Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-03-12

him rushing up an incline 70 a mound
OF stones upon which stood a windiass.
Near by stood a miner on the ore
dump gaEing IN surprise at the racing
egurea. Grierson spranE up the side
Of the mound without speaking. rushed
az the miner knocking him 10 the
ground. and hurled himself into the
o1-hide bucket The windlass creaked
and groaned under the pun OF the
cable. and the crank whirled wildly.
Presently a thump announced that the
| bucket had hit the bottom. I gasped
In surprise. wondering II the bandit
had survived the shock OF that crazy
descent
How far does that SHAFT go?" I In
CURED OF the miner. who had lust
picked himself up and stood glaring
at me in angry establishment.
Thirty feet" was the reply. What
the devil"
Hold on" I interposed, graspinE the
crank, as SheTchffe came rushing up
That man is Bull Grierson. and we
want him for murder Who else is
there down In that shaft7"
My pardner. and he amt got no
weapons. either. He has a hole ready
TO fire. and was Just about 10 come M.
Hes in a bad box. then" remarked
Sherclihe as he stared down the
mouth OF the pit
Crack. crack. cracki came three
shots in rapid succession. and Sher-
ellie Jumped back with an oath OF sur.
prise. his hat falling on his head.
"A close call" he said. coolly. as he
picked up his riddled headgear and
gazed az the groove cut in the crown
/ by bullet Well, all his ammunition
- gone, anyway What's next to
be done?-
l turned the crank vigorously and
the end OF the rope appeared. but the
bucket was missing. The rope had
been cut clean through with knife.
Whose claim is this2" I inquired Of
the miner.
"Jackson's. that's me-" was the re-
ply. There's 25-foot level at the
bottom OF the shaft and a hole for
ventilation over there"
He pointed to a small mound not far
from the ore dump.
Gould man get through the ven
tilator shaftY' / asked.
He might; but there's no ladder
I there. Here's one. but"
Jackson stopped short and pointed
TO the mouth OF the shaft. Shercline's
head was disappearing from view.
sprang forward 20 pull him back. but
he was out OF reach and descending
the ladder rapidly.
Johnny. you fool. come back here"
1 shouted. but that cheerful youth only
responded with a hooking laugh. and /
saw that there was no chance to inter
fere. Catching the rope. I started in
the direction OF the air shaft and the
Windlass again groaned in response to
the pull
What's the move now?" demanded
Jackson
I'm going down that ventiIator
hole" was my response. You cut that
rope loose when it's ali run out"
The words had scarcely lert my
mouth when the sound OF an explosion
followed and a volume OF smoke
rushed from the shaft
Somebody set on that hole Bill had
loaded" yelled Jackson Them fell
lows Will all be killed by flying rocks
or smothered by the fumes"
Perhaps not" l said. hopefully.
That air shaft should clear the mine
quickly. But come along and help me
get down the venulator"
Together We fastened one end of the
rope AZ the surface and allowed the
| other 10 drop below. Grasping It tight
~. ] lowered myself into the narrow
| opening. The descent was anything
bat pleasant. taking into consideration
the disagroeable and sickening fumes
OF the blast, but 81 last faint light
greeted my eyes and ] stood at ths
bottom Of the shaft. Advancing eau
tiously ! reached a ledge on which
stood burning candle and as the
smoke cleared away crept forward, re-
Volver In hand. Suddenly caught
sight OF two figures locked In a deadly
embrace. writhing and twisting on the
ground The uppermost was Johnny,
that underneath the giant form OF
Grierson.
For an instant ] stood gripping my
revolver by the barrel, anxious to
strike, yet afraid OF injuring Sherclifre,
so closely knit together were the strug-
Cling forms. Although Grierson was
underneath. such was the vitality OF
his iron frame and so furious his at
tsmpts to dislodge his antagonist that
Shercline with all his athletic train
Ing and bull dog courage could DO no
more than hold the advantage he pos
sessed. But at last Johnny managed
to shift his right hand from the out
laws shoulder to his throat and as
Grferson.s head went back to tbs