Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-01-09

an account of one man, though his
belt were stuffed with pistols.
But how? Only, it seemed, by open
force. My heart began 10 tlutter as
planned 1t; and then grew steady
again. A hundred PAGES before us q
gully or ravine on the left ran up into
the snow-held. Opposite it's mouth q
tumble Of stones and broken rocks Gov
cred the path. marked this for
the place. The knave would need both
his hands to hold up his nag over the
stones, and, if turned on him sud-
denly enough, he might. either drop
his gun, or fire it harmlessly.
| But In the meantime, something hap
pened; as, at the last moment, things
do happen. While we were still 50
yards short Of the place, found his
horses nose creeping forward on lev
Ell with my crupper; and still advanc-
ing, until could see 1T out Of the tail
of my eye, and my heart gave a great
bound. He was coming abreast Of me:
he was going to deliver himself into
| my hands! To cover my excitement
began to whistle.
"Hush!" he mnttered fiercely: his
voice sounding strange and unnatural.
My first thought was that he was i'll,
and l turned to him. But he only said
again, Hush! Pass by here quiet
ly, Monsieur
"Why?" / asked mutinously. curios-
| itxy f3y,o - > =
been wise had taken no notice; ev-
cry second his horse was coming up
with mine. It's nose was level with
my stirrup already.
Hush, mani" he said again. This
time there was no mistake about the
panic in his voice. "1'hey call this the
DEVILS Chapel. God send us safe by
It! 1t is late to be here. Look at
those!" he continued, pointing with
finger which visibly shook.
looked. At the mouth of the Gull
ly, in small space partly cleared OF
stones stood three broken shafts,
raised on rude pedestals. "Well?"
said in low voice. The sun which
was near setting flushed the great
| peak above to the color Of blood; but
the valley was growing gray and each
moment more dreary. well, what OF
those?" said. In spite of my peril
and the excitement of the coming
struggle felt the chill of his fear.
Never had l seen so grim, so desolate,
so God-forsaken place! Inyoluntari-
ly shivered.
''They were crosses" he muttered.
| In voice little above whisper, while
his eyes roved this way and .shat in
terror. "The Cure de GsDas blessed
the place, and set thApSnp. But next
morning they were as you see them
now Come on, Monsieur, come ont"
he continued plucking at my arm. cit
Is not safe here after sunset. Pray
God, Satan be not at home!"
He had completely forgotten in his
panic that he had anything to fear
from me. His gun dropped loosely
A4across his saddle, his leg rubbed mine.
saw this, and l changed my plan OF
| action. As our horses reached the
stones stopped, as II to encourage
mine. and by sudden clutch snatched
the gun bodily from his hand; ut the
same time | backed my horse with all
my strength. 1t was done in a mo-
ment! A second and had him at the
end OF the gun, and my finger was on
the trigger. Never was victory more
easily gained.
He looked at me between rage and
terror, his jaw fallen. care you mad ?''
he cried, his teeth chattering as he
| spoke. Even In this strait his eyes
| left me and wandered round In alarm.
mo. sane!" retorted t1ercely.
But do not like this place any
| better than you dol" Which was true
enough, If not quite true. $50, by your
right. quick march," continued i'm
peratively Turn your horse, my
friend, or take the consequences"
| He turned like lamb and headed
down the valley again, without Civ
| ing thought to his pistols. / ken,
close to him and in less than minute
we had left the DEVILS Chapel well
behind us and were moving down again
as we had come up. Only now held
the gun.
When we had gone r...s mile OF
so-until then did no, sel comfort
able myself and though thanked
heaven the place existed, thanked heav.
en- also that l was out of it bade
him halt. Take off your belt!" said
CURLY, land throw it down. But
mark me, If you turn, flre!"
The spirit was quite gone out Of him.
He obeyed mechanically. jumped
down, still covering him with the gun
and picked up the belt, pistols and
all. Then remounted and we went on
| By-and-bye he asked ME sullenly what
was going to do
go back" said, "and take the
road to Auch when / come to it."
"It will be dark in an hour" he an.
swered sulkily.
II know that" retorted. eve must
camp and do the best we cam
| And as said, we did. The DAYLIGHT
held until wa pained tho r1,fr+, 30 AZ.