The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-01-16
CHAPTER XXX
CONCLUSION.

| CONCLUSION.
aHold!"
Like shock the word. sounded upon
the hearing of Danton. 1t was less than
an hour after the departure from the
hut, and he and his companion had
gained o moonlit mountain path, apd
were rapidly making their way from the
vicinity OF the tavern.
Inez, weeping bitterly, allowed Des-
pard to lead her horse as he would, and
he did not annoy her by speaking to her,
! although he kept close surveillance
over her every movement
Danton had Jagged behind, his horse
having loosened shoe. He had dis
mounted and was about to hasten to re-
| join his companion, when he became
conscious that two men blocked his
way.
One OF them flashed quickly by him,
and he thrilled ss he seemed to recog-
nizs In him his dreaded enemy, Ranger
Ralph. The other had gained his side
30 quickly that they were face to face.
@Draw q weapon and fire., spoke the
ominous voice Of Darrell Grey.
He held cleaning revolver In his
hand, before which the craven Danton
qpalleQ IN IerrOr.
aFling your weapons in the road
quick!"
There was no mistaking the stern
menace in the young scouts voice.
Danton sullenly complied with his de-
mand
"You are my prisoner" spoke Darrell.
.aIn few moments I shall take You
back, bound captive, to the settle
ment We escaped from the cellar-we
saw your victim, White Fswn. Return
st once the box Of jewels you took from
her." .. ..as.
Danton drew the box from his coat
Then suddenly he flung 1t far over the
edge Of the cliff. .
Darrell uttered cry Of dismay.
"Kill me II you will. I have robbed
YOU of half your triumph" cried Dan
ton. aHa! I am not beaten yeti"
Taking advantage Of Darrel's lismay
at the loss Of the jewels he had sprung
towards him 1t was fatal movement,
for it startled. the horse, and Danton's
foot became entangled in the dropping
reins With cry of terror, Darrell saw
the horse drag him few feet, and then
send him crashing over the edge OF the
precipice
Danton had met his doom in the rock
choked river below!
A series Of shots some distance ahead
warned Darrell that his friend, Ranger
Ralph, had probably met Despard 4
few minutes later he came upon them.
The ranger had indeed orertaken Des-
pard, had torn his grasp from the bridle-
rein Of Inez's horse, and then deadly
conflict had ensued.
They had emptied their revolvers at
short range. Neither had been seri-
ously injured Just as Darrell reached
the spot, the outlaw bad darted up
steep incline
aWe shall meet again!" he cried. @You
have triumphed this time-help'
The word gurgled In his throat As
he reached the summit Of the eminence,
o deafening detonation rang forth
Pierced By a hundred bullets, Dyke
Despard fell dead.
he bad run directly into an ambush OF
the very Indians who had accompanied
| Darrell to the vicinity Of Fair Play. A
| moment later Shadow Snake appeared.
| His vengeance was complete-his foe
was dead, and the outlaw band OF Des"
pard was swept from the face OF the
earth.
Two hours later affairs had resumed
q quiet aspect. Inez, enraptured al
again meeting Darrel, was conveyed by
the Modocs to settlement farther down
the river.
Here White Fawn met her father,
and here there was q fearful parting, for
she started forth with her fathers tribe
to find some trace Of the husband OF
whom she had been robbed Dy the villain
| Despard
One month later her grateful friends
were happy to know that she had found
him-a prisoner in hostile tribe. They
were reunited, and returned with
Shadow Snake to their old camping
| ground, peace being declared with the
white inhabitants of the district.
Ranger Ralph related long story OF
his search for Inez, and the next day
visit was made to the valley where
Danton was killed, resulting IN the ind
ing Of the box Of jewels.
Marvin was not punished for his share
in Despard's plot, as nothing definite
could be proven against him.
Walford, the hermit, was found and
a month later was present at the mar
i riage Of Inez and Darrell.
| The happy pair removed to California,
and both their old friends accompanied
them
Often they see the brave Indian girl
who 50 befriended them
Amid their happiness they never for
got these stanch friends OF the past
And among them all, they reckon mono
more highly than tho intrepid scout who
| followed al their reverse fortunes in the
days when they sought to secure the
treasure of Lone Canyon-the king OF
border detectives, Ranger Ralph
| 1.-THE END