Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-08-06
THURM0NT Frederick County, Maryland, Thursday August g. 1895


tie the rope to the pick and fling it up
through that hole?"
There was still daylight enough for.
the experiment, and he tried it without
loss of time. A single attempt to throw
the cumbersome anchor up through the
hole in the roof answered the question.
The short-headed pick used by the
miners is much lighter than the common
implement of that name, but even with
this advantage he could not throw it to
the required height, and, in addition, he
saw at once that, even if he had the
strength, it would take hours of prac-
ticc to bring the skill necessary to en-
able him to hurl the thing through the
harrow gap in the rocks. Not to weary
himself necdlessly, he desisted after the
first trial, and sat down to eat his scanty
supper by the last rays of fading light.
After it had been washed down by an
other drink from the pool, he made his
simple arrangements to pass another
night in the cavern, and tried to 90 to
sleep; but his brain was too actively at
work trying to devise new eXpedients,
and after tossing and rolling upon his
sandy couch for awhile he sat up to try
to think it 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
from his rcvery by sound like the
shuftling of cautious footsteps, followed
Immediately by the appearance OF dull
glow of light in the chamber beyond the
crevice. His first thought was that his
captors had come to make another ut
tempt to kill him, and it brought with
it a fit of terror similar to that which
had attacked him on the previous night,
hut he set his teeth and overcame it,
fattening himself against the wall and
waiting breathlcssly for what should
follow. It was a trying moment, and
he WAS surprised TO find himself grow
ing calmcr and more collected with the
passing of the tagging seconds; then
the tingling of his nerves told him that
he 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
Mt once. "They've gone into the mine;
that's better; perhaps can catch them
MS they come out" In few minutes
the dull glow began to return, and he
saw the two men as they emerged from
the gallery leading to the mine. They
were talking in low tones, and Ring
brand listened.
~ tol' We hit was too soon, the onewho
carried the lamp was saying; "we-all II
jest have to wait yere spell till them
.ellers get 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 ncighbor of our'n in yon-
der's still n-snoozin' like he was when
yc plugged him?"
"Ye can Jest bet on hit, Buddy: low
] was some shaky, but 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-waitin' yere, jeff, yc mought 60
over what you.all's a-fgurin' on fer to-
morrer night. l hain't got hit right
clear in my haid yet
"Jest hol' on minute. Gimme that
thar light, till l see if the city feller's
whar he ort to be-"
Curiosity to know what was to be ex-
planned overcame Ringbrand's desire
for vengeance, and he crouched in the
shadow while the mountaineer made
his investigation. ..n,r,.
"Is he thar?" asked the other voice.
"Shore; 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 fred at the log. He had
scarcely time to be thankful that he
had not moved the latter during the
day, before the light disappeared from
the crevice and the conversation was re-
sumed.
Now, about that thar projec' for to-
morrer 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 hosses up
on the mounting by the Dunbar road
endurin' the day, Then. long late in
the evenin', when ever'body's gone to
bald, we-all IL jest ride over to the
colonel's, leave the bosses with Jed in
that thar little patch o trees front o
the house. an then you'n nell go smoke
'cm out. When they shows up, you take,
the young un an leaye, the colonel to
me. reckon III show him that l don't
miss the same man twicct." 4,
"How bout the,galH ~ =
Needn't to mind bout her; she'll
look out for herself and then the same
voice added: u reckon Jed'd>be glad
enough to take keer o her, if she'd low
hit" ... -. , ...
Even after the CONVINCING object-les-
son of the attempt upon his own life,
Ringbrand could scarcely believe the
evidence of his senses, Gould it be
possible that these two men were calm.
ly discussing plot which pointed to
u double murder as it's object? They
were speaking again, and he strained
his ears to catch every word. 81; D.
"They's only one thing about hit
that looks sort o. shaky. JEFF; that's
the part about the gal. Course l
knows, we-all amt fghtin' weemih'
but hit II be takin' a right smart mo
chances il she gets sight O. we-all.'
"She hain't gwine to. When the fires