Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 January 1892 — ROYAL RANGER RALPH; OR The Waif of the Western Prairies. [ARTICLE]

ROYAL RANGER RALPH; OR The Waif of the Western Prairies.

* The Waif of the Western Prairies, * BY WELDON J. COBB. CHAPTER XXlll—Continued. Darrel seized the bandit’s arm and forced him through the doorway. Despard made no resistance a> Brown snatched his revolver from his belt Standing in the darkness near the door was a queer-looking vehicle with a rear grated door. “Get in,” ordered the Sheriff, steraly. “What am I arrested for?” demanded Despard. “Ne'er mind; if you don't want to be lynched you obey orders ” “This is an o d treasure wagon, and 6tout and secure,” ;aid Brown to Darrel. “There is a driver?” “Yes.” “And he has orders to proceed to Miners’ Gulch?” “Exactly. Here is the key t® tire vehicle. Get in with your prisoner, and leave before the miners know of the capture. ” “There was an aooompl ico of this man. " “Where is he?” “Escaped.” “I'll try and find him. Drive ahead.” Darrel sprang into the vehicle and closed the door. It shut with a spring lock. Darrel held his revolver ready for use. Despard, sullen and silent, sat glaring fiercely at him. The vehicle left the plqf e and started for the mountain iroads. The capture of the bandit had been aocomp ished most expeditiously. Darrel well knew, however, that he must he very watchful of so wily a foe. For over an hour not a word was spoken, and the vehicle proceeded on its way. There was a smaill -shelf in the forward part of the wagon. Here a little lamp cast dim rays of light ever the Interior. “I think I know you ait last,’’remarked Despard, finally, in a sullen, sneering tone of voice. , “Indeed!” “Yes. You are'the ifriend of Ranger Ralph.” “And his avenger. ” “You expect to prove me to'be his assassin?” “And thatef the ethers —yes. ” “Where are you taking me?” “To Miners’ Gulch.” This seemed to alarm and subdue Despard, for he relapsed Into silence A casual glance from the rear barred window showed that the vehicle was slowly treading a dangerous road on the ■very edge of the mountains. Suddenly he started. He was positive that .a figure on horseback had fitted by the vehicle. A minute later there was a shot It was succeeded by a cry for help.and then a fall. “Whoa!” The horses came to a halt. The voice was that of Danton. A revolver was thrust through the b&rs. Its possessor was sheltered by the darkness beyond. “Move, an,d you are a dead man,” spoke Danton’s voice. “Whoever you are, you are in deadly peril. Icau see your every movement. Listen to what I say. ” These words were directed to Darrel. He clutched his revolver and was silent “Your driver I have disposed of,” spoke Danton, “You are in my power. Despard, who is this man?” “The scout’s friend. ” “Grey?” “Yes. ” “Mr. Grey, you will first hand out the revolver you have in your hand. ” Darrel moved as if to obey Danton’s request Instead, he raised it suddenly and fired. Danton drew back. The horses, alarmed at the shot, started off. With tremendous velocity the vehicle was dragged down a steep grade. Without a driver they dashed madly forward One glauce Showed Darrel their awful peril. They were so near the edge of the precipice that it seemed as if it would go'Over the edge of the declivity. Despard himself, terrified, sprang excitedly to Ms feet A yawning abyss showed as the wagon struck a tree. The horses broke 100 e and dashed away. The vehicle tottered, crashed, and fell over .the steep mountain road.

