The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1916-03-31

her the feeling that after all, she was
weak. ana always must be weak;
whereas. he, her late enemy, was
strong and always would be strong
She was content to cover down behind
him and leave the event to him.
The noise Of the oncoming melee be-.
hind them grew In volume now as
Count Frederick turned to face the
shaggy ngure OF the man who but new
had been the captor Of Kitty Gray.
The mu2zle OF the pistol pressing TO
his face spoke louder than any words
seemed, indeed, to restore to him a
part OF the reason he had lost through
dwelling here among the savages, on
a shore upon which he had been cast
unknown years earlier. lie threw w
his hands now. "Avast, there. cap
tain!' he cried. Il surrender"
Who are your" demanded Count
Frederick. or what are your"
The half-demented creature passed
a hand across his face. blessed II !
could tell you the truth about that
sir" he said, "and that's the truth. Blu;
seems to me | remember | was once
Old Jimmy Wainwright of the ship Ad
venture. out of Clyde. It's maybe we
were cast away somewhere years
since, and I'm thinking Adam wac
then a boy. Delay ALI Friend cap.
tain, your honor, don't shoot old jim.
my Wainwright, II so be am him.
But what are you doing down here
under the earth, mani"
Captain, your honor, sir, 4 came
here to live safe. | kill some OF them
black folks once in a while. They
think I'm crazy, and maybe they're
right. How can | tell, captain, your
honor, sir?"
You know this placer" exclaimed
frederick. Thus far We are sale, but
listen to them coming"
"Ay, ay. sir; hghting like cats and
dogs. They always do. We must cut
ami run, or they'll kill us all, and put
us in the big fire yonder. Don't
low? I've seed sights a plenty up
thtre. | couldn't a.bcared to seen the
white lady burned.
Lead ont said Frederick, quickly.
I'VE must hide, or 1t will be too late.
This way, captain, your honor, sir!
And bear a hand lively!"
Count Frederick and Kitty Gray FOL.
lowed him as he fed deeper into the
caveruOus interior Of the lava hill.
They'turned corner after corner. until
at length the sounds of the pursuit be.
came fainter and died away far at the
rear.
"'Ere's my ONE, sir" began the Old
sailor at last, as they paused before O
rude cabin, which showed some g#i
mal.like proof of human occupancy
Wen be safe ere, I'm thinking
But they were not safe for long. The
keen instinct OF the savage t]railers
tot In the blood lust which now pos
sessed them, brought them on ulti
matcly along the trail, and 10 its end
They heard the savage shouts Of ,ho,r
r-:suers gaining In volume, heard th,
thud of their hare feet on the rocky
aoors. A moment, and the yelling band
stood before the entrance to theiI
cavern.
The natives were spearmcn. and
their shafts were cast with strength
and accuracy. Those b]eleaEuercd ono.
aad no shields with which to parry
such weapons and yet for one instant
q barrier was offered to the assault.
With a savage, ~half.animal roar
the old sailor-whose fun history
" was TO be known-cast himself
IN front OF his new friend, ]opposlng
his shaggy breast to the levelcc
spears. He fell pierced by a dozen
shafts, still roaring his defiance. Abov,
his body now spoke again aud agar
the weapon OF Count Frederick. 4
half dozen dusky forms fell and flleC
up the opening. The savaEcs benin,
gave back and sought to fee.
This instant OF their hesitation gave
Frederick n more opportunity
Catching Kitty by the arm he passed
back to the rear Of the little cavern
in the hope there might be egres'
that way-foT surely the wall OF stee
in front could not be passed. II,
found ia narrow passageway. Pant
ing and GREATNESS, stumbling. faliinl
and rising, the two hurried on unit
at length they heard no more in theil
oars the din of fighting.
The passage way now seemed grad
ually to rise, it's walls closing in. A
length, far ahead, they saw a fain
tinge Of light. II deepened as the!
advanced, until at length II becam,
visible through a broken aperture be
yond which shone the full light o
day. Gasping their Joy at this, the!
hurried up and on unt,i at length thei
feet stood upon the surface of tina
earth TO which they had been accus
toned.
It vas a strange and new seem
/, which lay before them now. Their
[ was no path that they could see-th,
mouth Ct the cavern came out at tn,
top of a high clin. Far below then
ran the sea, blue.tinged and ripplin.
80 A. IL NJ. a-H