Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1898-06-15

seer ded rapidly. Higher ", bu then
obscured by the thickly "a lirg rain aud
mist, was high r,dg which prof cted
across t. river, and forme sort Of
bowl-like enclosure, in The center of
which was land ir) small wooden isl
and. Below this spot the river divides,
1t becomes narrower, and passing n
the right side over a small rocky break
water, OF natural barrier, it takes q he-
mendous lelp sheer one hundred feet
over the rock, pieading out from the
base for many feet in Its descent. On
the left side OF the island the stream
has worn away tie rock to great ex-
tent, and on that side The water hurr.es
down rapid at steep angle, and at
the bottom meets dep water, which
drives in a swift current over to the
right shore, to strip Of beach on low
ground-a watering station for animals.
| The men charged with the execution
had well chosen the place. The pris.
oner stood with hands clasped as one
Of his guardians was making prepata-
/ tons, and the other stood ready to fire
should the prisoner attempt 10 escape.
One was adjusting the cord upon o
neighboring tree, underneath which
the mule had been already led, when
an exclan q ion from lin made the
other guardian turn his head. The
quick-eyed Mexican seized his oppor-
tunity. With swift sweep of his right
hand he severed with the concealed
knife the rope at his wrist, and with a
desperate backward spring he threw
himself into the eddyiDg, boiling water.
The heavy splash was the first init
nation that the other men had of the
Mexican's escape; and, with revolver
ready, one waited till the swimmer
should reappear. He rose, and struck
out boldly for the opposite store. The
man raised the pistol, when his COM
panon stayed his arm.
"Give him chance, Bob" he said.
"You or me may want good turn
some day; and, besides, I don't b'live
he lifted them animals. Soft Smiths
an idjit.' |
"Well, mebbe yer right" replied the |
other as he returned his pistol. "Poor
chap!" he added, with a touch Of feel
ing to " hich he had long been stran-
ger. "Poor chapl the fall will save us
the job, anyhow
"He's gone!" replied the ether, HE
can't git over, ehi"
"You bet!' exclaimed his companion.
"He's right enough, 1 do declare; bell
git out nowl'
Meantime the unfortunate fugitive
was struggling vigorously to gain the
center of the stream. He was SWIM
ming strongly. hand over hand and
every now and then he cast glance at |
the ridge of rocks that flinged the rap.
id leading to the fall Of the sheer hun
dred feet. Could he clear this, he
might be saved. He was making good
way, but ever being drawn nearer and
nearer by the resistless current TO his
destr uction. The men on shore watched
his progress with fevtrish anxiety.
Another yard or two and he would
gain the rocky ledge which ended the
tall, and where the less dangerous
rapids began. Would he last?
The men clasped hands in their strong |
excitement, and by simultaneous i'm
pulse cheered the swimmer on. The
poor wretch heard it. 1t gave him
One minuate more and he
would be CLEAR; with renewed energy
ne strov4 and with despairing effort
the rock. His leg swung for
second into the milky mass Of water
.bove the cataract. Could he beat the
strain? A cheer from sh ore; mighty
,ffort-he swung himselfo Overland with
! long, sweeping stroke dashed down
he rapids and disappeared.
The men turned away, breathing
more freely, and returned as hastily as
possible to camp to report. The storm
till continued; the river had run up
reek, and it was nightfall ere, wet to
be skin, and chilled to the bones,they
,ained the saloon. Here all was confu-
ion; twenty tongues, speaking at once,
nd all commencing "Soft Smith,"
he Judge was present, and as the
wo men entered he said, Tm kinder
orry we hanged that Mexican. We've
one him an ury,boya, I'm afeared."