White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-07-30


down, and said. / guess We might as well be
off, At this remark the men sprang briskly to
4 their feet, and taking possession Of their rAes,
stood waiting for such further orders as their
leader might see fit to issue.
Dove said he, l want you, and Shattlin,
and Jim Cooley to 60 by the road. You kin ride
through the village and see if there's anything
astir there. As the moon is uncommon shiny,
you'd better stop at the bridge. and put wooden
shoes on the horses. Tom, and /. and Frank,
and Mop, will go through the forest, and wait
for you at the blasted pine
The moon was shining brilliantly as the party
left the hut.
Whatever We do must be done in silence,
sale. the Squire. ia almost as soon steal hor-
ses in the daytime, as by such moon as this
Somehow, horse liftin', is like courtin', the dark
or the night the better
At this remark from the Squire, who had
reputation for gallantry, the men laughed, and
then, dividing into two parties, as DAILY had pro-
posed, they started on their expedition, three on
horseback, and four on foot.
1t was nearly half past one when Daily and his
party reached the blasted pine. The riders had
not yet arrived. Taking the Squire aside, DAILY
said few words to him in a whisper, and then
proceeded BY himself to the cabin to reconnoitre.
Creeping on his hands and knees by the pens in
which forty or fifty horses and mules we're mo-
wing at large, he cautiously approached the hut,
through the chinks of which light was shining.
Drawing near, he perceived that this light pro-
eeeded from the fire which was still burning in
the chimney, and which enabled him to obtain
full view of the party within. 1t consisted of
only three men, who were sleeping, two on
benches, and one on the clay-hoor. Neither
Rowell nor his son were there. On table, in
a corner Of the room, were four pistols and
dirk.
On returning to the pine, lie found the whole
gang assembled, and briefly stating what he had
seen. he developed his plans, and began to pre-
pare for action. Ordering the Squire to takeup
good handful OF pine-straw,-with which the
forests are everywhere strewed, he drew finder
box from his pocket, and quietly struck light.
This operation performed, he moved with his
men 70 the hut, and stationed them at different
distances from the door. wait said he, in
whisper, { until they're little scattered, and
then spring on them With this remark, he re-
turned with the Squire to the pens, which were
distant from the house some thirty yards, and
having leaped the fence-one of the zig gag rail
fences, so often noticed by tourists-they seized
the first horse that they could quietly lay their
hands on.
As soon as the Squire had wrapped tine pine
straw around the tail of the passive animal,
DAILY handed him the tinder-box, and telling him
to wait until he had given a signal, he caught
another horse, led it close alongside of the
fence, and selecting large, heavy rail, he gave
a low whistle
Blowing the finder into fame, the Squire
applied it to the straw, which being of highly
infammable nature, instantly took FIRE and
blazed fercely. For moment the animal stood
still, but no sooner had il felt the scorching
flames, than il began to plunge and rear furi-
susly. At this moment Daily lifted the rail to
great height in the air. and then brought it down
heavily on the spine Of the horse that stood by !
him. With a scream of agony lone Of those |
shrieks which are rarely heard, but when once |
heard arenever forgotten,) the broken-backed
creature fell to the gro6nd, writhing. The ruse |
was successful. Starting from his sleep, and
exclaiming-'By -, that rascally stallion !
has broken loose again, and got among the crit !
ters.' Boon rushed from the hut, followed BY |
his men. In moment they were surrounded and
secured.
Take those two men into the cabin said
DAILY, while Cooley and settle our accounts
with this chap
Firmly convinced that the Squire and this
man had quareiled, the men, who made it
rule never to interfere in a matter of this sort,
conveyed the two assistants into the hut, leav-
ing Boon in the hands Of the Ruf6ians.
Come, Boon, give Us your money said DAILY
in whisper to the trader. who was extended
on his back on the ground, while the Squire
sat astride his breast, with his knees upon
Boon's arms.
4 haven't dollar about me, said the man, 4 |
left It all at GAINESVILLE
None of your les said the Squire, grufiy, |
'If you don't shell out on the minute, III wipe
your throat with my bowie knife;' and he quiet |
" drew the crayat from the mans neck.
If he won't give it up quietly said Daily,
kill him, Tom
Kill memo, no, for Gods sake, don't kill
me. The money isin my side coat-poeket; take
It all, It's large sum-take it all, but don't
kill me-
Drawing the case from the pocket of the
trader. DAILY showed IL into his own; and
saying to Cooley, Make sure work of IT,
stepped back to the feaee and seized his rife.
DO you remember me, traderr asked the |
Squire Of the terrified wretch; IS the moon
bright enough for you to know me again.
Il don't know yOu,' replied the trader, as he
fixed his eyes wildly on the Squire.
you don't, and suppose you can't remember
man named Cooley, that you sold an internal
worthless eTittur 10, last fall ?
You've got my money grOaned Boon, what
more do yOu want 7 You kin. pay yourself for
many such eritturs out of it; and III say moth
ing about il, so help me God, IWon't-'
Il don't intend you SHALL said the Squire, as
be placed his LEFT hand on the forehead Of the
trader, and sought for bis knife with the right
Oh. don't kin ne: puAged the wretch, my
blood win hang heavy on you-don'tkilI me I
hsve wife and little ones-ion't, don't