The Washington times., 1903-03-15

ceeded IL getting away from the sta
ton" h. reflected. My men must have
heard the noise Of the attack. and turn
ed back in time TO intercept the scoun o.
drel. anu now they are having a lively
struggle. The first thing is to get pos
session Of this load Of gold. II will be
fatal TO me il 1 lose the contents Of
even on sledge. AS for the other three.
they are. n doubt safe enough"
This sEppcsition was a natural one.
for as far @s Andre could see through
the falling snow. no other sIedges or
horses or men were visible-onIy the
black surface of the river, dotted with
cakes Of drift ice
He concluded TO wait until the oppo-
site shore was reached. and then over
power the driver.
With a view TO this object he felt
around him for a weapon. and was so
unfortunate to strike his arm against
one Of the chests-a mishap that pre-
cluded him from carrying out his plan.
and forced him TO immediate action. for
the convict who was driving, heard the
slight noise, and quickly turned his
head.
Andre was watching him at the time.
and for brief second their eyes met.
The convict uttered a hoarse CRY OF
alarm and reached one hand for his
rifle under the scat. bur that instant An
Dire flung himself forward, and catching
the fellow by the throat. pulled him
heavily 10 the bottom Of the sledge.
But his advantage was short lived.
no frF
and quickly broke from Andres grasp.
and then ensued a fierce and bitter
struggle.
The combatants rolled over and over
in the narrow space. at first fighting for
a grip on each others throat, which was
frequently gained only to be torn loose
the next second
Failing IN this they came to blows,
and battered each other
Andre was careful to waste no breath.
but the convict alternately swore and
shouted for help al the top Of his voice.
an appeal that brought no response.
though It reached the ears for whom
il was intended
They answered Il, TOO, but the sound
OF their voices was carried far astray
on the whistling wind and was lost
Meanwhile the horses, left to them
selves. fell into confusion and panic.
fiOundered helplessly about for little
while. and then headed down. the stream
The foTding was but a narrow one. and
in an instant the terrified animals were
swimming for life in the icy waters, and
the sledge was lurehing dizzily from side
TO side as the rapid current bore Il
away.
As the water surged up through the
bottom boards Andre and his antag-
onist sprang TO their feet. forgetting
their enmity in this new peril.
Deeper and deeper sank the sIedge
until the heavy chests were half sub
merged and the water was almost over
the sideboards. Two of the horses were
drifting with the currents. perfectly
motionless. and the other pair were fast
drowning
AS Andre glanced hopelessly at the
swirling waters around him the con-
Wet. seeing his chance. sprang at him
with a snarl OF rage. and both fell
heavily against the side OF the sledge.
At the same instant the two heavy
chests of gold slid forward, and the
combined weight tipped the sledges clear
over.
Andre retained his presence OF mind
as he went under water. and by Wig
orous strokes quickly came to the sur
face.
His clothing must speedily have drag
ed him down again had not the sledge
roated by him bottom up. and so close
h.
He cIung 10 IL with might and main
calling loudly for help
The convict was at first not TO be
seen. but presently his head appear
ed some yards away. and then his hands,
feebly beating the water.
But he was past all help. and as the
waves choked his maIedictions and fran
tic yells. ne sank never 10 rise. and the
ripples widened until they reached the
drifting sledge.
Such was the situation when Don
aid ChumIeigh. attracted by the out
cry. forced his horse to the bank OF
the river.
He could see the sIedge plainly. and
the figures Clinging to it. and without
an instant's delay he forced his unwill-
ing steed into the water. resolved TO
save the man. be he friend or foe.
To tell the truth. Donald did not think
this would be hard 10 do. for the sledge
was considerably nearer 70 his side of
the river. and, moreover. he had great
deal OF faith in the ability OF a horse
to reach the spot and return with a
double burden.
At first the animal behaved well and
swan out with his rider until the
slodge was 50 close that Donald leaned
ont OF the saddle to help Andre to
mount behind him
But just at this critical time the horse
showed signs Of exhaustion. and a cake
of drifting ice happening TO strike him
on the flank pretty forcibly. he went
clear under water. and Donald only
saved himself by leaping forward and
grasping the end Of the sledge as it
hoated by him
He pulled himself out en- the bottom.
and then helped Andre 10 a safer place,
for the latter was still holding to the