The Washington times., 1918-09-13
CHAPTER CXXXV.
A Friend in Need.

Luckily, my face was turned Closely
TO the rock, and I resisted the temp
tation TO glance over my shoulder.
/ had to look carefully TO my feet
and test every step before ! took II,
and il in those first minutes l had
reached any spot where there was
nothing for my hands to grasp, then
my trial would have come to i
speedy conclusion. For in this de-
scent my hands were, if anything, or
greater use than my feet. and II is
very lucky that I have strong Wrists
and have accustomed myself since
boyhood to gymnastic exercises.
"Once only did a realization of the
terrors before and behind me take
possession OF my mind, and in that
terrible. moment ! nearly lost my
foothold and fell. II had seemed TO
me that heard a movement from
above, and had fancied that l was
discovered, that my progress was
being watched with laughing un-
concern, and had attempted to lift
my head to see. Immediately my
feet slipped and had I not retained
q firm hold with my hands nothing
could have saved me. The whole
weight OF my body was on my mr.
gers, and for a few seconds L hung
SUSPENDED. Then somehow con-
trived to draw myself up so that l
felt the path beneath my feet again.
When I recovered from the
shock, l noticed that it was an
iron ring which l had grasped. and
which had lent me such timely aid.
I came across many other such
rings during my descent; they had
evidently been placed there for the
assistance OF those who had once
made use Of the path.
"At last 1 reached the ledge upon
which grew the solitary tree. but
even here, though ! might have
done so, would not rest. Not till
] had reached the recess. with its
protruding spur OF rock. upon
which lay the body OF my adveT-
sary, would I think Of hating. 1
must reach that recess, and then
but would not allow myself any
contemplation Of what might hap
pen afterward.
81 gave a rapid glance at the way
I must go. and then set of again.
was descending now by the aid OF
she protruding fragments OF rock
which constituted a sort of stair
whole, though the distances be-
tween the step were occasionally
alarming; still there was always
something for my hands TO hold
firmly to while l lowered myself
from projection TO projection. II
had but possessed a rope. the pO-
sition would not have been so ter
rifying
Gln
toward the recess. / chung 20 the
last step from which had just de-
scended. and glanced down the way
! must go. To my hoPor / saw
that the gypsy had moved from the
danEerous position in which he
had been lying, and was now sitting
up. watching me intently. Then
not even the fall had killed himi
He was there, my enemy. awaiting
me. and one thrust OF his hand de-
liyered before had set my feet on
the safe prominence where he stood
would - enough to put an end to
all my hopes OF escape. How came
II that he had not been killed: 1t
seemed an impossibility, a miracle,
and for a moment 1 thought thar
my own great peril must have
turned my brain.
My heart sank, and I gave my
self up for lost. / struggled on,
but my efforts were almost me-
chanicaL Ny own blood was flow
ing. for more than once 1 had been
struck in the face by falling
stones; one had cut my forehead
and the blood dripped into my
eyes l saw through a veil OF red.
And so ii was almost in a con-
dition OF collapse that ] reached
within a step or two of my goal. 1
believe that even then / should have
loosed my hold and allowed myself
TO fsll-for a faintness had come
over me and ! was about to succumb
10 ft-had not a hand been stretched
out. a hand which seized and in
stead OF thrustinE me down as !
had anticipated. drew me with q
powerful jerk into a place OF safety.
II sank down. fainting, upon q
bed OF soft grass. and for a few
moments all my troubles were for
gotten in oblivion.
when I recovered I found that
the gypsy had bathed my forehead
there was no lack of water-and
mat he was pouring a few drops
down my throat. ] cannot tell you
AT that moment. Ny lips and mouth
seemed absolutely parched. Luckily
my hurts were not serious. and I
had tainted from sheer exhaustion
rather than loss OF blood.
$50 IL was not long before ! was
able to sit up and consider the sit
nation. And my first action was to
clutch the hand OF the man who had
been my enemy and thank him for
what he had done.
~ thought you would have killed
me | said family.
He spoke first in his native Ian
euage. and then seeing that ! did
not understand. addressed nc in
German. His remarks were in ap-
probation OF the feat which had
Just accomplished.
81 did not think it possible he
He had bound Up his own
wounds-rOughly. but sufficiently
enough to staunCh the bleeding. ]
had struck him. twice with the dag
ger, but the wounds had not been
deep. though they had been enough
70 cause him momentary fsintness
when he found himself on the brink
Of the precipice. He had fallen into
a mass OF shrubs which grew on
the verge OF the little promontory
and had sustained no damage.
After a few moments he was able
10 pull himself together and watch
my perflous descent.
"T did not think II possible he
repeated over and over again.
Tie was not 4 bad fellow, this
gypsy. as he turned out, and he
bore me no malice. He showed