and
guard her until morning." ordered the
bandit leader aAs to him." and he In
dicated Darrell fiercely, she has crossed
our path once too often. Ge shall die"
sNo, mol" pleaded Inez, frantically;
but she was borne away with her appeal
ing words unheeded.
Ranger Ralph could scarcely contain
himself and he grasped his revolVers.
grimly. Despard, Danton and seVeral
81 the men were standing near him, but
he realized that it would be folly to
attempt to fight against: such uneven
odds. ..l ...
aThere was another of them," he
heard q voice say excitedly.
sHa!D calculated Despard. @Who?"
His informant was one of the guards.
"a man dressed like half breed
Despard started violently.
9He was friendly to the girl and the
prisoner?" he asked. $50
80 sYss.n '-.s. 49,. ...... .....
@Then he was no half-breed at all.
Danton, we have been deceived.
aBy Tallula?" ..s ...
Exactly"
aYou think he is no messenger from
the Modocs?" s.t'
aThats it." '.t.a.
@Who is he. then?" ' 81.
"A spy-a friend to the girl" .....
@Ranger Ralph, probably"
& aPerhaps Boys, search the valley
thoroughly. He cannot have escaped,
called Despard to the men. '''+
q The bandits at once began a sys-
3 tematic scour o. the valley. From his
covert the scout could see Despard and
Danton and several Of the men return to
the cave.
The outlaw chief repaired at once to
the log house on the cliff where the dis
Ruised scout had been led by Vance. 49,
Inez, weeping, was seated in the room.
Despard, fierce glitter in his eyes, ap-
preached her at once ~
@Girl," he said, II have few words
70 say to you" g...- ..
Ines did not reply, but continued to
sob bitterly.
sYou ars entirely in my power" re-
sumed Despard, sand neither you nor
your friends can defeat my plans You
must become my wife.
Despard's words aroused all the re-
sentful womanliness in Inez's nature.
She started wildly to her feet. her eyes
flashing, her face pale and defiant
@Never!" she cried.
Her firm reply did not appear to dis.
turb her captor. .
sThere is no escape" he continued
calmly.
II will die 6rst!" ......
aNo; You will obey me. You will not
only become my wife but you will also
do as i tell you regarding the fortune
your father has left you"
3Take that fortune, then. Release
5 my friends and myself, and It is yours
sNo, my fair Jnez," jeered Despard.
sYour charms have fascinated me, and
shall wed you. As to the fortune, that
: Is in the hands Of q man named Wal
ford. You will visit him with me to.
morrow morning. You will tell him
that am your legally welded husband,
. and induce him to turn over your for
tune to me. Then you will accompany
me to some distant country and become
my wife,"
Inez listened silently until Despard
had concluded
~And If refusc?" she demanded.
Despard came step nearer to her.
There was a fierce glitter in his evil eye.
sShall tell You?" he hissed
&Yes"
aThe man you love, Darrell Grey. shall
die!"
With a cry Of dread dismay Inez
Tracey recoiied.
At that moment there was an inter
ruption. One of the outlaws came rush
ing, excited and breathless, into the
room.
aCaptsin!" he cried, 1--WE have found
the balflbreed!"