CHAPTER XXIV. A THRILLING ADVENTURE, It was some minute# 'before the two men in the locked wagon box could fully realize what had occurred. They knew that the horses had run .away, and, the wagon colliding with a tree, they had dashed madly onward, deserting the vehicle. The wagon had tottered on the brink of the abyss, and tjien. .turning, jell downward. Darrel Grey caught .one glimpse of the gloomy depths of the vaLley below, and gave himse f iup for lost. To his amazement. the wagon whirled downward only a few feet Then it .came to an abrupt halt. Its sudden stoppage brought him and Despard together with a shock. Amid the excitement and peril of the occasion, Darrel thought not of treachery on the part of his companion. The latter seemed paralyzed with terror, and his face was white and craven. “We are doomed!” he muttered, In a frightened tone. “Not at all,” replied Darrel. “We are enemies. Dyke Despard, but lor onee we had better act ill unison. * • “Anything to escape a fall into that dark abyss. ” Despard shuddered as he pointed to the yawning depths below. The lamp in the wagon had been extinguished by the shock cf the fa I, but the moonlight outside revealed their surroundings plainly. Darrel soon learned their real situation. The wagon lay on its side, about ten feet beiow the edge of the road. It had fallen partly on a shelf of rook, parti y’aeross a tree, and these supported it temporarily. The hod was a frail one, however, and the least dislodgment might send them whirling to death a hundred feet below. Darrel groped his way to the door and unlocked it. “If I allow you to follow me, will you agree to make no resistance?” he asked of Despard “I promise,” replied the outlaw eagerly. “Very well; by clinging to the shrubs and rocks we can reach the cliff.” Darrel stepped out the door ana clambered over the shelving rock. By careful c imbing he reached the cliff in safety. He aided Despard, who had followed him, to reach the same place. Both breathed relievedly at their marvelous escape %-om death. Darrel was once more on his guard, and the relentless captor, as he clasped his revolver in his hand. “March on,” he said, gently, “we have lost time. ” He glanced up and down the deserted mountain road There was no trace of either Danton or the horses that had broken loose from the wagon. “Hold on, ” said Despard. “Well, what is it?” “You intend to take me to Miners’ Uulch?”

•Yes. * “What for?” “Can you ask? Your many crimes!" “It will be poor satisfaction to you." “Why?" “You are losing tiraa ” “In what way?” asked Darrel. “In seeking revenge on me, you are leaving your friends in danger. ” “What friends?” “Ranger Ralph and the girl, Inez Tracey?” “Ranger Ralph is dead.” “No; he escaped at the old hermit’s cave. I saw him. ’’ “Allowing that, he can take care of himself.” “But the girl. She is a prisoner with the Modocs. See here: I’m willing to help you find her, if yo.i will allow me my liberty. ” “No; I shall place yo i in safe hands. Then I shall find the girl alone and unaided. March on!” Desp’ard obeyed the mandate, and started down the road with a sullen face. The menace of Darrel's revolver was sufficient to make him an abject and unresisting captive. Not a word was spoken as the journey was resumed. Darrel resolved to convey his prisoner to the next mining settlement, and there make known his crimes, and return to search for the driver of the wagon, who had been shot by Danton. Later, he learned that the driver had escaped with a slight wound. For over an hour the lonely tramp continued. Several times, as they came to where the road wa3 more tortuous, Darrpl pa ised. He imagined he could hear horses’ hoofs in the distance, but finally attributed the sound to some ravine waterway or cataract He was not aware that a wily foe was upon his trail, that Despard’s accomplice, Danton, had followed them, intent ‘on rescuing the former As they rounded a point of rocks, Grey started quickly. Too late to avoid a catastrophe, Darrel e sayed to fire at an advancing foe sudden y revealed behind them. It was Danton, and he was on horseback. With a deft movement a lasso shot out from the saddle bow. The rope enclosed his form, pinioning his arms tightly. The revolver fell to the ground. With a cry of fierce delight Despard seized it. Danton gave the lasso a tightening jerk, secured the other end round his waist, and faced his captive with malignant joy depicted on his evil face. “The tables are turned, my friend,” he jeered. Darrel was silent with discomfiture and chagrin. Despard proceeded to see that the lasso was firmly tied around the prisoner. “We won’t delay here,” remarked Danton. “Some of this man’s friends may be on our trail. Come along, Captain. ” Danton urged forward his horse. Despard walked by his side conversing with him. Darrel was compelled to keep pace with them, secured to the other end of the rope. He could hear enough of the conversation of his captors to knew that they were discussing his fate. He made every effort possible to release his hands, and had almost succeeded in getting one arm loose, when Danton suddenly halted. “What is it?” asked Despard. “Look ahead.” “A fire!” “Yes.” “Perhaps a camp-fire of the Indians. ” “That you must learn. Reconnoiter and see who it is. Despard left them and went in the direction of a glow of light in a thicket a short distance away. Danton sat carelessly regarding Darrel, until Despard returned. The leader reappeared finally greatly excited. “We’re in luck, Danton!” he cried. . “What do you mean?” “It is a camp yonder in the thicket” “Redskins?” “No.” “Vigilantes?” “Ha” “What then?” “A dozen of one of our old bands ”

