The record-union., 1895-09-28

was useless 10 aLtenlpI To Dluu, that
their calling was known and they had
been traced to the cave. and they had best
give themselves up quietly, as resistance
would only add to their offenses; and
more, if they did not come out sulphur
would be burned at the entrance, the
tissure chimney would be closed and
they would be suffocated. After awhile
one announced his readiness to come out
and surrender. He was taken at once
into custody, ironed and placed under
guard. In half an hour two more an
nounced their readiness TO surrender and
were also hAndcuffed and placed under
guard.
There were still two more-kirk and
Tush. The former had told others he
would never surrender, and Tush would
share his masters fate.
hirk was greatly enraged at Lucy 8
escape. lie still believed that she was
hiding somewhere in the cave. Indeed,
he Was sure, because the entrance had
been guarded no less vigilantly inside
than outside. He was using great efforts,
assisted by lush, to find Lucy's hiding
place.
Just what he intended to do no one
knew but he limited that be would go to
some easily defended point. take Lucy
with him and defy the officers. and at
last, if necessary TO prevent capture, Kill
her and then himself.
Lucy shuddered when told of this.
They now had cheerful fire burning,
and meat-the thoughtful Moccasin
brought from Nugget Hill-was broiling
on the Goals.
The prisoners, securely handcuffed and
guarded, were camped just below. The
officer, as he could get no response to his
repeated calls, determined to enter the
cave, and. II possible. find Kirk and
Tush. He did not believe they would
shoot, as the others had surrendered and
they know there was no possible chance
for escape
They secured torches, and leaving
Beaver Skin at his own request to guard
the entrance, went carefully forward.
This was precisely what Kirk eX-
pected. lie intended to accomplish by
strategy what he could not by open re-
sistance.
Lucy he could not find, and he did moi
propose to die alone. SO with cunning
worthy of the man he crawled into little
nook, not far from the entrance, where be
felt sure they would not discover him.
and when they had passed by to quietly
slip out into the darkness and down the
mountain TO The horses and make good
his escape.
This was we'll planned, and would
have succeeded but for the watchful care
OF Beaver Skin, who suspected some such
game. He saw the movement, and judg-
ing rightly who it was, at once ordered
him TO stop and surrender; but Kirk
sprang through the bushes and quickly
raising bis pistol fired full in the face oi
Beaver Skin, but in running bis atm was
bad. At the same moment the old hunt
er's rife was at his shoulder and Kirk slite
would have terminated there but the cap
exploded without igniting the pow
der.
Again Kirk raised his pistol to shoot,
but IN his eagerness STUN bled, and be-
fore he could recover himself a blow
from Beaver SKINS rifle stunned him sc
that Clinton, who had run forward at the
discharge OF the pistol shot, was upon
him, and III a moment he WAS secured
ana placed in irons. 1t was some time
before Kirk recovered from the blow,
| but no one expressed sorrow for his mis-
| hap.
When Lucy discovered that Arthur had
been wounded IN the arm she was greatly
disturbed and insisted on binding il up
and was engaged in this kindly task
when Kirk was captured.
Il wished very much to have hand
| in that" said Arthur, but l am quite
content now that we have him."
''lt amt often my gun refuses to speak
or there'd be one whelp less" said Bea-
yer Skin.
They had eaten their supper and sa
about the tire talking.
Lucy tod her story over again as Bea
yer Skin had not yet heard il.
When consciousness came after she
tainted in The cave it was some time be
| fore she realized her dreadful situation
| Gradually, however, it came back to her
| Ia spite OF all there was sweet saiisfac
ton III the thought that Kirk had no
! found her. She could not tell, of course
| how long she had been unconscious-fol
hours 1t might be.
After aN hile she fancied she could dis
| cover faint gllmmer of light slightly
above and some distance away. Tht
more she looked the more she was as
sured it was real light. Creeping for
! ward on her hands and knees she wa
overjoyed to see it become larger as sn,
approached and she shortly discovered
it WAS from an opening, not large but o
| sufficient dimensions TO enable her t
creep through, which she did at once. anC
with the wonderful result we ALREADY
| know Of.
Old Moccasin sat just without the cir
Gle listening with much Interest to wha
| he could understand of the converse
iion.
Come up within the circle" saiC
| Lucy, TO him. "Y ou are one of us now
\ Ou are dear old fellow, and | shal
never know how much l owe you in trail
ing US here. And Beaver Skin, how can
thank you sufficiently for all you hav
done for me? God bless you all for you
kindness. have incurred a debt @
gratitude which l never, never cal
pay
why, what little Pve done is ius
nothin'." said Beaver Skin. Il felt
would 40 10 the eend Of the airth to sarv
ye, but conscience sake, / done mer
nothin''. as 1 said. So, Miss Clinton
don't you mention it,"
why do you call me Miss Clinton?'
said Lucy. 4ou called me that once be
fore.'
why, | understood that was yer name
! l thought Clinton was this youngster'
| surname" and De put his hand on Gin
toms head. All laughed at the mis-
take.
I'VE have been so hurried and excite,
like for The last two days that l neve
thought OF Hines, though Jerry Bloun
called you Miss Clinton, didn't he?'
~ es, | remember" said Lucy; "but
thought ii slip of the tongue. My nam
is Lucy Ray"
The name Is a familiar one," sal
Beaver Skin, "ior my sister, back il
New Hampshire, married Ray, thougl
| haven't seen nor scurcely heer' OH he
fer MORN twenty year"
What is your real name?" said Clin
ton and Lucy in breath
George Hale" said be. Though
guess | wouldn't know it if l seed it an,
whar from nome"
And your sisters name?" said Gin
ton, almost too excited TO speak.
Mary"
Mary" cried both Lucy and Clinto
together. "l on must be Uncle Georgel'
Aud. springing up aud grasping hi
hands, they shook them in rather a bois
terous way, while Lucy's arms foun
their way about the old hunters necl
and KISS was planted on the bronze
old cheek, while amid the confusion G
voices Beaver Skin was endeavoring I
be heard. At last they heard him.
II helieNa 10 luY aoul Ynu ara Marr,