Palacios Beacon (Palacios, Tex.), Vol. 11, No. 42, Ed. 1 Friday, November 7, 1919 Page: 3 of 8
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PALACIOS BEACON, PAL AGIOS, TEXAS
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/5y ALBERT 'E. SMITH dwtf CYRUS TOWN SEND BRADY
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Copyright. 1919. bu Vltajr«ih
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SYNOPSIS.
John Davis and Hawk Morgan, oxeeu-
tom of the eHtate of John Oarr, miner,
disagree over the disposition of the profits
-of the mine. Morgan seeks the gold and
the girl, Kthel, Carr's adopted daughter,
for himself, and unsuspected by Davis,
Whom Ethel really loves, makes numer-
ous sensational attempts upon the life of
Davis. Suspicion Is diverted to a mys-
terious hermit. Finally unmasked Morgan
and his gang make a last desperate effort
to get rid of Davis.
.
EPISODE 15
FATE'S VERDICT
Imprisoned In tlio sliding house
which they knew must In a moment
more topple from the verge of the cliff
■and be smashed into matchwood on the
locks at the bottom of the canyon,
John and Italnface clung to whatever
■object was handiest. When the shack
was momentarily checked at the brink
by the stump, nnd while the Spider
was creeping forward to fasten the
lope around the obstruction that it
might be jerked away and the building
permitted to fall, the pair within seized
the brief moment of respite to tear
one of the loosely fastened planks from
the floor.
As they made the opening they heard
their names called from below and
glanced down. But a short distance
below they saw the upturned face of
the old hermit who was standing upon
a narrow ledge just beneath the over-
Jiang of the cliff.
"Come down. Hurry I" he called
softly, and the pair lost no time In
•obeying. Lowering themselves through
the opening made by the removed
board they dropped to the ledge, be-
ing caught as they fell by the one who
stood below. Safe once more, they
crowded themselves against the face
of the cliff to escape, if possible, be-
ing dashed Into the depths by the
structure just above their heads when
It should come roaring down. A mo-
ment later It swept by them, brushing
their bodies In Its descent.
From the lip of the cliff the Spider
pointed down into the depths at the
splintered remnants of what once had
been the shack. Then he turned to
Morgan.
"How about the gold?" lie demahd-
ed. The Hawk laughed.
"The gold is safe enough. We'll get
tlt .later. We might as well be getting
away from here."
As they got into their saddles pre-
paratory to riding away, Morgan,
t.lnnclng over his men, noticed the ab-
sence of the assay®. Not wishing the
inmates of the home house alarmed
as yet, he decided that they should go
back and look for him. At once they
wheeled their horses and started off
on a lope.
Their pursuit was fruitless. The
man of whom they were in search, hav-
ing become suspicious of the gang
through the inadvertent remark of
Morgan, had tulcen advantage of their
excitement in the battle about the
house and mounting his horse scur-
ried back in the direction of the main
cabin. Ethel, hearing him come gal-
loping up, ran to the door just as the
approaching man leaped from the sad-
dle. Greatly agitated he called to her.
"They've got Mr. Davis trapped in a
house and are trying to shove it over
the cliff."
With a cry of alarm the girl whirl-
ed and went running Into the house.
A moment later she appeared with
Bridget, the girl bearing a ride and
pistol; the cook a double-barreled saw-
ed-off shotgun. Calling to the man
that they could make better'time over
the ridge on foot, he turned his horse
loose and fell In at their sides. Run-
ning as fast as they could they mount-
ed the trail.
As the house went thundering down
into space, John turned to the hermit
and thrust out his hand.
"We have to thank you for our l^cs,
sir. I had thought that you were the
author of all this deviltry, but it seems
I was grievously mistaken." Grimly
the Indian smiled.
"No. Him good man. Morgan and
Spider—they all devil."
Keenly Davis surveyed their res-
cuer up and down, running his hand
across his brow as he strove to fresh-
en his memory.
"I seem to know you," he said
slowly, "and yet your name—" A
smile crossed the face of their savior.
"I think we had best go back to the
cabin and look after the woman
folks," he Interrupted. "As for my
name, there is time enough for that."
Thought of possible danger to Ethel
spurred Davis Into Instant acquies-
cence.
