Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-05-08
ROYAL RANGER RALPH;
The Waif Of the Western PrairieS
rY WELDON ]. COBB.
CHAt TER XVI.
IN THE CAVE.

his mishap at the river were transpiring.
When the horses ran away and dashed
the wagon over the cliff near Lone Can
yon Tavern, the ranger at hrst gave
himself up for lost.
The descent was terrible one, and he
cluny to the sides of the wagon as 1t
turned and fell, and finally struck the
water with a crash.
Then, da2ed and bruised, he was half
conscious that the horses had become
separated from the vehicle, and that the
latter badly shattered, was floating down
the stream.
1t had now become so dark, especially
in the shelter of tho cliffs that lined the
river perpendicularly, that he could not
estimate his situation except that he WIS
being borne Iapidly away from the scene
of the accident by the streams swift
current.
"I'm rid of the outlaws, any way" he
muttered grimly, "and probably near
their stronghold l wonder if young
& ey has managed to find the girl, or if
she is still captive and on her way to
this desOlste placer"
His predicament was not a pleasant
one, for the wagon box was immersed in
water and he was wet through from the
dip in the stream.
Finally it began to sink so low that he
was compelled to climb out on tho seat,
and thence later to the top of the wagon
cover itself
From here he regarded the fast-fying
landscape 81 emily and clu1g to his frall
raft as it was driven hither and thither
by the rock choked current.
There was a final crash, and Ranger
Ra oh was flung head foremost into the
river.
The wagon was splintered to p p'cces as
it came in contact with huge rock In
midStrcam, and foated away leaving
the scout floundering in the water.
lie managed to reach the shore. and
stood with dripping garments ruefully
surveying his situation.
Darkness and solitude surrounded him,
and there seemed no means OF leaving
leaving the narrow, confined canyon e.
cept by the waterway up and down
stream.
Suddenly light appeared in the dis
tance, and the scout stood pccrlng at 1t
for some time, vainly endeavoring to
make out its location and cause.
ait must be lantern or campfire OF
the outlaws" he dc ided, and he deter
mined to endca, or to Tafe his way
toward it.
In the darkness and amidst unfa-
mi lar scenes this was no easy task, and
his progress was slow and laboriOus.
Clinging to trailing vines and shrubs,
scaling rocks, fording and swimming, he
managed fna ly 10 gain pile of rocks
directly beyond whi h was the light he
had seen
1t proved to be as be had surmised, a
campfire, built somewhat back in a
cave-like aperture of the rocks
1t was accessible by a narrow, dan
gerouS Path from the cliff above, AMI
was evidently one of the entrances 10
the mountain laStneSs OF tho bandits
A dozen rough forms were visible In
tho glow of the freight and among
them Ranger Ealph readily recognized
several whom lie had known to be mem
bers of respard's outlaw band.
From his place of espionage tho old
scout could watch his enemies and de-
termine at le sure the best course TO
purS c.
There was no fear of in eruption, for
while he might gain the entrance to the
cave it was not likely that they would
come his wav. He was 50 near to the
entrance of the ca that he would al
most hear the laughter and conversation.
There was only this ledge OF rock be-
tween him and the open space in front
of the Cavo.
The scout crouched 'ow as two mon
came toward where he was. At first he
determined to retreat, as he feared they
were coming over the ledge; hut as they
paused at the edge of the stream near by
he diicerned that one of them bore
bucket in his hand, and that they had
come to obtain some water for the camp.
"Whats the programme, anyway" he
heard one of the men ask; and the other
replied;
"A general breaking up of the band,
Lear the boys say"
"Apd division of the rrofits?"
ayes. 1t S whispered about that Des-
pard is tired of the life, and that it has
become tco dangerous to suit him Hes
afraid of trouble with Shadow Snake,
and he's rot some 5. heme' for fortune
about the girl he has brought here"
"What trouble could he have with
Sna1OW Ohdke'
"He's afraid the old Modoc chieftaln
will learn about his treachery in regard
to the princess.
"Wh te Fawn?"
ayes; and Danton and he haze played
the Indians false.
@About WHAT"
s'The emigrant tran. They stOe most
of the plunder, and the Snake will re-
sent this and our desert or. l wcu dn't
wonder If the Modoc ch eff sent mes
senger to demand restitution Anyway,
he's made enemies cf the savageS by his
actions
The men returned to the cave just
then, but their conversation formed a
themo of thought in the scouts mind for
some time after their departure
"The girl is here" muttcrcd tho
ranger, "and DeSpard has some plan for
leaving the country. l must learn what
his schemes arc. and at once But how?"
Eanger Ralph effected deeply for over
an hour. Then as Told idea flashed
upon his mird, he determined on its i'm
med ale execution.
lie theorized readily that DeSpard
meditated leaving tho country. and that
he would probably take Inez Tracey with
him. The girl was now doubtless pr.s-
oner in the outlaws stronghold. The
fortune her father had left her was
the obie, t of Desl ards plot.
To rescue the girl and foil the rene
gade in securing that fortune, the scout
felt that he must act quickly
Ranger Ralph was noted along the