Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1899-11-09

We rolled grCut bOlrldCrS Of rOCl. on 20 ths
terrace.
cerned. we could have fought our way
through the blacks, but there were the
women and the sick man, and we could
not leave them behind. l went To the
narrow fssure which led to the spring
and looked upward II was just barely
possible that a man might by staying
himself against either wall Of rock and
10y climbing like a goat eventually scale
that cliff
If nothing turned up in the course of
the next few hours to release us from
our unfortunate position. | would have
to make the attempt and endeavOr to
find help | did not say word to any
one about it, knowing that Jack or Sa-
vile might endeavor to prevent me car
rying ont my plan. OF course l would
not leave without letting some one
know-one of the black boys. for in
stance, who would keep the matter a
secret until had got clear away.
We rolled great bowlders of rock on
TO the terrace so as to form breastwork
that would shield Us from the spears Of
the savages. Toward noon we broke our
fast by eating some spinach which Sa-
vile bad found growing near the spring
1t was a native plant called that hen.
1t was pleasant and palatable, but q
man could not keep himself in fighting
condition ON that alone.
1t was noon now, and Jack and | were
sitting on the terrace keeping a look
out when Savile came to the mouth of
the cavern. He looked about him and
seemed surprised.
Il wonder where DAILY can beI" he
remarked. Il thought he was ht1c.
lis he not in the caveg" asked Jack.
"I'l go back and make sure. =" he an
swered
Jack and / looked significantly at
each other. | somehow felt Sure that
Daily had given US the slip. Ii hardly
surprised me. When we had sat watch
ing together ON the previous night, |
could not see his face. but knew that
he was thinking rs to how he could best
make his escape.
Savile went into the cave and looked
everywhere and then questioned the
black boys, but they, poor frightened
mortals, had not seen him. They sat
stolidly over tiny fire as if they de
rived some comfort from watching its
fitful glow. 1t was certain that Daily
was not in the cave or at the spring.
Snowfall sprang to his feet and went
ing along the ground as bloodhound
might do 10 try and pick up a scent
cried:
Track sit down here b'longin to
DAILY That fellow got m little fellow
foot and baaT'-here he tapped his heel
ION this one foot BY this he meant
Days left boot was minus the heel He
followed the track past the spring, then
pointed to little terrace that ran up
ward and along the cliff and which was
covered with q dense underground
THAT fellow bin go that away, he
said
A pebble turned wrong side mp or
blade of grass that had been disturbed
was to Snowfall what an open book
would be to a civilized man. 1t was no
use going farther. We returned to the
cave Gordon was asleep. His sister
was sitting beside him, and Savile was
standing hard by.
Now, some people might suppose that
Savile would hail with satisfaction
rather than otherwise this practical IL
lustration of his rivals cowardice and
perfidy. but they would be mistaking
| their man. He only thought Of how he
could lessen the cruel blow that must
fall upon the woman he loved
Elsie. | heard him say.
She looked up, but did not speak
. Ihere was a hopeless, wearied express
/ sion on her face. That bright, saucy,
careless light had gone out of her eyes.
''Daly has gone for help, Savile con
tinued HE didn't tell us he was go
ing. but of course he had his reasons f0r
| it. You'll see he'll either go mp and
meet Mr.. Mackenzie coming back from
| the table lands or 90 down TO the sta
ton and fetch up the others to help rs. =
She looked at him steadily and ear
| nestly for minute or two. IL was as
| though the true nature of this man We're
| beginning 10 dawn upon her. She SEEM
ed to feel strangely uncomfortable and
rather ashamed Of herself when she
| thought of the contrast between his
kindly, self sacrificing conduct toward
her and her former thoughtless and self
ish treatment of him.
| The sick man muttered TO himself IN
his feverish sleep and clinched his
| hands spasmodically as they lay by his
! side. The sound Of voices came broken
| ly from the mouth of the cave. The un-
seen splash, that divers toned lullaby,
! of the water as il fell from the rock
! above upon the stones put one in mind
of "A fountain in some sleepy old world
( garden. But none of these things was
so full of meaning as the silence Of this
| woman
Suddenly the voices at the mouth of
| the cave became more distinct, and !
| heard Norah Mackenzie ask:
How much ammunition have you.
Mr.. Tyndallr'
A sense of some impending catas-
trophe took possession Of me. There was
pause. and | heard Jack exclaim:
by Jovel | believe DAILY must have
taken the lot Oh. what black piece
of villainyi'
Such was indeed the case.
And now the woman who had thus
I been cast off and left in an almost de-
fenscless position 10 her fate by the man
who had told her that he loved her and
whom she had loved uttered never a
word but buried her face in her hands
Elsie. Elsie, | heard Savile say.
don't believe i'll There some mistake
There must be a mistake. DAILY didn
take them; they don think Of the fir
ing we've done | remember taking the
last box myself and emptying it into
my leather pouch. Don { take on. like a
good girl III 90 and tell them this ~
| do not think. VIXEN Savilc comes
J to answer for his misdeeds ON the day
Of Judgment, that this-call it what
YOU may-will be found written against
his name in the big book
The sick man stirred, opened his eyes.
gazed strangely about him; then. as il
somewhat easier. went 70 sleep again
But still the girl had not seemed 20 no
tice him. Only, suddenly, she raised her
dry, strained eyes from the ground. and,
looking Savile full in the face. cried al
most fiercely;