The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-01-02
ROYAL RANGER RALPH;:
The Waif Of the Western Prairi&
BY WELDON J. COBB,
CHAPTER xxnI-Continued.
@~aS, ion 49,

CHAPTER Rxxu-Continued.
{ Darrell seized the bandits arm and
forced him through the doorway. Des-
eard made no resistance as Brown
snatched his revolver from his belt
Standing In the darkness near the door
I was queer-looking vehicle with rear
grated door.
sect in, . ordered the Sheriff, steraly.
.What am arrested for?" demanded
Despard.
.Never mind; II you don't want to be
lynched you obey orders a.1
sThis Is an o.d treasure wagon, ana
stout and secure said Brownie Darrell.
S *There is driyer9'
!. sYes.s a.. ,r7z4
q sand hss has orders to proceed TO
Miners Gulch2" ,es
aExactly. Here is the keys to the ve-
Z hicla Get in with your prisoner, and
leave before the miners know OF the
capture" :
There was an accomplice Of this man. .
sWhere Is he7" ~.
sEscaped. .r
sI'n try and find him. Drive ahead. I"
Dsrrel sprang into the vehicle and
closed the door. It shut with q spring
lock. ..ss
DarreI held his revolver ready for use.
Despard, sullen and silent, Sat glaring
flercely at him -,
The vehicle left the place and started
I for the mountain roads The capture OF
the bandit had been accomplished most
eIpeditiously. Darrell well knew, now.
ever, that he must be very watchful OF
50 wilys foe. 4, 4 z ..
For over an hour not word was
spoken, and the vehicle proceeded on it's
way. There was q small shell In the
forward part of the wagon. Here . lit
stle lamp cast dim rays of. "5ht over the
interior. u - s,l q ss,as ~.
4 think I know You at lasssR remarked
SDespard, finally, in Q sullen, sneering
tone Of voice. @. q
81 sIndeed!1 +:
sYea You are the friend of Ranger
Ralph & & .}- q rs n 51.., 4
sand his ayenger.n Il
.You expect to prove me to be his as-.
sassin?s s. L A. sj54i.
IS sAnd that OF the othersyes 8
Where are you taking mePD T
sTo Miners Gulch." fSSr
This seemed to alarm and subdue
Despsrd, for he .relapsed into silence. :.
III A casual glance from the rear barred
window showed that the vehicle was
slowly treading q dangerous road on the
very edge of the mountains
b Suddenly the started He was posi-
I tive thai Q figure, on horseback had
fitted by the vehicle. A minute later
there was 9 shot It was succeeded by
. cry for help and then . fall. ii
aaWhosIp Y !. q q.
The horses came to sa halt The
voice was that Of Danton. A revolver
was thrust through the bars Its pos
SCISSOR was sheltered by the darkness
beyond. Il ~. - r
;5 sMoYe, and You are q dead man, .
spoke Danton's voice: Whoever you
are, You are in deadly peril can see
your every movement Listen to what
7 say., "a - Il s5sgll &
These words were directed to Darrel.
He clutched his revolver and was SILENT
sYour driver ! have disposed Of,
spoke Danton. sYou are In my power.
Despard, who is this manP' as aii
r..s X ts,The scouts friend - ( \ -
'sSjfeyfSS u, } tsi 4. }. ~ .ss (: ' ~
sYea ~ * ls} !. 4 Z. ~. . s IL
sMr. Grey, You will first hand ont the
revolver you have In your hand.
Darrell moved as II to obey Danton's
request Instead, he raised it suddenly
and fired.
Danton drew back. The horses,
alarmed at the shot, started of. With
{. tremendous velocity the vehicle was
dragged down q steep grade. Without
! . driver they dashed madly forward.
One glance showed Darrell their awful
peril. They were so near the edge Of
the prscipice that It seemed ss II it
would 60 over the edge Of the declivity.
Despsrd himself, terrified, sprang ex.
citedly to, his feet. A yawning abyss
showed as the wagon struck q tree
The horses broke loose and dashed
sway. The vehicle tottered, crashed,
I snd fell over the steep mountain road T.
% .it Il $50 TSayi CHY rrER YXTV IE%r .