Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-06-05
ROYAL RANGER RALPH;
The Vaif Of the Western PrairiieS
GY WELDON ]. COBB.
CHATTER NXUI-COntinuch.

CHATTER NXIII- Continued.
Darrc. seized tic bandits arm and
forced him through the doorway DeS'
pard made no resistance a Brown
snatchcd his revolver from his belt
Standing in tho darkness near the door
was a Qucer-looking vehicle with a roar
grated door
"Get in," ordered tho Sheriff, steraly,
"What am | ARE ted for?" demanded
DcsTard
NE or mind if you don't want to bo
lynchcd you obey orders
"This Is an o d treasure wagon, and
stout and secure" aid Brown to Darrell.
There is driycr?"
eyes"
"And he has orders to proceed to
Miners Gulch?"
"EXactly Here is the key to the vc-
leave before the N mrs know Of tic
capture"
"Thcrc was an accompicc Of this man. "
"Whcre is hep"
ESCAPED"
"I'n tly and End him. Drive ahead "
Tarrel sprang into the vehicle ana
closed the door. 1t shut with spring
lock.
Darrell held his revolver ready for use.
DcSrard, Sullcn and si'cnt, sat glarlnS
GerCely at him
The vehicle left the place and started
for the mountain roads The capture oI
the bandit had been accOmp ished most
expeditiously. Darrcl we'll knew, how.
ever, that he must be very watchIul OF
so willy q foe
For over an hour not a word was
spoken. and the vehicle proceeded on lts
way. There was a sTall Shelf IN thc
forward part of the wagon. Here lit
tie lamp cast dim rays of light over tho
interior.
q think know you at last, remarked
Desrard, finally, in sulcn, sneerlng
tone of voice
"Indecd,"
ayes. You are the friend of Ranger
Ralph"
"And his avengcr"
"You expect t. prove me to be his as
sa .sin?"
"And that of the others-ycS
"Whore are you taking me?"
"To Miners Gulch."
This seemed to alarm and subdue
IeSpard, for be relapscd into silence
A casual glance flOm the lear barred
window showed that the vcHiclc was
slowly trcading a dangerous road on the
very edge of the mountains
Suddenly he started. He was posi-
tive that figure on horseback had
fitted by the vehicle A minute later
there was a shot 1t was succeeded by
.,. e. Lol ND tbop fall
whoa"
The hors~s came to halt. The
voice was that Of Danton. a revolver
was thrust through the bars Its pos
SCISSOR was sheltered by the darkness
beyond
Move, and you arc a dead man, "
smoke Danton's vol "Whoeycr You
are, you are in deadly Ioril | can see
your every movement. Listen to what
say"
These words were directed to Darrell
He clutchcd his revolver and was silent.
"Your driver l have disposed OF, "
spoke Dan.On. "You are in my IOwcr.
Dcspard, who is this man?"
"Tho scouts friend
"Grcy?"
"Yes."
"Mr Grey, you viii first hand out the
revolver you have in your hand
Darrel moved a; if to oh y Danton
rc,ue t. Instead, he raised it suddenly
and fired
Danton drew back. The horses,
alarmed at the shot, started off. With
Tremendous velocity the vehicle WAS
dragged down a steep grade. Without
driver they dashed mad forward
One glance showed Darrel their awful
peril They wcra so near the edge OF
te procipicc that it seemed as If it
would go over the edge of the dcclivity.
Despard himself, terrified, sprang eX'
citeGly to hi; feet. A yawning abyss
showed as the wagon struck a tree
Tie horses broke loo and dashed
away The vehicle tOttcred, crashed,
aad fell over the steep mountain road