As they emerged from the valley
near the cabin, a low exclamation
from the hermit caused them to look
back. • Morgan and his gang were al-
ready In sight and headed for them,
and at once they brojie into a run.
Dashing into the cnhifi, John called
loudly for Ethel but no reply came,
and a quick search revealed the emp-
tiness of the house. Hastily barring
the doors they made ready for the at-
tack which they knew would soon fol-
low.
Morgan at sight of the assayer's
horse and the running three, turned
to the Spider with a wicked oatl^.
"Curse them, they have gotten
nway again. It surely beats me. And
that fool assayer has Joined them.
Take half the men and ride back. We
may bag something." The Spider
with a command to a number of the
miners, went riding away at their
head, while the Hawk and his party
dismounted. Taking advantage of
whatever shelter they could find they
opened Are upon the house.
Ethel and her party hearing the ap-
proach of the Spider's gang, ran from
the trail and climbed to a little ledge
over which a brow of the cliff drooped.
As the approaching party opened fire
upon them, they threw themselves flat
upon the rock and returned It, and the
assailants, seeing the impossibility of
rushing the place, scattered and took
to shelter. A careful scanning of the
situation convincing the Spider that
an attack from above the ledge might
be successful, he dispatched two men
to make a detour and get above It,
while lie and the rest kept up their
fire. One of their bullets, glancing
from a rock, pierced the assayer's
arm and his weapon dropped. In an
Instant the Irish woman had dropped
her formidable gun, seized the wourid-
MgSf
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III III
Antonio Moreno, Who Plays the Part of John Davis.
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Boxes of Explosives Were Plied Up Between John and the Tunnel.
ed man and dragged him Into a recess
where she began bandaging it.
The girl, her ammunition exhausted,
turned Into the niche where her com-
panions were in order to secure an-
other weapon. As she did so, one of
the men whom the Spider had com-
missioned for the attack from above,
dropped upon the shelf before them.
Before he could regain his poise,
Bridget, with a wild Celtic war cry,
was upon him. Locking her mighty
arms about his waist she hurled him
bodily over the edge, watching him as
he went crashing down. When he was
no longer to be seen, she faced about
and saw her sawed-off gun where she
had dropped it when the assayer had
been hit. Slowly she picked it up.
"Bedadt I clane forgot it," she
muttered.
But her moment of triumph was
short lived. Even as she spoke a sec-
ond form dropped heavily upon her
head and she fell stunned upon the
ledge, and before the girl could reload
her weapon the outlaw had disarmed
her. Covering the wounded man*, their
captor uttered a triumphant yell, and
at that signal the Spider and his fol-
lowers came swarming over the ledge.
Quickly the three prisoners were
bound, after which they were marched
back along the ridge at the muzzles
of their captors' weapons.
Brought before Morgan, the cap-
tives were ordered to halt. The Hawk
turned to the girl.
"It's open war from now on. If
you will join my side I'll marry you
after I get rid of that cursed Davis.
If not—" His further remarks were
cut short by a volley from* above.
From the sawmill where they had
been inspecting the machinery, the
two engineers had heard the shots and
rushed out. A glance at the group
below enlightened them as to the real
situation, and without hesitation they
opened lire upon the outlaw gang.
Back out of range darted the Hawk,
dragging Ethel after him. His voice
arose in a sharp command.
"To the mine, everybody. We have
gut the woman, and tiny will have to
come to our terms." As they started
away Blackle approached him and
whispered In his ear, and with a ges-
ture of assent Morgan summoned the
Spider before them.
"All right," he returned. "But don't
involve the woman. I can use her."
As the party started toward the
mine, Blackie, who had lagged behind,
turned his back upon them and broke
into a wild run toward the cabin, wav-
ing his handkerchief on high as he
leaped from rock to rock and with
Morgan nnd the Spider sending their
bullets about him as closely as they
dared without danger of doing him
harm. The party within the cabin
seeing this play and believing that the
approaching man was endeavoring to
escape, threw open the door and ad-
mitted him into their midst. Breath-
lessly the new arrival sank upon a
chair.
