The National tribune., 1903-12-03

amazed Kentuckian as the pistol bali
whizzed over the table. Frank lcaped out
of the door on the opposite side. and from
n corner of the house fired shot from
his revolver.
"Crack. crack" rang cut two shots, one
of them tearing II splinter from the corner
log, where his face had been but moment
before. Frank ran toward the shed where
his horse was eating from a trough. The
bride had been slipped from off his head
and n rope tied about his neck. This rope
was tied so hard and fast flat he found
himself unable to lose it quickly, and he
cut it with his knife.
While he was thus engaged his pur-
suers opened fire on him from the house
in genuine partisan fashion. ami n bullet
struck the horn of his saddle. splitting the
wood inside the leather. Meanwhile the
KentUckian was almost frantic with fear
and rage. He ran out of the house, and
into the house, and called to his wife and
children to crawl under the beds. and
hide from the fury of the attacking party.
while he climbed into the chimney.
Getting his horse freed at last Vernon
leaped into the saddle and dashed through
a rear gate and over low fence into an
orchard. three or four shots whizzing after
him close to his head. Leaping the rear
fence, he ascended HILL his pursuers
swelled to a score, following. AScended
to the top of TIE hill, Vernon discovered
retreat from that side completely cnt off
He drew rein for Il single moment and
raising himself in his stirrups looked
about over the scene below. There was
but one place at which an opening could
be found, and he wheeled his horse to
ward the southwest, and like Il thunder
bolt sped through the gap.
An hour later lie stopped for moment
at large farm house. His horse was
reeking with persDiration, and blowing
with hard riding.
II say, felier, ye Look as if ye'd been
ridin' hard" said an old man who sat
under a locust tree in the yard.
Yes, l have had hard ride" lie an
swered. How far is it TO the Ohio or
Indiana line:"
wall. reckin' it's about hundred
hundred an fifty, or maybe two hundred
miles
Il want to buy saddle horse of you"
said Frank.
''Wall, wait until the boys comes back
an maybe ye kin make Il dicker with
EN-"
Il can't wait" Frank was very pale
from his long ride, and weak from his
wound, and he urged the farmer to sell
him horse at once
Il can't see why yer in sch Il hurry
about it." the farmer declared. ".Iist wait
uItiI tHe DosS coiiie, an We Won ncV any
trouble
81 am on very important mission, sir
1t is n matter of life and death and tell
you l can not wait" The farmer, how
ever, was 0bdurate and he had to wait
The boys came in few minutes, and
he bought n saddle horse at an exorbitant
price and went on. But tired nature de-
manded repose and at sunset, reaching an
old deserted mill which was in tumble
down condition, and which had evidently
been long deserted. he rode within its
walls and tying his horse to a post entered
one of the rooms and stretching himself
on the floor was soon buried in sleep.
When he awoke it was daylight His
steed was giving utterance to suspicious
snorts. He started up to find the mill
surrounded with armed men. One of them
had revolver leveled at his head.
Hold up yer hands. mister, We've got
ye this time! Don't make Il move. or by
the Eternal we'll plump Il bullet right
through yer eyer
Frank discovered that resistance was
| useless. and surrendered and in 10 min
ntcs was on his way TO prison.