Danton uttered a satisfied ejaculation. He started the horse forward so suddenly that Darrel was thrown from his feet. The latter was at that moment near the edge of the cliff aud fell precioitate}y over it With a yell of fright Dauton was dragged from his horse. The astounded Despard saw the two men Disappear from sight with a cry of alarm. The lasso, attached to both, whipped around a tree that grew near the edge of the road. Glancing over, Despard saw the two men come together with a shock. Their weight evenly balanced, they were unable to ascend. Darrel had managed to get one arm free. With this he clutched the lasso. For a moment Danton was terrified. Then he discerned a means of escape. If he could lower Darrel and raise himself, Ihe could reach a place of safety. He. seized the side of the lasso supporting Dairrel and shot up several feet. Then seizing come twigs growing out of the cliffs, he -endeavored to 'ascend still higher. In a flash Darrel comprehended his ipeaiil. He discerned that when Danton peached tbe tree across which they were swiung, he would cut the rope and send him to his death below. With a free hand he seized .the foot of Danton. “Let go!” yelled the bandit. “I wi 10 not. You will let me ascend first or I will hold on to you all night. ” “Shoot himi ” shouted Danton to Despard, wHld with rage. The omtlaw leader leaned over the edge of the cliff and leveled a revolver at Darrel. There was a fla-h and a report. Darrel withdrew his hand from the lasso as a hot, searing sensation coursed his fingers. Despard began to pull at the rope Darrel shot downward and Danton reached the tree. There was a flash of a gleaming blade and the lasso was severed. Darrel fell with terrific velocity. He must have fallen some twenty feet when he stopped abruptly. He had fallen into a tree which swayed aud gave way with a slight crash. Darrel found that its branching top had split and held him a prisoner in the half-severed cleft. For the present he was safe at least. He glanced upward. All view of the top of the cliff was shut out from his vision. Below, far as he could look into the cavernous depths, was darkness and g.oom Evidently his enemies supposed he had been dashed to pieces on the rocks below. His position was certainly a most unenviable and perilous one To extricate himself from his dilemma he knew that he must exert unusal caution and ingenuity. Without much difficulty he released himself from the folds of the lasso and then from the crotch of the tree. A thick furze or underbrush covered the side of the declivity and Darrel determined to descend. He made a loop of the lasso and descended its length clinging to the shrubs. His descent in this way was a laborious one and it was several hours before he reached the ravine below. He regarded his escape as miraculous, and he was so exhausted that he flung himself on the ground and lay there for some time. He aroused himself at last and traversed the banks of the little stream that ran through the ravina Ashe

rounded a projecting ledge of rocks, Darrel Grey paused in some surprise. There was a deep indentation ia the solid rock. Here a light showed. It proceeded from a small hand lamp set on a rock. Its rays showed two persons. One of them was a man fancifully attired, whom he had never seen before. His companion at a glance Darrel recognised. It was White Fawn, the Modoo princess. CHAPTER XXV. THE OLD HERMIT. Darrel Grey did not at once manifest himself at his discovery of his friend Ihe Indian girl. Instead, he stood silently regarding the two persons he had happened to find so strangely. He was, too, somewhat puzzled at the actions of White Fawn’s companion. The whole dress and manner of the latter were strangely peculiar and grotesqua Ho possessed a patrarehlal appearance and wore a white beard coming nearly to his waisr. He wore dark spoctacles and a strange cone-like hat on his head. His dress was a mixture of civilized and savage, and was ornamented with shells and war-paint. On the rock before him lay a small oblong box, from which he had just taken a long reed, which was evidently a musical instrumsnt. So fully was Darrel’s curiosity aroused at all he saw that he strained his hearing to catch the first words spoken by the old man. “You are all ready?” asked the Indian maiden. “Yes,” replied her companion. “We will see what the science of the old hermit can do toward baffling our enemies.” Darrel started. “Tfie strange old man must be the recluse, Walford,” he murmured, as he recalled Ranger Ralph’s reference to the hermit “Am I to wait here?” asked White Fawn- “ Yes. If I succeed at all, it will be unaided. I will bring the girl here, if I rescue her. ” “But how can you hope to do so against so many foes?” The old man significantly tapped the box which he had tied over his shoulder. “Leave that to mo and my science,” he replied, confidently. “The outlaws’ camp Is just beyond the valley, you say?” “Yes. ” Walford, for it was he, left the place. Darrel was about to reveal himself and address the hermit, but hesitated from doing so until Walford had departed. [to BE CONTINUED.!