"They are going into the mine with
the woman. I won't stand for that
rough stuff. If you will have me
after what I have done, I'll help you
clean out that gang. I'm a sinner, all
right, but no murder in mine."
Scarcely had tlifty assured him that
his help would be accepted, than the
two engineers joined them, and a coun-
cil of war was at once called. John
spoke.
"Of course the first thing to do is
to get Ethel and Bridget out of their
clutches. I have barricaded the mine
entrance through the tunnel yonder,
and as they have left the assayer be-
hind and he seems to be able to use
one hand,- he can watch it. You two
engineers can cover the vine-screened
entrance, and Blackie and I will enter
by the hole in the cliff. Italnface
and—" The hermit Interposed.
"Do not assign any part to the In-
dian and me. Go ahead with your
plan, for it Is a good one. I think I
can help in my own way." As all
agreed they started off, leaving the
hermit, Ralnface and the assayer, who
was now slowly approaching, behind.
John and Blackie reached the top
of the rock overlooking the ledge
which gave entrance to the mine.
Making a rope fast they began the de-
scent, Davis first, the other man fol-
lowing him. As the latter landed the
Spider's face, unseen by John, ap-
peared at the entrance, but disap-
peared as suddenly as It had come at
a gesture from his confederate. Ar-
rived upon the ledge they pursued
their way along It, Blackie now in ad-
vance.
They peered around a projecting
rock and caught sight of the villains
busily at work at the far end of the
cave. Sneaking inside very quietly
they arrived at the spot where Ethel
lay bound, and cutting her fetters
John lifted her in his arms and bore i
her into the tunnel. There, embracing
her, he spoke softly:
"Wait for me. I am going back
after Bridget." A moment later and
he had reached the Irish woman. She
whispered to' him.
"Be aisy. They're up to some dirty
wurruck, Mistlier John—"
At that instant the gun butt of the
treacherous Blackie falling upon the
hpfKl of the bending man, he dropped
heavily to the floor. In an instant he
was upon his feet, his revolver in his
hand. The traitor was already in the
act of delivering a second blow when
the weapon of Davis flashed.
"I'll got you anyway, you traitor,"
he cried, as he sent a bullet through
the would-be assassin's body. But be-
fore he could repeat the shot the gang
was upon him. The desperate battle
which followed raged from wall to
wall of the cave, but eventually the
lone man was pulled down, bound and
lakl next to Bridget.
By Morgan's direction the men be-
gan bringing boxes of explosives, dy-
namite cartridges and TNT with
long fuses, which they piled up be-
tween John nnd the tunuel tlirougl
which he had come. Next, they ran
three lines of fuse to the pile, one
along the ground, another along the
wall about waist high, and the third |
as high as they could reach. Either
of the three fuses would Ignite and
explode the mass of death which they
had piled about. Morgan addressed
them.
"Boys, that entriutf"eyIs blocked. The
dynamite will him away from
that one. LlaJjrtT the fuses and we'll
beat it this way which leads to the
cabin and safety. After It is all over,
we'll come back for the treasure."
One by one the three death fuses
were fired. The Hawk and others,
pausing for a moment at the tunnel
mouth to watch the sparks creep on,
jeered the two bound victims whom
they were leaving behind to be blown
to atoms. With a final curse upon
them, Morgan led his companions
through the tunnel toward the house.
As they started, John rolling over and
over, held his wrists to the streak of
(ire that was creeping along the floor
on its way to the dynamite, and re-
gardless of burnt flesh pressed his
bonds upon It.
As the retreating gang was about to
pass around a bend in the tunnel
which would afford them safety from
the forthcoming bla3t, a door In the
roof flew open, and throwing their
eyes upward thpy saw themselves
covered by four heavy revolvers, two
In the hands each of the hermit and
Ralnface. With death from the black
muzzles staring them in the face and
the rapidly burning fuses at their
backs, they threw up their hands with
w ild cries for mercy. Grimly the her-
mit called to John, who "with his
bonds burned through now sprang to
his feet.
"Pass up that woman—quick."
Raising Bridget in his arms Davis
shoved her through the trap, an in-
stant later following her and slam-
ming the door shut.
