The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1915-11-05

de closed the door OF the shack and
went out to the overhangtng cliff. The
mountains lifted grim, dark shoulders
to the bright sunshine.
The four men were in consultation
at the brink OF the precipice. They
scattered a little at Blake's approach.
i was saying" said Andrews craft
LILY. that | wish there was some other
way to get to the bottom VI this here
hole. But don't know how -,
There isn't any other way" said
Jack as he frightened his belt and slip
ped the moose OF the new rope under
bis armpits. 49,. ..... +..... ~ ~
When you reach the bottom you
yank the rope three times" said Peter
son. Then we lower another rope for
Patsy or what's left Of him" ...
"Goodby." said Jack, and without Of
fertng To shake hands with them lie
sat down on the edge OF the cliff,
The other end OF the long rope was
securely fastened to tree. 80.
Gently they eased the rope until
Blake swung In under the brow Of the
cliff, out OF their sight. .
The rope quivered through their IN
gers, tnutened and suddenly raced
scorchingly through, and the severed
end vanished into space.
There followed crushing sound and
long afterward faint thud. after that
the echo OF II laugh. .
The four breathed heavily and wiped
the sweat from their faces. Andrews,
who had bought his own life from Pc
terson, slipped the knife back into his
pocket. They went into the nearest
shack and drank heavily. ~. ~ d..
= ... !; : . 90
Jack Blake looked down at the jun
bled rocks far below as he dangled at
|, the ropes end.
just then he swung under the cliff;
something grasped him firmly, and he
was drawn to II safe footing on mar
row ledge thirty feet from the top Of
the prrcipice. ....s 49,.
He gasped when he gazed into the
grinning face Of Patsy Denton.
"Whisht!' cautioned Patsy, finger on
lip. Come inside. Blake, and listen to
me yarn" .-.. .# &'-:... "
Then you didn't fall down-you
were not hurtT" asked Jack in amaze
ment ..:.-.
Patsy's face darkcned.
NO thanks to them numbering VII
lains that I'm not dead" he said.
"'Twas Peterson himself pushed me
over. What are ye doin' down here?"
Game after your remains" laughed
Jack ... e.. H.. .#.. So. .".
Meantime Patsy had tugged persist
emily nj the rope. ... -...... .
Suddenly he chung tightly TO the face
OF the cliff and as the length Of the
severed rope hurted down from above
Patsy Denton managed to kick out
large stone
When the stone struck the bottom Of
the gorge Patsy laughed thinly. 4
"That's where we'd be, ehT" ~.
For all they know we are down
there" snid Jack significantly. But
what shall we do, Patsy
Come along" said Denton, leading
the way along the six foot shelf.
when was pushed over yesterday
me hands went fyin out to catch hold
Of somethin', and what should grab
but that old granddaddy Of root,
yonder, and swung In until me
toes gripped the earth. clawed hold
Of It It's thankful am that I'm a
little whIffet OF Teller; the old root
would have busted sure II you'd caught
II, Blaker''
They walked along the ledge until
they reached triangular opening In
the cliff wall They squeezed through |
and found themselves In a crevasse or |
part of a natural cave.
Patsy scratched match.
Look" he said tensely.
Jack Blake looked open mouthed- |
There was dull yellow glitter In the
rocky walls OF the crevasse.
Gold! The lost VEIN muttered |
Jack as he scanned the rich outcrop-
ping. II believe it's under your own
claim. Patsy
mo, 'tisnt. I've figured its under
nobody's claim yet You and me will
file against 1t, Ell: Shure. didn't you
come down after me dead corpser
He grinned
Then Jack told him about the draw
ing Of lots and how he had drawn the
ace OF spades.
Twas lucky card for you,
Blake" said Patsy. Now. I'm most /
I'm thinkin' 'twould be a
good idea 10 steal along this passage
and-see, 1t slopes up-hnally come out
on the other side OF the hill behind
fure bush It's food I'm wantin'
lad!'
III you can wait until dark sug-
gested Jack, 1--WE can help ourselves.
Meantime forget your hunger II you
ian. Let us talk about the girls walt
Ing for US back home"
II was 10 O'Clock The four conspir-
ltors were playing cards and drinking,
Suddenly Peterson pointed shaking
1nger at the window,
"Lookr' he shrieked
They turned and saw two white faces
PRESSED against the pane.
''Ghosts" yelled Andrews and fed
INTO the night
The other three followed at break.