Year: 1872

before me, and as remembered how biting
want was dragging her down to her grave,
l grew desperate.


"Pm your man, Tom, risk or no risk.
I'll be there to my timonever fear me-"


He grasped the hand held out, left a
shilling in it, and with nod walked on,
leaving me with q weight on my con-
science that had never rested upon it be-
fore. All that day and the next, could
not meet Marys eye without feeling as
If Iswere hiding crime from her.


When evening came told her was
wanted for little job Of moving at the
next village. and should not be home till
late. She never doubted the tale, but
smiled and kissed me when went away,
leading old Bob by the bride. and fancy
ing that had never seen darker night,
nor heard the wind moan 80 dismally be-
fore.


Riders Cave Is situated in one of the
most lonely parts of the Cornish coast and
there Is not house within couple OF
miles of the spot. After riding for about
half an hour, came out Of the lanes on
to the beach, and another mile or 80 along
the foot Of the cliffs brought me to the
the cave. As rode into it heard voice
say cautiously, "All right. John, the boat
will be here directly" and was not sor-
~ to find Tom Davies mounted on cob
alongside Of me.


Handing me flask with some brandy
in it, he bade me take nip; at the same
time telling me with no little glee that
the "coasties were mapping, and we
should do them jolly!


After waiting some few minutes we
heard the regular click Of oars in the row.
locks, followed by the grating of boats
keel on the shingle.


We rode out and soon had several par
ces strapped on either side Of the horses;
then with scarcely word spoken we set
off; Tom giving me instructions where
to leave my load. and adding that II would
be as well to part as soon as we got off the
beach.


Away we went; but only to find out first
Just as we quilted the shore-that the
Coast-guardsmen were not mapping after
all; two Of them sprang upon US from
behind q boulder, and clutched at the
horses brides; but the creatures swerved,
and that saved us.


"Spur for your life!" muttered Tom in
my ear, at the same moment riding his
staunch little cob right at the men, saw
one Of them roll over op the sand, while
the other jumped aside shouting to US to
stop, but we never paused until we were
some distance down the lane leading from
the beach. Then Tom pulled up. 1--WE
must part now" he said. Keep to the
right and ride hard, for they will cut you
Off If they can where the lane winds to-
ward the coast but give the nag whip
and spur, and you will be there before
them. Off with you " and so we parted.


After Tom had left me l began to re-
member how akwardly close to the shore
the windings Of the lane brought it, and
how easy 1t would be for swift runners to
take q short cut across some fields and
como up with me. Bitterly regretted
being led into such dangerous affair and
telling myself, with clenched teeth that
for Mary's sake wouldn't be taken.
rode en- more furiously than before.


The nearer I got to the sea, the more I
dreaded surprise, and 1t seemed as if
were SO long threading the ins and outs of
my road, that they must be the first to reach
the spot where anticipated danger Sud
denly was seized with the idea that if
could leap the hedge l might evade them.
and quick as thought put Bob at the
dark line of thorn bushes that loomed
ahead, Just where the lane made the last
sharp turn toward the beach.


remember the rising in the air, the
crash through the top of the hedge, and
my own fall, which was followed by the
most uuearthly yell it is possible to i'm
agine-a shrek that seemed to die away
into the bowels of the earth. Then
hundred stars danced before my eyes
there was strange dizziness in my head
all grew dark and knew no more.


How long lay before coming to my
self cannot tell; lor could l recollect,
for considerable time after my senses
returned, what it was that had happened.
Numbed with the intense cold, was ly-
ing on my back with the wind shrieking
above me- but where was the horse? and
what meant the awful yell heard after
taking the leap?


l found that was lying on slope,
and turning over on my right side
reached out ono hand intending to lean
upon it and raise myself. To my horror
grasped nothing, fort makes me shud-
der to think Of i'll had turned over into
the mouth Of partly disused pit Already
l was hanging half within 1t. and while
struggling TO recover my balance. could
feel myself slowly but surely slipping fur
ther into the hideous gulf yawning to re-
ceive me. 1 gave one cry for mercy, and
grasped wildly about till succeeded in


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