Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-09-29
CHAPTER XxIv.

Captain Brandon was as much amazed
and set back by Bouton's re-enforce
ments as that person was delighted. HI
knew that fight in the open would bt
madness, and his only hope lay in am
buscading the ontlawA Howard Blanch
ard, who, with John Clyde, had beer
watching from the summit Of q neigh.
boring hill, came running down at sun.
rise, and in answer to the captain
question said excitedly:
"They are coming this way!"
"Bouton's men?"
| Yes; every one Of them. and they
look like u cavalry regiment Where can
they be going?"
II cannot say. Howard, unless it b.
| to hunt us. IL that is their object, the
chances are all against their having a
pleasant time Of it." Then, changing
his manner to one Of command that so
well became him, the captain called
out, "Come, men, to horse and keep
close together.
From the elevations that crossed their
course they could look back and see the
cloud Of dust that marked Bouton's ad-
vance. and in this way they knew that
they were still keeping the same dis
| tance between them. Late in the after
noon they came to q mountain defile a
half mile in length and with steep
walls and rocky cresta
They must come through here, said
the captain, halting ut the farther end
Of the dcfile Here we can bring them
10 halt
The men dismounted and led their
horses up the northern face Of the pre-
cipitous hill through which the defile
ran. They secured the animals ON lit
tie plateau. and followed the captain to
tho top, which was covered with bowl
ders of every size and angular masses OF
rock detached from the mountain by
volcanic action.
Here is our ammunition, said the
captain. Initiate me"
He began at once 20 roll the stones TO
the edge Of tho precipice. and he set the
example Of balancing one on the rim,
10 that child hand from behind could
end it crashing down. To show how
Efficient these would be, he sent one
rock over, and the men breathlessly
watched it as with increasing speed and
irresistible force it tore and crashed TO
the bottom, plunging over and against
the opposite side
"Sakes aliver exclaimed John Clyde.
"Onc Of them stones would sweep down
! a regiment rs ball does ninepins "
Remember, captain" said Howard
anxiuusly, that my sister and Louis
Kyle and his sister are with the out
laws We must not hurt them.
Il have not forgotten. We must
watch out for them.
but what if they wait till dark?
We cannot tell then where the prison
crs nro. "
"Wc must still show them that it is
dangerous 20 pass II they stay where
they are, they make dry camp, and so
will break down their animals. See!
Here they comet
The cavalcadc came on again, and as
| it moved into sight the men on the cliffs
could sec that the line was broken into
three parts; that the horses were massed,
and that III the center Of each party
was ono Of the prisoners IL would be
impossible to so guide rock as 10 b.
sure il would not plunge through the
center Of each party and so destroy the
very people they were SO anxious To save
On they came. II was growing dark
when tho head of the party entered the
dreaded defile. Captain Brandon's men
| would not have been SO anxious and
nervous had their positions and the foe's S
been reversed. just as the foremost
| hor,eman came abreast Of the beginning
Of the obstruction "A huge stone started,
through the nervousness Of the man be
hind it, leaped from the crest, and with
the sound Of thunder crashed down. a
horse anl rider were swept out Of exist
ence like flies under n trip hammer Up
from the depths came shouts of horror.