Year: 1878




was at supper, and, by cautiously creep
ing into the stall next the one in which
they stood, had heard enough to oconvince
her that they meant mischief Subse-
quently to this, she also saw the landlord
in close confab with the entire partyyan
from his actions judged that he was urg
ing them on in their nefarious work.


Il tell you, Mars Ralph, dem white
trash amt arter no good-now you heard
me" " persisted Bose.


l had begun to think so myself but
what was 10 be done2 Thesituation was
full of embarrassment, and l felt that
nothing could be done save to wait and
watch, and, by being on the alert, defeat
their plans by a determined resistance.


/ found that from the barred window,
in which there was a broken pane of
glass, a good view of the stable could be
had. Then, for the other window, l
crossed the room, drew aside the helvy
curtain, and, raising the sash, looked out.
\ single glance was sufficient to cause
me thrill of surprise, and gave low
exclamation that instantly brought Bose
to my side. Far below l could see the
faint glimmer of water, the low murmer
of which came indistinctly up from the
depths, while, on a level with what
should have been the ground, | dimly
saw the waving tree tops as they gently
swayed before the fresh night breeze,
and knew that the window overlooked a
chasm, the soundings of which 1 could
only guess at In other words,th house,
or that portion of it, was built npon the
very verge of cliff, the solid rock form
ing foundation more lasting than any
that could be made by the hands of man.
| leaned far out, and saw that 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
| turned away with full conviction that,
if escape must be made, it certainly
would not be in that direction. There
was nothing very strange in this; there
were many houses so constructed. L
had seen one or two myself. And yet
when l drew back into the room, and
saw the look in Boses dusky face, / felt
that danger, quick and deadly, was how
ering in the air. Without speaking, l
went to my saddle bags and got out my
double rifies-that l knew to be accurate
anywhere under half hundred yards.


"Darl denis what 1 like to see!" ex-
claimed Bose, as he diyed down into his
own bag and fished out the old horse
pistol that had belonged to my grand
father, and which l knew was loaded to
the muzzle with number one buckshot.
1t was terrible wepon at close quar-
ters.


The stables in which our horses were
feeding could be watched, and by events
transpiring in that locality we would
shape our actions. | found the door
could be locked from the inside, and, in
addition to this, improvised bar by
means of chair leg wrenched off and
thrust through heavy iron staple that
had been driven into the wall. Its fellow
on the opposite side was missing We
then lifted the clothes press before the
window, leaving just room enough on
one side to clearly see, and, if necessary,
fire through; dragged the bureau against
the door with as little noise as possible.
and felt that everything that was possible
had been done.


A deathlike silence reigned over the
place, broken only once by the voice Of
the colored girl singing as she crossed
the stable yard. had fallen into half
doze. seated in a chair near the window
facing the stable where Bose was on
watch, when suddenly L felt light
touch upon my arm and the voice cf the
faithful sentinel in my ear.


Wake up, Mars; dey's foolin' bout de
stable do arter de horses, shuah,
brought me wide awake to my feet.


Cautiously peeping out, l saw at a
glance that Bose WAS right in his conjec-
lures. There we're two of them-one
standing out in the clear moonlight, evi
IDENTIFY watching my window, while the
other-and / fancied it was the landlord
was in the shadow near the door, which
at that moment slowly swung open. AS
the man disappeared within the build
ing, low, keen whistle cut the air, and
at the same instant heard the knob of
my door cautiously tried. The thing
was now plain. While those below were
securing the horses, those above were
either attempting to gain access with
murderous intent, or else on guard to
prevent my coming to the rescue of my
property.


A low hiss from Bose brought me to
his side from the door where had been
listening.


"Dey's got de horses out in de yard
he whispered, as he drew aside to let me
look out through the broken pane.


Take the door," l said, "and fire
through if they attack. 1 am going to
shoot that fellow holding the horses.


"Lordy, Mars Ralph, it's de tavern.
keeper He amt no count. Drop de
big mani" was the sensible advice, which
l determined to adopt.


Noiselessly drawing aside the curtain,
rested the muzzle of my pistol upon
the sash where the light had been brok
en- away, and drew a bead upon the tai
lest of the two men, who stood holdin
three horses out in the bright moonlight
The sharp crack of the weapon was in
stantly followed by a yell of pain, and
saw the ruffian reel backward and meas
ure his length upon the earth, and then
from the main building there rang out


Murder! Murder Oh, helpT


Like lightning it flashed across my
mind. There were three horses out in
the open lot There was another trav
eler besides ourselves. A heavy blow
descended upon the door, and voice
roared:


@Quickl Burst the internal thing open
and let me get at him! The scoundre
has killed Dave ~


"Let them have it, Bose, l whispered
rapidly reloading my pistol. There
the second panel"


With a steady hand the plucky fellow
leveled the huge weapon and pulled the
trigger.


A deafening report followed, and again
a shrill cry of mortal anguish told tina
the shot had not been wasted.


"Sabe us how it do kick~ exclaim