The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-09-18

ering up high on each side, left only narrow way in the middle. Standlng in the centre of this gully you could look along the path about half mile each way, at which distance 1t came to a stop, the road suddenly dipping down on one side to Rabensburg, and on the other toward forest. It was in the middle of this valley, or rather cutting that the fort had been built, stretching across the narrow way from one wall to the other, so that, if necessary, the road could be completely blocked ana swept by the guns of the fort. In times of peace the fort had a gate left per- manetly open, allowing travellers to walk right through 1t and pursue their way to the further side.
 My friend, the lieutenant, soon joined me, and I remarked on the strong po- sition held by the fort. ''Yes,' said he, smiling, "I think we could give good account of ourselves before an enemy could pass along the road, from end to end," and he pointed to the three guns mounted on each side, commanding the two roads. A large one was in the mid dle and a smaller one was on each side of it, and very formidable they looked. He said I might leave them at noon, when the escort for the prisoner would be ready. Hardly had he finished speak ing when a shout was heard in the fort, 1 followed by report of rifle and ba- bel of cries. The officer rushed down to see what was the matter, following him closely. Arrived at the square, we found a crowd of soldiers assembled around @ man lying on the ground, bleeding profusely from a wound in the shoulder The officer was quickly told the cause of the tumult. The bandit, while being led out O. his cell, prepara- tory to being marched away, had sud- denly stabbed a soldier with hidden knife, and taking advantage of the sur prise he had created, had escaped from the fort, though a sentry had fired at him. He was soon described flying down the road which lead to the forest, and several men started in pursuit. The officer was about to follow them, when grizzled veteran touched his shoulder and said a few words to him. Are you quite sure you can do it. gunner?" asked the lieutenant. Perfectly cer- 1 tdIlit Sllt ItplIEN lliG Oiu SplQiCI will lay my life on 1t she will not fail us at this moment" "Very we'll then" said the lieutenant. Recall the men" The bugle rang out, and the pursuers ] turned and slowly retraced their steps to the fort. After all," he went or, Tit is our best chance, for they could never catch him. Just look at the pace | he is going at! I would not lose that scoundrel for anything, and If we can not take him alive we must anticipate 1 his fate and take him dead" Several men had been potting at the fugitive with their rifles but without success, so he ordered them to desist, as it was only throwing away ammunition.
 Lighting a cigarette, he sat down and calmly watched the ever lessening form of the brigand I now went up to him and asked the reason of this strange 1 apathy on the part of the garrison. Don't be in q hurry, my friend" re- piled he, smiling; I've are not so lazy and foolish as doubtless you think. Lis ! ten to me" He then explained that just as he was also starting In pursuit of the fugitive the old gunner had told him that there was q far quicker and surer method of arresting him than | that of pursuit The big gun in the cen- ter of the rampant on that side, had by constant practice, been trained to throw it's projectiles exactly In the mid- dle of the narrow path Just before it 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 hit the ex- act spot, provided the gun has not shifted. Now, in that case, all we have to do is to wait till our friend there gets on, or near that spot, and there you are! You sec it Is impossible for him to turn to the right or left till he gets out of the pass, owing to the preci- pices on either side. You know, Null ler,' said he, turning to the gunner, who was standing by" "the right kind of shell for this case?' Yes, sir" said the soldier, saluting; II know the very thing required, and if the rascal Is within ten yards radius of the burst ing point he won't gain the end of that path" Good said the officer; 'load!" The heavy shell was hoisted into the breech, and everything was got ready for the shot. This all hap pened in much less time than it takes to describe it, and now 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 trotting steadily on toward the desired goal, keeping in the middle of the path, and no doubt congratulating himself on his escape When within thirty yards of the place he dropped to a leisurely walk, looking around continually to make sure that no one was after him. Once he stopped, and, turning round, made what seemed a gesture of con- tempt at the fort, and, having thus re- 1ieved his feelings, walked on again.
 Slowly he neared the fatal spot. All on the fort were breathless with sus- pense and doubt, for it seemed quite possible that the gun might somehow have got shifted since the last practice. Only the old gunner was calm and con-