Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1894-08-17

men, who, still far OIL threw out empty
hands and shook their heads discourage
ingly.
why didn't ye bring him along'"
shouted Jarrett, grinning
But the men were worn out with their
long tramp over the hills. Tired and sleepy,
their sense of humor could not be counted
upon. One of them answered Jarrett's
question with a gesture-lips pursed, eye
brows raised and palms turned upward.
Another gave an inapprcciative grunt as
he passed on toward the prison. The third
stopped just long enough to deliver his
message
Say, Jarrett, warden says you're to
join him at the lower end of Pluto canyon.
You re to bring two guards with you and
to starts soon's Mr.. Franks comes back
from town to take charge"
"Thatll be in half an hour. All right. "
He nodded to the man, who passed on
YEARLY. Nov" he continued turning
to Paddock, do you really want to Gomez"
do ~
"Well take little lunch in a big hur-
ry, get our guns-Ill show you that new
one-and start
The sun was setting when they reached
Pluto canyon. They had seen no trace of
the warden camp, but as they began the
ascent of the ravine a man came out to
meet them. Paddock's heart beat madly
His desire for excitement and peril was
curiuusly confused with natural sympathy
for tie under man in the fight But the
stranger proved to be guard, stationed
there to direct the rc-cnforcements farther
up the canyon, whittier a clcw had guided
the warden and his party. So they pressed
on, leaving their horses in the man 5 care
at the foot of the ridge for the sides of
the mountain sloped stoeply. Cunversa-
ton became difficult as they climbed, and
they toiled on in silence till they had
reached the summit and found the party.
We've got him this time" were the
white haired warden's first words, his fine,
benevolent face glowing in triumph. y
camped on this very spot last night. Burns
and Davis are out now. If they don't find
him, you and I'll do the business, Jar
rett. ." He threw back his handsome head,
smiling pleasantly.
They threw themselves upon the ground
to rest, and the warden began to give to
the reporter the particulars of the escape.
He was interrupted by the arrival of the
two guards They had found nothing.
well, Jarrett, you, Wilson, Bennett
and this young fellow, if he wants to, como
along with me. They took the trail up
the mountain We'll just climb over the
hill yonder. On the other side the brush
is thick, with the trail toward Hatton 4,
ranch not far off. There wen find Gran
dali if I'm not much mistaken. "
soon they were ready. The wardens
enthusiasm had communicated itself to
his companions Jarrett examined his
new, long revolver lovingly for Gran
dali isn't the man to go back for life with
out a fight" Wilson and Bennett march
ed on grimly, watching every bush, and
Paddock followed his brain in whirl Of
excitement.' The long twilight of the
summers day had passed. In the dark,
warm night they walked on softly, speak
ing only in whispers.
The young mans conflicting sentiments
had yielded - this time to the expccta-
tion the vigilant enthusiasm of the rest of
the party. Jarrett's rifle, which the re-
porter bad taken for moment while the
former examined his pistol, he held I'M
consciously now with firm grasp. His
nerves were 50 strained that the slightest
noise came to him like Il shock When
Jarrett touched him upon the shoulder to
tell him that the warden had called a halt,
he jumped nervously. Jarrett ; lips curlcd
beneath his heavy, dark red mustache
Under cover of the darkness he did not
try to conceal the CLEAN OF contempt in
his small, keen eyes.
"'We'rc hot on the trail, " he whispered
to Wilson. Warden, Bennett, and Ill
60 on down to ravine. He''-pointing to
Paddock had better stay here with you
while you watch He'll do less damage
here than with us A shot from Us or
from you'll he the signal that Crandall >
found.
He had spoken with his mouth close to
the guard ear.
Wilson ard Paddock stood in silence,
watching till the warden's party had dis
appeared. For a long time they waited,
expecting every moment to hear the sig
nal. The young mans nervous trembling
had passed away He was eager for the
conflict. The softer sentiments had van
isbed. Only the savage in him remained
and longed for battle.
After time he could no longer bear in
action He envied the guard his sentry's
duty, which gave him the liberty of pacing
up and down. The moon was just rising
Rocks and bushes took queer shapes in
the dim light and from behind any Of
them Crandall might be lurking. With n
nod to the guard, the young man turned
and climbed to the top of the hill. Far
down glimmer of light from the broad
moon tipped the shining barrel of Jar
rett's pistol, which doubtless he held cooked
in his hand The warden and his TWO men
We're creeping cautiously along.
Paddock stood awhile Then, rounding
a turn in the twisting trail, suddenly he
came upon the murderer crOuched behind
a great rock, his eyes bent upon the same
CLEAN of steel that had attracted Pad
dock S attention.
Throw up your handsl" Paddock com.
manded, his young voice vibrating with
triumph. Suddenly, remembering Jar
rett's rife, which he had forgotten in his
excitement, he covered thu man before
him.
Surprised at this unexpected assault in
the rear, the man jumped, turned, bent
for his gun-then obeyed. The defiance
In his haggard face yielded to despairing
consciousness of defeat.
They stood thus for a minute, the con
Wet braced against the towering rock, one
hand above his head the other bound in
dirty cloth hanging limp at his side.
But as the young mans eyes met those
other smoldcring, hunted ones, only the
rifles length away, suddenly his other sell