The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-10-31


travelling cautiously for some miles, they
came out on plateau. A mile beyond
them the lights Of q village showed
plainly.
miners Gulch, at last!" remarked
Darrell.
They descended toward the segtIe.
mcnt, but paused as at the edge OF On
intervening thicket they heard human
voices in the distance.
"Reman here for few minutes"
spoke Darrell. alt may be our enemies
yonder."
He penetrated the thicket by wide
detour and reconnoitered for some time.
Despard and Dantop were. conversing
near large tree, while their two com.
rades were at some distance. Sheltered
by the darkness and the dense foliage,
Darrell could distinctly overhear their
conversation.
ave had better leave here at once, 1"
Despard was saying. ave lost two OF
our men at the train, but the girls fate
is settled"
ayes, that is certain"
awe have learned one disastrous fact,
however, our worst enemy has escaped"
Ranger Ralph"
aEaactly He is at the village yonder,
wounded but ready to give US, trouble as
soon as he RECEIVERS. We will get the
horses and leave. Then for the fortune
tn which 7 am nnw anla h-ir Wa arc
Ranger Rube's two horses ahead any.
way"
Darrell crept from the spot at these
words. He reached q place minute
L. <o, csv
of them he recognized as the same ones
that had borne Irez and himself to
safety. The bandits had evidently
found them in the canyon. Darrell Sc
cured them and began to lead them
toward the spot where he had left lnez
by a circuitous route. Suddenly he
started
A wild scream Of a'arm echoed
through the silence of the scene.
"Her voice! She is in trouble again.
Oh, why did I leave her!" calculated
Darrell, wildly.
He urged forward the horses, having
lost much time in endeavoring to evade
the outlaws
He reached the spot where he had left
Inez
She was gone!
His eye swept the scene beyond tho
thicket. Some distance away he made
out body of horsemen driving rapidly
toward the hills.
From their midst a second scream for
help confirmed Darrel's worst fears.
Inez Tracey was again q prisoner in the
hands OF her enemies.
For moment he determined to start
in immediate pursuit As he realized
his unarmed condition, however, he saw
the folly of such an undertaking.
II will hasten to the village yonder, 1"
he decided; secure help, and start in
immediate pursuit Of those scoundrels. 1"
Leading one horse and riding the
other, Darrell Grey hastened towards the
settlement He did not pause until he
had reached tavern before which stood
a dozen men excitedly discussing some
event, evidently of recent occurrence.
He caught the words strain wreckers"
and 3Ranger Ralph" several times.
sHello, there!" he cried, without dis
mounting. "Can I speak to some OF
you?"
His intention was to arouse the men
he could speak, however, one OF the men
sprsng to the head Of the horses and
seized the bride.
sWhere did you get those horses?" he
demanded, gruf1y.
II found them"
sYou did, eh? Boys, our game has
come into camp by mistake"
"What do you mean?" demanded the
astonished Darrell
sYou know we'll enough. Down with
him, boys. Here's case for Judge
Lynch, for these are Ranger Ralph's
horses, and this man is one Of the train
wreckers.t"
without being able to speak word in
defense amid the angry, excited crowd,
Darrell Grey was dragged to the nearest
tree.
"A ropel A rope!" shouted the leader
Of the throng
zone moment! You are making q
terrible mistake. am no thief or train
aoh, no, Of course notl" jeered the
crowd.
aSend for Ranger Ralph. He is here.
Ask him if he knows me-"
aHe is wounded-dying, for all we
know. He's one Of them, boys. Hos
the very man the depot agent de-
Bcribed."
Amid that mad, unreasonable crowd
Darrell Grey struggled vainly. 1t seemed
all some terrible dream as the rope en-
circled his neck and was thrown over the
limb Of tree.
sup with him, boys!" shouted the
leader Of the men.
The next moment with choking,
blinded sensation, Darrell Grey felt him
self dangling between heaven and earth.