The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1901-03-08


and, taking advantage Of the surprise he
created, had escaped from the fort,
though a sentry had fred 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
touched his shoulder and said few
words to him.
Are you quite sure YOU can do it,
gunner" asked tine lieutenant. "Per-
fectly certain, SIR" replied the old SOL
der: 81 will lay my life on it she will
not fail us at this moment"
VERY we'll. Them said the lieutenant,
"Recall the men,"
The bugle rang out and the pursuers
turned and slowly retraced their steps to
the fort.
'"Afters ALL" he went on. lit is our best
chance, for they could never catch him.
Just look at the pace he is going at! I
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 a cigarette, he sat down and
calmly watched the ever-lessening form
OF the brigand. 1 now went up to him
apathy on the part Of the garrison.
don't be in hurry: my friend,' re-
piled he, smiling; I'VE are not so law
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 center
Of the rampant on that side had, by con-
slant practice, been trained to throw it's
PROTECTIVE exactly in the middle Of the
narrow path just before it dipped out Of
ffsh ana had been Kept permanently in
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
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?'
Eyes, sir" said the soldier, saluting;
II know the very thing required, and il
the rascal is within ten yards radius of
d f9e tb baFT 1aS point he won't gain the end
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
fatal spot. After finding that aoi he e' w s
not pursued, he relaxed the speed at
which he started from the fort, and was
now trotting steadily on toward the de-
sired goal, keeping in the middle of the
path, and no doubt congratulating him
Yards var Of the piace he dropped to a 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 GREATNESS with sus-
pense and doubt, for it seemed quite pos
sible 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. I
was standing with the Lieutenant near
the gun, and the wall was lined with ev,
that small dark, spot moving so slowly
on. :. - 81. :
AS the bandit neared the end of the
path the old gunner handed the lanyard
OF the gun to subordinate and bade
him fire when he lifted his foot. Then.
taking a telescope, he directed his gaze
on the fugitive. A deadly silence
:reigned in the fort. I could hear my
heart beating plainly, and believe ev-
cry man was in an equal tremor of ex-
5citement. I half hoped that the man,
.robber and murderer though he was,
might escape.
q. 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 to the glass.
SA5yivid fash followed, deafening roar,
white smoke obscured every thing. When
III had cleared away Muller was stand