The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-01-02
.You intend to take me to Miners

|
| @Why?"
@You are losing time" -.
sIn what wsy?1 asked Darrell
an seeking revenge on me, you arc
leaving your friends in danger. i
~What friends?"
Granger Ralph and the girl Inez
Tracey3" .s IN.
aRanger Ralph is dead"
@No; he escaped at the old hermit's
cave I saw him. (" -
~Allowing that, he can take care OF
, himself -.
aBut the girl. She is prisoner with
the Modocs See here: I'm willing to
help you find her, if you will allow me
my liberty"
sNo; shall place you in safe hands.
Then shall find the girl alone and un-
aided. March on!"
Despard obeyed the mandate, and
started down the road with sullen
face. The menace of Dsrrel's revolver
was sufficient to make him an sbject
and unresisting captive
Not word was spoken as the journey
was resumed. Darrell resolved to con-
vey his prisoner to the next mining set
| tlement, and there make known his
,
driver Of the wagon, who had been shot
by Danton.
Later; ne learned that the driver had
escaped with slight wound.
For over an hour the lonely tramp
continued Several times, as they came
to where the road wa3 more tortuous,
Darrell paused.
He imagined he could hear horses
hoofs in the distance, but finally at
tributed the sound to some rayine wa
terway or cataract He was not aware
that willy foe was upon his trail, that
'Despard's accomplice, .Danton, had fol.
lowed them, intent on rescuing the for
mer. ,aE
AS they rounded q point Of rocks,
Grey started quickly. Too late to avoid
q catastrophe, Darrell essayed to fire at
an advancing foe suddenly revealed be-
hind them. Itwas Dsnton, and he was
on horseback. "
With deft movement lasso shot
out from the saddle bow. The rope en-
closed his form, pinfoning his arms
tightly. s,
The revolver fell to the ground. With
cry Of fierce delight Despard seized 1t.
Dantons gave the lasso tightening jerk.
secured the other end round his waist
and faced his captive with malignant
joy depicted on his evil face.
@The tables are turned, my friend, he
jeered.
Darrell was silent with discontinue
and chagrin.
Despard proceeded to see that the
lasso was firmly tied around the pris-
oner.
aWe won't delay here,s remarked
Danton. aSome Of this mans friends
may be on our trail. Come along, Cap
tain
Danton urged forward his horse.
Despard walked by his side conversing
with him. Darrell was compelled to
keep pace with them, secured to the
other end of the rope He could hear
enough OF the conversation Of his cap
tors to knew that they were discussing
his fate.
He made every effort possible to re-
lease his hands, and had almost sue
ceeded in getting one arm loose, when
Danton suddenly halted. s't
aWhat Is itp" asked Despard.
sLook ahead.n
"a fire!" 49,.
eyes ~ ~
sPerhaps campfire Of the Indians
&Thst you must learn. Reconnoiter
and see who 1t Is Z, us ;tt
Despard left them and went in the di.
rection of glow Of light in 9 thicket q
short distance away. Danton sat care
lessly regarding Darrell, until Despard
returned. The leader reappeared final
ly greatly excited.
sWere in luck, Dantonl" he cried.
aaWhat do you mean?'
at is camp yonder in the thicket'
sRedskins?s
NO. r4.t - ,Csf
I 3Vigilantes?nn
sNo" -: ,M
sWhat then?" ~.
"a dozen Of one OF our old bsnSs.S
Danton uttered satisfied Ejaculation.
! He started the horse Toward 20 sud-
denly that Darrel ,-lss thrown from his
| feet. .stE
TheAattass,,as at that moment near
| the edge Of the cliff and fell precipitate.
lySyer II. With, yell Of fright Danton
was dragged from his horse. The as
! founded Despard saw the two men dis
appear from sight with cry OF alarm.
The lasso, attached to both, whipped
around tree that grew near the edge OF
the road Glancing over, Despard saw
the two men come together with shock
| Thefr weight evenly baIanced,7 Sney
were unable to ascend. Darrell had
managed to get one arm free. With this
he clutched the lasso.
For 9 moment Danton was terrified.
! Then he discerned q means OF escape. II
I he could lower Darrell and raise himself,
he could reach q place Of safety. He
seized the side of the lasso supporting
Darrell and shot up several feet Then
seizing some twigs growing out OF the
cliffs, he endeayored to ascend still
higher.
| In . flash Darrell comprehended his
peril. He discerned that when Danton
4 reached the tree across which they were
swung, he would cut the rope and send
him to his death below. With free
hand he seized the foot Of Danton.
@Let go!" yelled the bandit
u will not You will let me ascend
first or will hold on to you oil night
| aShoot hfm!" shouted Danton to Des-
| psrd. wild with rage.
The outlaw leader leaned over the
edge Of the cliff and leveled revolver at
Darrell. There was fash and report
! Darrell withdrew his hand from the lasso
as hot, soaring sensation coursed his
fingers .5r.. ..,
Despard began to pull at the rope
Darrell shot downward and Dsnton
a. -