Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-05-08

He stood spell-bound, yet excited,
gazing silently at the girl, whose head
was bent in her hands, as If in grief and
despair. Rapidly he began to form q
p an for evading the guard in the cor
ridor and reaching Inez
AS he stood there a sudden episode
baTed al his plans. He saw lnez
Tracey start to her feet and stare in
wild emotion at the opposite SIDE OF the
cave. This portion of the cavern was
at that moment completely shut out
from Ranger Ralph's range of vision,
Vaguely he heard a voice speak her
name He saw the girls face express
the deepest joy and relief. At that mo-
mcnt the attention Of the guard seemed
directed to the apartment He arose
siezed revolver from his feet, and be-
gan to creep towards the cave.
Intensely interested and yet rerplexed
Ranger Ralph stood watching the scene
of what promised to be most exciting
and momentouse episode.
CHAPTER XVII
Whoever it was that had apparently
entered the cave apartment where lnez
Tracey was, that person did not evil
IDENTIFY see or know OF the near proximity
of the bandit guard.
Even the imprisoned maiden seemed
unaware of his presence, for her beautl-
full face, fully revealed 10 the gaze OF the
scout in the light of the lantern, glowed
only with emotions of gladness.
The guard, adopting stealthy'
crOuching movement, began to step
gradually toward the apartment.
Ranger Ralph's att ntiOn was divided
between him and Inez. He saw that
the outlaw was too thoroughly engrossed
in watching the inmates of the apart
ment to pay any attention to him. Cau'
tiously, therefore, the scout began to
steal after him.
A few steps enabled him to gain a
complete view of the interior OF the cave.
He came to Cead stop with sheer sur
prise as he saw the cause Of the girl S
cmot on.
"Darrel Grcy!" he muttered under his
breath
1t was indeed the young scout.
AS the reader will remember, after he
left White Fawn he had penetrated 10
the cave of the outlaws from the in
closed valley into which he had talen
When Despard had removed Inez To
the cave, Darrell had reached a spot
where huge rock blocked up the en-
trance to the apartment For over an
hour he sought to push this barrier
away and at last he had succeeded
1t was his entran o that had SO
startled the captive maiden.
"Inez!" he cried. and sprang toward
her with outStretched arms.
In the first impulse and rapture OF
love and JOY Inez had glided to greet
him. A modest flush surmountcd her
brow, and she paused. trembling and
confused, as he seized her hand fervently.
"Oh Darrel-Mr. Grey! You have
come to rescue me"
ayes. But we must not delay
"There is way Of escape?"
"By the way came, yes. la! what
IS that?"
rarrel drew the startled Inez closer to
his side and rccoiled quickly as he dis
covered the guard.
The latter had moved into full Wow
aRetreat toward the opening to the
valley" directed Darrell to his fair com
panion.
"Ho'd."
The guard lcveled his revolver as he
spoke. Evidently he recognized Darrel
as an intruder and an enemy
The lat er was entirely unarmed, the
savages having taken his firearms from
him when they tied him to the stake a
the Pueblo River encampment
Inez had nearly reached the aperture
in the wall, when the guard raised bis
revolver.
Ranger Ralph had taken in the scene
at glance, and resolved 10 act quickly,
as he discerned the peril of his yo Ing
friend Darrell Grey.
With rapid spring he was fairly upon
the guard Too late, however, TO pre-
vent the shot the latter had directed a.
| Darrell.
The bullet sped wide of its mark
The report of the pisto', however, awokC
| all the silent echoes of the cave.
With one blow the old scout felled the
guard insensiblo to the floor of the cave
Then, springing over his PROSTATE form
he seized the revolver that had fallcr
from his grasp.
Darrell Grey recognized him with {
joyful cry.
Ranger Ralph" he calculated.
Inez glanced with quick interest at tht
man she knew to be her fathers old
time friend and her own.
The scout glanced back at the corridor
with an alarmed face, as he Eeard new
commotion. Two men had come sud
dcnly'into view. Ranger Ralph divinct
in a flash that they had been compan
ions of the guard.
Doubtless they had been sleeping IL
the embrasure in the corridor and ht
hal not noticed them. The shot hat
aroused them, and as they entered thu
apartment they comprehended the situa
tion at a glance.
"Ely!" ordered the scout to Darrell ant
Inez.
"But the out avs will be earoused--'
81 will hold those two at bay, anC
cover your escape"
ITO BE CONTINUED.
Tho Great and the Little.