The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-09-23

trained 20 throw rs proiectile exactly tn
the middle OF the narrow path just before
II dipped out Of sight. and had been kept
permanently In that position. And the
lieutenant went ON. Gunner Muller Is
ready TO swear that a ball or shell
thrown from that gun will lift the exact
spot. provided the gun has not shifted.
Now. In that case. all we have 20 do -
10 wait til our friend there gets on. or
near. that spot. and there YOU arel You
see Il Is impossible for him to turn 10
the right or left tiii he gets out Of the
pass, owing 20 the precipicea on eth
or side You know, Muller.
said he. turning 20 tho gunner.
who was standing ny. the righi KIND %
shell for this casc7" Yes. sir" said the
soldier. saluting II know the very thing
required. and n the rascal Il within ten
Yards radius 81 the bursting point he
wOn't gain the end OF that path" Good :
said the oficer: load The heavy shell
was holsted into the breach. and every
thing was got ready for the shot This
all happened In much less time than Il
takes to describe II. and nov the man
was within eighty yards Of the fatal spot
After finding that he was not pursued.
he had relaxed the speed at which he
started from the fort and was now troi-
ting steadily on toward the desired goal.
no doubt congratulating himself on his
escape. when within thirty yards Of tho
place he dropped to a leisurely walk. look
ing round continually TO make sure that
no ono was after him once he stepped.
end turning round, made what seemed
gesture OF contempt at the fort. and. hav-
Ing thus relieved his feelings. walked on
again.
slowly he neared the fatal spot All on
and doubt, for " seemed quite possible
that the gun might somehow have got
shifted since the last practice. Only the
old gunner was calm and confident. aud
lovingly eyed his great charge. was
standing with tho lieutenant near tho
gun. and the wall was lined with every
man Ia the fort. eagerly gazing on that
small. dark spot moving 80 slowly on.
As the bandit neared the end Of the
path tho old gunner handed the lanyard
OF tho gun 20 "A subordinate and babe him
fire when he lifted his foot Then. taking
a telescope. he directed his gaze on the
fugitive. A deadly silence regned In che
fort I could hear my heart beating plain
~. and I believe every man was IN an
equal tremor Of excitement. I half hoped
that the man. robber ana murderer though
he was. might escape.
when would the signal be given? The
suspense was becoming uncomfortable.
looked at Muller--he was gazing through
the telescope. Suddenly he kicked out his
leg. still keeping his eye 90 the glass. A
vivid flash followed. a deafeulug roar.
which shook the fort. and then cloud
OF white smoke obscured everything.
when n had cleared away Muller was
standing beside my companion, With
look Of content on his face Il was right.
STR" he cried. he was HIT fair"
True enough. nothing was TO be seen
where the bandit had been. A loud cheer
followed the announcement, and the Of
fccr shook hands heartily with Muller.
and retired q make a report OF the mat
ter. while a party was sent TO collect the
remains OF the victim. A few hours later
I left the fort with my escort, after "A
hearty farewell 20 the commandant A.
We passed the fatal spot I Hhuddered 20
see unmlstakable signs Of the accuracy
81 tho shot. and hurried on to leave the
ilI-omened place behird.