The Shasta courier., 1870-04-23

gest," said Romaiue.
"Far's that concerned" added Lowry,
% it may be necessary to send him along with
Magruder. I'd undertake to drown him in
the spring to- night if we didn't need him.
You see, Doc he knows every trail in the
country, and if storm of snow should come
on, we'd never get out in the world. The
best way is TO let him know nothing of the
affair whatever, until the night of action, and
then we can deal with him as if he were a
child. don't believe Bill Page ever killed
man in his life but I'll bet you he dies
with his boots on, nevertheless"
1t was further agreed that they should all
accompany Magruder, Allen, and Phillips,
and the two Boonville boys as far as Ban
mock City, at which point they would have
another consultation. 1t was arranged that
Lowry and Domaine should exhibit hesi-
fancy about returning to Lewiston. which
opposition they knew would be overcome by
Magruder. And so it was; for, on being in
formed BY Howard that they had made up
their minds to go into the diggings, Magruder
went to them, promised to give them two
hundred dollars apiece, and finally, as he
thought, persuaded them to accompany him
to Lewiston, which caused good deal of re-
joicing in camp.
In due time the party reached Bannock
City and went into camp with the agreement
that they should remain there three days.
just as they arrived large party was de.
parting for Lewiston. to one of whom Ma
gruder intrusted a letter to his wife, in which
he wrote that he had sold out his stock with
perfect success, and you'd leave Bannock
City with a strong crowd in t,oelpe days.
There" he soliloquized, my wife will tell
that all over town, and if there are any road
agents watching my movements, I'll throw
them off their guard and arrive at Lewiston
before they get out"
A few hours after his arrival at Bannock
City, Howard met Bob Zachary and his three
friends. who had remained in that place ever
since their arrival. As soon as the met,
Zachary, who knew that there must be some
thingsin the wind, accosted Howard with
Well, Doc, what's up, eh =? Magruder
well fixed? all hands loaded with dust or
would like to be ?-or mean to be, say? Can't
fool one of the old boys you know, Doc
How many OF you are there?"
.. Nine in all" replied Howard.
g Ninel who are they ?"
I" There's Magruder; old Bill, Phillips,
Charlie Allen, Chris. and jim, and myself.
and there's couple of Missouri boys along
- uOH huOW dbOut thCh-tHcN We
got two or three thousand dollars in dust
apiece, | believe"
60 How much did Magruder make up
there?"
''Oh, he done mighty well. He's got about
$685. 900 in dust, and as fine band of mules
as you ever put your eyes on"
''How's old man Phillips fixed ?''
Well, guess he's got three or four thou
sand dollars"
'' And Charlie Allen -
Charles busted guess he amt got
an ounce in the world Some of the boys
overhauled him at his camp, you know, a few
months ago, and cleaned him dead-didn't
leave him enough for cocktail"
Pshaw ?''
"Sure.''
@ Who were the party ?''
- don't know. | think it was Charlie
Ames and his gang. They've been doing a
ripping business all through here, and are
now at Washoe"
Well, to come down to dots. What do
you propose to do with the party you've got
in tow?'
=" To be brief, Bob, we propose to relieve
Magruder of all he's got, get off to the river,
make for Portland, and take the first steamer
for San Francisco. We are going to meet
to morrow night for final arrangements, and
you're invited. I'll tell Romaine and Lowry
that I've met you and you're in."
"Pll be there"
All OF the necessary arrangements had been
made on the night of the 18th of October for
an early start to Lewiston on the following
morning. And while Magruder, Allen, Phil
lips, and the two Missouri boys were asleep,
and Page was off with his stock, and How
ard and Romaine were on guard, the latter
were Joined by Rob Zachary and Chris. Low
ry.
The fire was stirred up, as it was bitter
cold night and the shivering desperadoes got
near each other and prepared their plan of
action.
:" To commence WITH" said Howard "and
to be brief-and to point-we've got to kill
Magruder, ALLEN, Phillips, and the two
Missourians. | have been scheming in my
own mind increasingly, and can arrive at
no other plan."
have no objection to that. if it is accept
able to the others" said Lowry Il have no
more scruples about killing man than |
have calf, if it is absolutely necessary. We
may as vel have this money as anybody else
Magrcder never will get to Lewiston with it,
at any rate. The world must support us. is
my text, and I'm going to have few pounds
of that dust if | stretch for it,
. That's the way to talk" said Howard.
=" And what do you say, Jim? ?" he added,
addressing himself to Romaine.
:" My God I" replied the latter. 6 it seems
to me to be too bloody; but | ii be governed
by you ard Chris"
9 And you, Bob?" interrogated Howard.
g / can't join you." said Zachary.
g But you"
Z" Won't stand in the way" said Zachary,
sis what you were going to say, Doc.
" Yes" he replied.
. Doc. Howard, there's honor among
thieves. | will not stand in your way, you
know and you know very well will not
attempt to Illustrate you, either and however
the thing may terminate here's my hand. L
know no more about it than the babe un-
BORN"
g But why won't you join us ~ asked Ko-
maine. trembling from head to foot at the
bare recital of Howard's murderous plan.
Yes, why won't you join us ~ reiterated
Lowry may be you can propose some
other mode"
I'VE are open to propositions remarked
Howard .'of course | am heartily in favor
of the best plan that can be suggested"
Cant we take Magruder and tie him to a
tree ?p asked Zachary.
Yes, yes," said Romaine.
"And what would you do with the other
four % Howard inquired