Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-11-17

foot slippgL-- -. INK INTO the ground |
up to his waist.
Help" he cried, q quicksand-
help"
The Brute pulled him back to terra |
firma. But it was not a quicksand, as |
Ponto soon found out. 1t was trap |
"a trap for jaguars.
Ponto shivered. Then he replaced |
the dried brush and grass and earth. ,
Nimbly he climbed into one of the |
overhanging trees. Then he slid down, |
nodding to himself with satisfaction.
She must pass within a hundred
yards of this place to reach the mis-
sion," he exclaimed. Beast, we wait
here until she comes"
Down in the village, at the little old
hotel, Annette ordered out two horses.
'I can't wait" she told her foster
mother, Mrs. Hardin. There's no use
talking to me. I've got to CO."
Annette started for the mission.
Half way there two figures darted out
from behind a hillock, and one of them
seized her bride and brought her
steed to a standstill Terror-stricken,
Annette saw that the two were Ponto
and the Brute-two of the band of
desperadoes whom she feared.
Drag her off her horse" command
ed Ponto of the Brute. The Brute
, obeyed. Ponto gave the horse a cut
with the whip and the horse ambled
OFF toward town.
At his command the Brute carried
Annette across the desert, totally OBJ
livious to her struggles and outcries.
Ponto led the way, stopping from time
to time to make pleasant remarks to
Annette.
By this time they had reached the
small, damp, dank oasis with its shad-
ing palms and it's little pool of water.
Ponto led the way into the very depths
of this inviting green shelter. Then
he struck the Brute on the shoulder.
Now set her down." he commanded
The Brute obeyed. Annette gasped
with surprise. She was not bound
she was free, untrammeled.
What are you going to do with
me?" queried Annette
Nothing, senorita," returned Ponto,
bowling low.
Annette, wary, fearful, looked be-
hind her as though she expected an
attack from the rear. But there was
no one to be seen. Beyond was the
desert-there seemed to be no hiding
! places.
Ponto merely bowed again. "Seno-
rita," he said, with a leer, beauty
In distress-ah melt touches my
heart always. See. The mission lies
yonder-behind you. Your path lies
there. You are free"
Annette turned. Keeping her glance
over her shoulder, to be ready for
treachery, she slowly proceeded on
her way.
Suddenly. without warning, she sank
1 into the pit.
Ponto laughed in glee. THE stakes
they are like knives" he cried-they
are deadly-they are for jaguars-and
little wildcat heiresses-oh, yes"
With cry, Annette found herself
falling helplessly into the unknown
terror underneath.
"Help-help-help," she cried.
With a bound the Brute was upon
her. He darted to the very edge of
the pit, and with the surefootedness of
an animal crouched there, throwing
his entire body forward and catching
her by the shoulders just as she dis
appeared from sight. He drew her
IN - hoH
he done so, however than Ponto was
upon them both. knife in hand, his
teeth literally gnashing with rage.
He hurled savage knife-thTust at
the BruIe--and missed. Then ne threw
himself upon Annette and hale tore
her in his frenzy from the Brute's
grasp, cutting and slashing at them
both with his wicked knife.
I've got you now, you little wild
cat" he painted IN cultural Spanish,
down you co.
He thrust her savagely into the pit.
Once more the Brute caught hcr-and
in so doing swung the three of then
around. SO that their positions were
reversed. Ponto, throwing caution to
the winds, kept lunging at the two
with his sharp weapon.
I'll get you both," he yelled, "I1l
get you both.''
A moment later he was clawing at
the air-5ut It was too late Making
frantic struggle to preserve his ball
ance, he tottered over backward.
There was the crash OF heavy body
fallihg-a tearing, thudding sound-a
ghastly, hideous scream - then ST.
lence.