Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1904-10-15

UnOIkr quarter. sometimes Inc rOHu
took a curve away from the river to
avoid the high bluffs which overtowered
the bank: and ut length Fox saw. ut
some distance ahead. u bluff higher than
the others. and from the nature of the
place he concluded that 1t must he the
spot where he was to he put ont of the
way. IL he had any doubts OH this point
they were soon removed. for the guide
began TO show signs Of anxiety. though,
they were so well guarded that person
might never have detected Them without
some prcposscsScd clue Ia them.
you soc that high bluffT he said.
pointing to the place in question. THE
ravinc of which spoke lies just beyond.
Tho path after that is very blind"
"Ah. Then | am clad you have come
with me. for il is not very pleasant to
lose ones way in such woods."
Finally the place was approached. and
Fox could see most of its pccuiiartics.
Toward the river the rocks were piled up
as by some mighty CONFUSION. while to
the left was II deep gorge. over which
ran sort of natural bridge Of rock. Just
~ they reached this poiw the guide ut
tered an exclamation of dissatisfaction.
bah. My saddle girth has broken
he said. You ride on. sir. aud | will
follow YOU rs soon as have fixed It,"
Fox was now behind his guide. and
as he saw the fellow slip from the sad
die he drew up his own horse. His first
impulse was to east his eyes over the
strange. wild scene ahead. The ravine
was very deep. with rough. Jagged sides.
aud with bottom Of huge rocks. over
which the torrent was evidently wont to
Il. a.
and freshcts. But the most peculiar
feature of all was wide. naturally arch
ell tunnel which extended through the
bottom OF the bluff to the river The
path was very narrow. not wide enough
fof II cart. all articles which needed
transportation being generally carried by
pack miles. though, the most common
mode of transportation was by the river
The path upon the shelf or bridge of
rock was not over four feet wide In any
place. and certainly II hundred yards in
length. while the gorge extended away
to the left until it became lost IN the dis.
tant forest.
impnticntly. ride on and l will soon
overtnkc you.'
1T Is not proper for the guided party
cnrelessly. having first seen. that his pis-
tolls were at hand.
But you had better ride on now" ,,rg.
cd tho guide, "for you have no time to
losa.'
Il am in no hurry" 'iH'.a,
"Bpt l am
Then We will ride faster when We
get started again"
Warua was not only perplcXcd. but
much aGitated. lie found that the stran-
gers eyes wer" steadily upon him. and
his every movement was watched. But
soon he seemed to gain confidence. and
with d stendicr hand he patched the
girth with n thong where he had himself
cut il, and In n few moments more he
was In his saddle.
"Now you may ride on" he said. 'fOr
my horse is not safe with another behind
him. lie will not go over with the
sounds Of hoofs in his ear"
'rhcn," replied Fox. who could not
help smiling ut the fellows quaint IN.
] gcnuity, II will not start until you are
across. Now IL You are In u hurry,
move"
This last sentence was spoken sharp
Is. and the fellow started on. Fox waited
until he had gained the opposite side.
and then he followed him. When the
traveller reached the spot where his guide
| stood, the latter rode on ahead ut brisk
trot. and Fox followed at n respectful
distance. Soon tho gentleman saw Warda
place his hand in his bosom. and when
he withdrew 1t he Ind II pistol In Il.
| Wardn supposed he had accomplished
this without being noticed. On the next
instant Fox hearl sharp click. click.
and from the way In which the fellows
right elbow was bent he knew that tho
weapon was ready for firing. Fox drew
his own pistol, ana held Il beneath the
skirt Of his frock, by bringing the skirt
up over the saddle bow.
| suddenly Warda drew In his horse by
Il powerful movement, and quickly
. changing his pistol into his left hand, he
cried out, In Wild, strange voice, at the
same time pointing of over the river:
"See here! Sec there"
james Fox had seen the whole process,
and he knew full well that II he did
not act promptly he would have II bullet
through his head before he could prevent
II. lie waited until he saw the guide
reach back with his right hand for the
pistol. and then he knew the crisis had
come. II was hard to take the life Of u
fellow, hut now he had his choice--tn
fall by the hands Of IN assassin, aud
thus leave the villain to do more murder,
while at the same time u still darker
villain would he loft behind with de-
fenseless maiden In his grasp--Or to save
his own life. and thus live to accomplish
a work which justice and mercy and
love demanded Mt his hands. These
A. IL, T. ,s..A
lightning. and on the next instant his
course was clear
Look. Look" cried the guide.
Fox saw the villains finger now upo,
the trigger Of his pistol. With firm
hand he drew In his rein. and as hi,
horse settled back he quickly brought
his own pistol to within u yard OF the
nssassin's head and fired. The guides
horse bounded forward at the sound OF
the report. and WardH was thrown upon
the ground. He had uttered no cry
for the ball had passed through hi,
brain. and the force of the concussion
even without the ball, would have stun
ned him for Il while.
James Fox hastily dismountcd and
stopped over the PROSTATE guide, but lift
was extinct, and after dragging rhe bod,
cut from tho path, so that his horse
could pass freely along, he rcmOuntcd
end rode along, taking no notice Of til,
guides horse. which had now stopped n
; though waiting for its rider
. Toward the middle of the forenoon
Mari l.ar0on began to look for his say,