Owingsville outlook. [volume] (Owingsville, Ky.) 1879-192?, 1896-09-17
IN.-CONTINUFn.

the experiment., and he tried it without
loss of time. A single attempt TO throw
the cumbersome anchor up through the
hole i'm the roof answered the question.
The short headed pick used by the
Iniu.~pffechl lighter than the common
peinent of that name, but even with
This advantage he could not throw il TO
the required height, and. in addition, he
at once that, even if he had the
strength, il would take hours of prac-
tice 10 bring the skill necessary to en-
able him TO hurl the thing through the
narrow gap in the rocks. Not TO weary
himself needlessly, he desisted after the
first trial, and sat down TO eat his scanty
supper ~ the last rays Of fading light.
Aftcf il had been washed ddr<l L,~re
other drink from the pool, he made his
.Fimple arrangements TO pass another
night in the cavern, and tried TO go To
sleep; but his brain was too actively at
work trying TO devise new eNpedients,
and after tossing and rolling upon his
sandy couch for awhile he sat up TO try
10 think il out. Since the night was
clear and calm, the silence in the cave
Was profound, and, knowing that the
ordinary noises of the upper world
could not reach him, he was startled
Srom his revery bs a sound like the
.shnfh1ng of cautious footsteps. followed
immediately by the appearance of duh
glow of light in the chamber beyond the
crevice. His first thought was that his
captors had come TO make another at
tempt TO kill him, and it brought with
IL fit of terror similar TO that which
had attacked him on the previous night,
hut he set his teeth and overcame il,
fattening himself against the wall and
waiting breathlessly for what should
follow. II was a trying moment, and
he was surprised 10 find himself grow
ing calmer and more collected with the
Passing of the tagging seconds; then
the tingling of his nerves told him that
lie had once more passed the mysterious
boundary between helpless fear and
courageous resolution, and, drawing his
revolver, he waited in grim silence for
the appearance of face at the opening.
While he watched, the light began to
fade. and the explanation came to him
at once. They've gone into the mine;
that's better; perhaps can catch them
? -'--x come cut" In few minutes
Icy began to return, and he
men as they emerged from
sading to the mine. They
Z in low tones, and Ring
ed.
lElitHas soon, The one who
trr4S- y lamp was saying; "we-all ii
Jest havet wait yere a spell till them
sellers ct sleepy"
They passed out of Ringbrand's range
of vision, but he could still hear every
word that was said. and the reply made
him almost sorry that he had held his
hand while he had them in sight:
They'll get sleepy bime-by. Wonder
IL that thar neighbor of our'n in yon-
der's still a-snoozin' like he was when
We plugged him?"
'Ye can Jest bet on hit, Buddy; low
was some shaky, but l reckon amt
missin' anything as big as man at that
thar distance"
There was little silence, and then
one OF them spoke again: whilst
we're a-vaitin' yere, JEFF, We mought go
over what you-aIl's a-fgurin' on fer to-
Joorrer night. ] hain't got hit right
clear in my haid yet"
"Jest hor on a minute. Gimme that
thar light. till / see IL the city feller's
whar he ort TO be-"
Curiosity to know what was to be ex-
plained overcame Ringbrand's desire
for vengeance. and he crouched in the
shadow while the mountaineer made
his investigation.
as he thar" asked the other voice.
'-Sbore; he's a-layin' right plum whar
he did las night. Don't reckon he ever
- moved"
Then Ringbrand understood that the
dim light had misled them, and that the
shot had been fired at the log. He had
scarcely time TO be thankful that he
hal not moved the latter during the
- day. before the light disappeared from
the creyice and the conversation was re-
sumed.
Now. ABOUT that thar projec' for to-
rnorrer night, Buddy, I'd figured hit jest
this-a-way. julie she'll light out in the
mornin' for McNairville on the mar
an we'll fetch the rest o. the bosses up
on the mounting by the Du Ibar road
endurin' the dag. Then. long late in
the ercnii.', wber ever'body's gone to
hsid. we-all II jest ride over to the
cIoreI's. leare the HOSES with Jed in
a b thar little patch O. trees front o