Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1910-01-06

six, a dozen perhaps, not more,
he answers; but 1t is not them we
fear. The firing may bring the Alban-
ians down to the border, for 1t Is but
a rife shot distant. Now we walt here
till another hour is past, end then
will take thee to the spot where thou
canst see all in safety"
Hast thou no fear that we may not,
too, be fired at by our friends?"
query. THE night is very dark, and
how can the others distinguish us?"
May" says Petar; "for that I have
arranged. am detailed with score
Of others to watch the ford, and at
eleven o'clock we meet there" His
voice is reproachful as he adds: "Dost
thou think would lead thee into
danger?"
apologize, knowing well the eau
ton taken by these reckless men for
the safety of their guests; yet ! muse
how good Petar will safeguard me
when the bullets fly at random. The
time passes quickly, for Petar Is an
interesting talker. and the clock
chimes out again.
1T is time" he says, and we rise,
enveloping ourselves in our cloaks.
He walks along the tiny path below
the overhanging cliff; for the Ribnica
lies in deep cutting. and not another
word does he vouchsafe TILL, with
hoarse whisper, he answers a crisp
challenge. Then other figures rise
from the surrounding boulders. All
the men l know, and silently they
push forward and grasp me by the
hand in welcome. Then Petar takes
me to another cave smaller than the
last, and with a natural parapet, over
which I Chamber. Once inside see
that no bullet can penetrate here, and
smile at the thoughtfulness Of these
men. It is weird scene. l can just
distinguish the rough outlines Of the
great boulders which strew the river
bed, and opposite is the outline Of the
lofty bank, straight and unbroken.
The river rushes with a gurgling,
pleasant sound over the shallow ford.
and now, except Petar, who is peering
intently over the parapet, not q soul
is to be seen. The darkness has ut
terly swallowed up that little crowd OF
men, yet l know each boulder hides a
keenly vigllant Montenegro, like the
watcher at my side, with rifle ready
in the hand. Still the rain beats down,
and fall a-dreaming as the minutes
drag YEARLY by. Perhaps l d0ze,
when suddenly Petar lays his hand on
my arm and points. With start |
follow the direction Of that hand, and
at first see nothing. Petar relaxes my
arm, and l see that he is aiming.
Then see shadowy figures moving
noiselessly between the boulders, and
my heart beats to sufIocation. l count
six Of them gliding in single file. a
pace or two separating each from the
other. But two or three boulders d.
vide the foremost man from the ford.
who pauses instinctiVely, holding up
his arm as a signal. The next instant
voice rings out, Halt and surren-
der!" For an answer the six rifles Of
the Turks crash in the silence. Then
the rifle at my elbow cracks with a
report like thunder, flashes dart from
every boulder, and Petar has leapt
the parapet. Scarce knowing what !
do, follow him, and figure rushes
toward us. Petar clubs his rihe, but
the fugitive deals him q mighty blow
with his fist and he reels backward,
but RECEIVERS himself and sends q bull
let after the flying man. Then follows
q deathllke stiffness for few seconds,
and the leader of the Montenegrins
shouts an order to cease firing In the
ravine and assemble on the cliff. Some
scatter over the great plain, and now
shot rings out In the distance, then
another and another, till the whole
countryside would seem to be alive
with the reports Of rifles. The great
slope Of Fundina becomes bed Of IRE
flies, as the peasants turn out and
pass on the alarm to their brethren In
the mountains.
Thou vast foolish to leave the
cave" says a voice at my elbow. It Il
Petar, wiping the blood from cut In
bis forehead.
why do they fre on the hillsf" I
ask. MY voice surprises me, and I am
ashamed, for II trembles. "Are the
Albanians attacking in fOrce3"
NAY, cospOdIn, says Petar grimly;
rnone now viii venture across the
border tonight. That Is the signal Of
alarm, and ere thou returnest tO-the
town It win be fun Of men"
And It was so, The street before the
hotel Is thick with men, many thou
sands Of them; In bands under the
Leadership Of their ofnoerB. Even Rs
60 to my room. tired and wet to the
sigin. l hear stiIl the distant tap Of