ng the attention of his foes--struck at his
head, his advanced foot became entangled in the root of a tree which ran
above the surface, and the impetus of his action occurring at the very
instant in which he encountered the obstruction, the stroke fell short
of his victim, and grazed the side of his horse; while the ruffian
himself, stumbling forward and at length, fell headlong upon the ground.

The youth was awakened to consciousness. His mind was one of that cast
with which to know, to think, and to act, are simultaneous. Of ready
decision, he was never at a loss, and seldom surprised into even
momentary incertitude. With the first intimation of the attack upon
himself, his pistol had been drawn, and while the prostrate ruffian was
endeavoring to rise, and before he had well regained his feet, the
unerring ball was driven through his head, and without word or effort he
fell back among his fellows, the blood gushing from his mouth and
nostrils in unrestrained torrents.

The whole transaction was the work of a single instant; and before the
squatters, who came with their slain leader, could sufficiently recover
from the panic produced by the event to revenge his death, the youth was
beyond their reach; and the assailing party of the guard, in front of
the post, apprized of the sally by the discharge of the pistol, made
fearful work among them by a general fire, while obliquing to the
entrance of the pass just in time to behold the catastrophe, now
somewhat precipitated by the event which had occurred below. Ralph,
greatly excited, regained his original stand of survey, and with
feelings of unrepressed horror beheld the catastrophe. The Georgian had
almost reached the top of the hill--another turn of the road gave him a
glimpse of the table upon which rested the hanging and disjointed cliff
of which we have spoken, when a voice was heard--a single voice--in
inquiry:--

"All ready?"

The reply was immediate--

"Ay, ay; now prize away, boys, and let go."

The advancing troop looked up, and were permitted a momentary glance of
the terrible fate which awaited them before it fell. That moment was
enough for horror. A general cry burst from the lips of those in front,
the only notice which those in the rear ever received of the danger
before it was upon them. An effort, half paralyzed by the awful emotion
which came over them, was made to avoid the down-coming ruin; but with
only partial success; for, in an instant aft