With their only hope lying In ex-
tinguishing the racing fuses, the out-
laws rushed madly back; stamping,
tearing at the walls, Impeding each
other's efforts, fighting savagely
among themselves.
Ethel, having regained the ledge,
heard the wild yells of the Impris-
oned outlaws and paused in wonder-
ment. As she did so there was a roar
that shook the mountain to Its founda-
tion, a blinding flash and a stream of
fire and smoke that shot from the
opening and far out across the val-
ley. In Its midst she saw the body of
the Spider spinning In the air and
with a shudder watched It as It made
Its flight to the jagged rocks far be-
low. The next instant some object
fell at her feet, and with a little cry
of fright she sprang back. It was a
rope blown there by the blast, and
with a quick glance about which took
in her surroundings, she plckcd It up.
Out of the mine shaft John, the her-
mit, Bridget and Ralnface emerged to
be greeted by the assayer and the
engineers. Davis rushed eagerly for-
ward.
"Where is Ethel?" he demanded. As
none answered, he pushed them aside
and went hurrying away.
"Then she must be where I left her
on the ledge." Running to the spot,
he found the rope which he and
Blackie had used still hanging there,
and descended, followed by Ralnface,
who had closely pursued him. There
they tried the entrance, but it was
blocked forever by the huge masses
of rock loosened by the explosion, and
they turned their eyes down Into the
valley. Far below upon the rocks they
made out the broken remains of what
once had been the Spider.
Plunged into the depths of despair,
the pair slowly pursued their home-
ward way.
They entered the cabin to be greet-
ed by the others, who pressing around
them eagerly Inquired for news of the
missing girl. Too heartbroken to
speak, Davis Indicated by a gesture
of hopelessness that she was lost;
then seating himself In a chair he
closed his eyes as his chin fell heav-
ily upon his breast. Horrified and also
deeply sympathetic, the others drew
silently away from the suffering one.
The door of Ethel's room opened
and she came silently forth, a grave
smile upon her face. Touching her
llj)s with a finger to command the si-
lence of the astonished party, she
crept noiselessly up behind the silent-
ly suffering one and covered his eyes
with her hands. And beneath that
well-known touch John's heart first
stopped, then leaped like a bounded
rubber ball.
"Ettfel!" he cried. Springing up he
folded her In his arms.
The girl, presently lifting her head
from his shoulder, saw the hermit,
stared at him, then uttered a glad cry.
"Daddy! It's Daddy Carrl" Break-
ing away from her lover she threw
herself Into the old man's arms. "And
all this while we thought you dead."
The ex-hermit beamed down upon
her.
"While as a matter of fact I have
been very much aljve through all these
things that have happened. I put
John and Hawk to the test, and the
right one is here alive and safe. Tha
other, with his crimes, is burled for-
ever beneath the mountain."
Johu wrung Carr's hand until tears
of pain streamed down the old miner's
cheeks.
"So it wns you who wns helping us
all the time!" Managing to release
his half-crushed fingers, the prospec-
tor laid them fondly upon the young
man's shoulder.
"Yes, my boy, and now we'll work
the mine as planned. The poor shall
benefit. There is treasure enough for
all, and as for you, John—"
Turning quickly from him, Davis
slipped his arm around the waist of
the girl.
"Here Is my treasure," he said
smilingly.
(THE END)
The Persistent Echo.
"Good morning."
"Good morning."
"You remember that house yon soldi
me last week?"
"Certainly."
"Well, I had my wife up to see it'
yesterday, and now I want to sell It
back to you again."
"But you said you admired th»
house."
"I did."
"What fault do you find with lfc
now?"
"It has an echo In it."
"That doesn't hurt it."
"Yes it does."
"In what way?"
"When my wife scolds me for stay-
ing out late the hlnmed old house will
repeat it six or seven times, and gosh,
how I do hate nagging."—Rehoboth
Sunday Herald.
Favorite Dish,
The bulls and the bears usually take,
their lamb with mint sauce.—Boston
Transcript.
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There Was a Roar That Shook the Mountain.
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Dismukes, J. W. Palacios Beacon (Palacios, Tex.), Vol. 11, No. 42, Ed. 1 Friday, November 7, 1919, newspaper, November 7, 1919; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth412203/m1/3/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Palacios Library.