Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-09-23
CHAPTER. Iv-(Continued.)


servants do not sleep in the house."
While Terrier was absent, preparing
his daughter for the approaching jour-
ney, Jefferson Hope packed all the
eatables that he could find into small
I arcel, aid filled q Stoneware jug with
water, for he knew by experience that
the mountain wells were few and far
between. He had hardly completed
his arrangements before the farmer re-
turned with his daughter, all dressed
and ready for a start. The greeting
between the lovers was warm, but
brief, for minutes were precious, and
there was much to be done.
I'VE must make our start at once"
said Jefferson Hope, speaking in low
but resolute voice, like one who real
ICES the greatness of the peril, but has
Steeled his heart to meet it. 1.-THE
trent and back entrances are watched,
but with caution we may get away
through the side window and cross
the fields. Once on the road, we are
only two miles from the ravine where
the horses arc waiting. By daybreak
we should be halfway through the
mountains"
What if we are stopped?" asked Fer
rier.
Hope slapped the revolver butt which
protruded from the front of his tunic
IF they are too many for us, we shall
take two OF three of them with us"
Inc said, with a sinister smile.
The lights inside the house had all
been extinguished, and from the dark
sened window Ferrier peered over the
hills whiC h had been his own, and WI ich
DO oh 70 oh forever
He had long nerved himself to the sac
rifice, however, and the thought of the
honor and happiness of his daughter
outweighing any regret at his ruined
fortunes All looked so peaceful and
happy, the rustIing trees and the broad,
silent stretch of grain land, that it
was difficult to realize that the spirit OF
murder lurked through it all. Yet the
white face and set expression of the
young hunter showed that in his APP
Droach to the house he had seen enough
to satisfy him upon that head.
Terrier carried the bag of gold and
notes, Jefferson Hope had the Scanty
provisions and water, while Lucy had
Il small bundle containing few of her
more valued possessions. Opening the
window very slowly and carefully they
waited until a dark cloud had some
what obscured the night and then one
Dy one passed through into the little
garden With bated breath and crouch
ing figures they stumbled across it and
gained the shelter Of the hedge, which
they skirted until they came to the gap
which Onened into the cOrnfield. They
had Just reached this point when the
Young man seized his two companions
and dragged them down into the
shadow, where they lay silent and
trembling.
ut was as we'll that his prairie train
ing had given Jefferson Hope the
ears of a lynx. He and his friends
had hardly crouched down before the
melancholy hOoting of mountain owl
was heard within a few yards Of them,
which was Immediately answered by
another boot at a small distance. At
the same moment a vague, shadOWy
(EEsure emerged from the gap for which
Hhey had been making, and uttered the
pIaintive signal cry again, on which a
second man appeared out of the obScur-
ity.
Tomorrow at midnight" said the
first, who appeared to be in authority
when the whippoorwill calls three
times"
ut is welI,' returned the other
-''ShalT I tell Brother Drebberw
Pass it on to him, and from him
TO the others. Nine to sevenr"
Seven to fivew repeated the other,
and the two figures fitted away in
different directions. Their concluding
words had evidently been some form
of sign and countersign. The instant
that their footsteps had died away in
the distance jefferson Hope Sprang to
his feet, ard helping his companions
across the gap, led the way across the
fields at full speed, supporting and half
carrying the girl when her strength
appeared to fail her
Hurry on-hurry on"' he gasped
from time to time. eve are through
the line of sentinels. Everything de-
ponds on speed. Hurry Onp'
Once OH the high-road they made
rapid progress. Only once did they
meet any one, and then they managed
80 slip into q field, and SO avoid rec0g
milton Before reaching the town the
.huEter branched away into rugged
and narrow footpath which led to the
mountains. Two dark, jagged peaks
doomed above them through the dark
ness and the defile which led between
ullom was the EaSle canon, Ill WHICH
fine horses were awaiting them. With
merring instinct Jefferson Hope picked
his way among the great boulders and
along the bed of dried up water
course. until he came to the retired
csnner, screened with rocks, where the
faithful animals had been picketed.
The girl was placed upon the mule,
and cid Terrier upon one of the horses,
with his money-bag, while Jefferson
Iope led the other along the preclpi-
tous and dangerous path.
1t was beWildering route for any
one who was not accustomed to face
nature in her widest moods. On the
scne side great crag lowered thou
SIND feet or more-black. stern and
nleracing-with long basaltic columns
EIpcn his rugged surface, like the ribs
of some petrified monster. On the 9th
er hand, a wild chaos Of powders and
debris made all advance impossible
Between the two ran he irregular
track, 80 narrow in places that they
had TO travel III Indian file. and so
rough that only practiced riders could