Year: 1879

found that from the barred window
in which there was broken pane ct
glass, good view of the stable could be
had. l.


Then for the other window.


I crossed the room, drew aside the
heavy curtain, and, raising the sash, look
ed out.


A single glance was sufficient to cause
me thrill of surprise. and | gave a low
exclamation that instantly brought Bose
to my side.


Far below could see the faint glim-
mer of water, the low murmur of which
came indistinctly up from the depths.
while on level with what should have
been the ground, dimly saw the wav-
fore the fresh night breeze, and knew
that the window overlooked chasm,
the surroundings of which [ could only
guess at.


In other words, the house, or that
portion of 1t, was built upon the very
verge of the cliff, the solid rock forming
foundation more lasting than any that
could be made by the hands of man.


| leaned far out. and saw there was
not an inch of space left between the
heavy log on which the structure rested
and the edge of the precipice and then
I turned away with the full conviction
thatif escape must be made, 1t certainly
would not be made in that direction.
There was nothing especially strange IN
this there are many houses so construct
ed had seen one or two myself-and
vet when drew back into the room and
saw the look in Bosses face, | felt that
danger quick and deadly was lowering
in the air.


Without speaking I went to my sad
dle-bags and got out my pistols-a su,
perb pair of long double rifles. that l
knew to be accurate anywhere under


half hundred yards.


"Dar denis what | like to see y ex-
claimed Bose, as he dived down into his


bags and ished out an old horse pistol
which had belonged to my grandfather,
and which l knew was loaded to the
muzzle with No. l buckshot. 1t was a
terrible weapon at close quarters.
The stables in which our horses were


feeding could be watched. and by event;
transpiring in that locality we would


shape our actions. | found that the
{ door could be locked from the inside
: and in addition to this, / improvised
bar by means of chair leg wrenchet
u off and thrust through a heavy irol
g staple that had been driven in the wall
IS It's fellow on the opposite side was miss


ing.


q We then lifted the clothes press be
E fore the window, leaving just roor
T. enough on one side to clearly see. anc
if necessary, fire through dragged tn
III bureau against the door with as littl


noise as possible, and felt that every
5 thing that was possible had been done.
P A deathlike stiffness reigned over ii


place, broken emily once by the voice
~ the colored girl singing as she crosse
H. the stable yard.


ne had fallen into half doze, seat'
as in chair near the window facing &


stables, where Bose was on the watc
n when suddenly l felt a slight touch up
ad my arm and the voice of the faithf
IN sentinel in my ear.


irl "Wake mp, Mars Ralph; dey's fool


bout de stable doc arter de hors
m. shuah," brought me wide awake to l
ar feet.


the Cautiously peeping out, | saw at


glance that Bose was right in his c(
VS. iecture-there were two of them-e
for standing out in the clear moonlight, e
,ot, IDENTIFY watching my window, while
ok. other-and | fancied it was the la1
hen lord-was in the shadow near the dc
,r. which at that moment slowly swl
'ou- open.
- AS the man disappeared within


building. low, keen whistle cut


air, and at the same instant heard
me :, knob of my door cautiously tried.
'''- A low hiss from Bose brought me


his side, from the door where | had b
~ listening.


ing 'Dey's got de horses out in de yal


he whispered, as he drew aside to
liter me look out through the broken pane
teri ..Take the door," | said, "and
toie through ii they attack. | am going
IN shoot that fellow holding the horses.


"Ioriy. Mars Ralph. it's de ia
the keeper. He amt no count. Drop
him big man Pc was the sensible ad
to- which | determined to adopt.
alns' Noiselessly drawing aside the cur
prop | rested the muzzle of my pistol on


sash where the light had been br
the away, and drew bead upon the ia
by of the two men who stood holding,
next in the bright moonlight.
leard The sharp crack of the weapon
,eant Instantly followed by yell of pain
also | saw the rufian reel backward.
with measure his length upon the earth,
,tions then from the main building there