The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1901-03-06

stabbed a soldier with hidden knife,
| and, taking advantage of the surprise he
created had escaped from the fort,
though a sentry had fired at him. He
was soon deserted flying down the road
which led to the forest and several men
started in pursuit. The officer was about
to follow them when a grizzled veteran
touched his shoulder and said few
words to him.
Are you quite sure you can do it.
gunner?" asked the lieutenant. per
der. 81 will lay my life on it she will
not fail us t this moment"
Every well. Them 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 on. sit is our best
chance, for they could never catch him.
Just look at the pace he is going at! l
would not lose that scoundrel for any
thing, and if we cannot take him alive
we must anticipate his fate and take
him dead
Several men had been potting at the
fugitive with their rifles, but without sue
cess, so he ordered them to desist, as it
was only throwing away ammunition.
Lighting q cigarette, he sat down and
calmly watched the eyer-lessening form
OF the brgand. | now went up to him
and asked the reason of this strange
apathy on the part of the garrison
Don't be IN hurry. my friend,' re-
pied be, smiling, we 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 far quicker and
surer method of arresting him than that
of pursuit. The big gun in the center
of the rampant on that side had by con-
slant practice, been trained to throw it's
pr0Jectlle exactly IN the middle 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 exact spot, provided
the gun has not been 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 see il is
impossible for him to turn to the right
or left till he gets out of the pass. owing
to the precipices on either side. You
know, Muller said he, turning to the
gunner, who was standing by, the right
kind of shell for this case?"
II know the very thing required, and If
the rascal is within ten yards radius Of
of that path"
Good" said the officer; ''loadr'
The heavy shell was hoisted into the
breech, and everything was got ready for
the shot. This all happened 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 relaxed the speed at
which he started from the fort, and was
1.,I
sired goal, keeping in the middle of the
path, and no doubt congratulating him
self on his escape. When within thirty
yards Of the place he dropped to leis-
urely walk, looking round continually to
make sure that no one was after him.
Once he stopped and, turning round,
made what seemed a gesture of contempt
at the fort, and, having thus relieved 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 pos
slble that the gun might somehow have
got shifted since the last practice. Only
the old gunner was calm and confident,
and lovingly eyed his great charge. [
was standing with the lieutenant near
the gun, and the wall was lined with ev
cry man in the fort, eagerly gazing a t
that small dark, spot moving so slowly
on.
AS the bandit neared the end CT the
path the old gunner handed the lanyard
of the gun to a subordinate and babe
him fire when he lifted his foot Then.
taking telescope, ne directed his gaze
on the fugitive. A deadly silence
reigned in the fort. [ could hear my
heart beating plainly, and [ believe ev-
cry man was in an equal tremor of ex-
element. [ half hoped that the man,
robber and murderer though he was,
might escape.
When would the signal be given? The
suspense was becoming uncomfortable. l
looked at Muller-he was gazing through
the telescope. Suddenly he kicked out
his leg, still keeping his eye to the glass.
A vivid flash followed, deafening roar,
which shook the fort. and then cloud of
white smoke obscured everything. When
it had cleared away Muller was stand