The Washington times., 1903-01-25

he broke OF with startled GN-
clamation- On the verge of ,he cliff,
a few rods from the old tunnel. was
the figure of a woman. She 5000 IN
a listening attitude, but her face
turned away from the white men.
Evidently she had heard their voices
but had not discovered from which
direction they were approach. ag.
She was an Indian girl-aImost
child in appearances 1.-THE and
graceful as a deer. Her skin was Of
a brilliant bronze hue, and a great
mass Of coal black hair hung TO her
waist; her head was guiItIess OF other
covering She was dressed in a tunic-
like garment which fell below her
knees and was open at the throat. dis
playing the full rcundness OF her
bosom. A broad sash Of strange
texture and brilliant hue held the
garment together at her waist. Her
feet were shod with sandals.
over her shoulder was slung by a
thong a CULVER OF arrows, and she
held a short bow IN her hand. In
Keeth's startled vision she seemed a
Diana IN bronze.
He was speeches. with amazement;
but Ford and the trader. noticing the
abrupt termination OF their comrades
sentence. glanced up also. A sharp
exclamation from the Englishman
made the girl turn. She saw them,
and wonder filed her face. Her great
eyes. black as night, gazed deep into
Keeth's own. Even in that brief in
slant he felt the magic of her glance.
But she remained motonless only
moment Like a flash she fitted an
arrow to her bow, and a wild, bird
like call burst from her lips The
arrow was trained full at Keeth's
breagt, and her brown fingers trern-
bled on the string. He dared not
move as she began to step lightly
backward, her eyes still fixed upon
him.
Suddenly Ford uttered a shout Of
warning. The girl. evidently forget
ting the proximity of the cliffs brink,
made a misstep- In a breath she had
plunged backward into the abyss!
The arrow flew high in the air. and a
piercing cry reached the ears OF her
Mortified audience as she disappeared.
MY God!" cried Ford; shes
gone."
She'll be dashed to bits on them
rocks. beIow!" said Fitch. his usually
rudy face perfectly coIorIess.
But Keith ran forward 10 the brink
Of the precipice. He expected TO see
the poor creatures mangled body
bounding from rock to rock to the
foot Of the cliff. Instead Of the hor-
rible picture which his Imagination
had eonjured he beheld her lying IN
the fan shaped top Of a stunted tree
which grew out of a assure in the
cliff just below him. Her boey had
fallen from her hand AID she lay,
seemingly stunned, upon this insecure
resting-place-
Quick knot that rope around me-
under the arms he commanded.
she may slip at any moment Hang
on the rope with all your might and
don't let it chafe against the edge Of
the rock"
He Invested himself of his coat and
ammunition belt as he spoke, and in
a moment was lowered over the brink.
His feet scarcely gained a foothold
on the rock, but Ford and the Eng
Iishman eased him steadily down. Oc-
casionalIy a bit OF rock gave way be-
meath his weight and went crashing
into the gorge. and his hands were
torn and bleeding before he reached
the tree. The girl had not fallen
more than twenty feet; but the shock
had evidently deprived her Of con-
She lay amid the broken
branches, with her eyes closed and
head hanging Imply over the abyss.
Resting one foot upon a protuber-
ance on the face of the rock and the
other on the limb of a tree, Keith
vas able to raise her in his arms.
She did not stir, and holding her
tightly against his breast with his
left arm. he Tended himself of from
the cliff with the other hand and
shouted to his comrades to draw him
up. He could no longer see where to
place his feet, and once or twice
swung against the rough wall with
cruel force. But he kept his own
body between the cliff and his bur
den. and she was not injured in the
least. Before they reached the sum
nit her eyes opened and she gazed u
into his face.
Keep still Don't move" he said,
and although she could not under
stand the words his vioce evidently
treasured her. She did not seem
nor struggle, as Keeth ex-
pected she would Instead she lay
passive in his arms. although shs
must have realized their danger.
Then, in moment, Keeth felt
Ford's hands on his shoulders. He
was dragged upon the rock, still bear
ing the girl in his arms, and set her
down safely upon her feet. His cloth
ing was torn to rags. His hands were