The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-03-13
THE bRIGAN DS OF THE WEST,
OR
JOHN LONG,
The Wolf Of the Prairies.


weeks after the robber council which we recent
| ~ described. and about twenty miles from the
! spot where that council was held, three figures,
with blackened faces and wrapped in heavy
clothing against the chill OF the shadowy at
mosphere, might be seen cautiously skulking
from different directions towards fine looking
farm house, which seemed surrendered 10 the
most complete repose. Stealthily and slowly
they advanced, looking around at every step
and inclnlng their ears at intervals towards the
earth as if they could catch from that conductor
the slightest particle of sound. At length they
reached the front Of the house together having
first reconnoitered the rear and sides, and
seemed to hold whispered consultation. The
one who appeared TO be foremost OF the three
vas OF middle size, and though not stoutly
| built was OF an athletic frame Though he
had fair hair and blue eyes he was by no means
beauty, for his slim face and retreating fore
head detracted from the majesty of manhood
yet there was an intelligence astride between
his eyes that LETT him the dignity of a wolf or
a tiger The second figure was about the same
height az the fret, but spread into much great
er breadth Of muscular development He was
what was called square built, with thick
brows retreatng forehead. large mouth, and
a massive chm to correspond with his broad
face. His keen hazel eyes, however, relieved
this heavy outline, and there was that in his
momentary movements that showed he was
capable of great activity as well as strength
The third shadow was taller than either Of the
other two, and, even By that dim starlight, the
most casual acquaintace might have recognized
In the elegant outline and jaunty position OF
the figure the Dandy Captain, Robert II Birch.
With such fact to help them, little further
observation would have revealed that his two
companions were our old acquaintances Long
and the stalwart rufian Fox.
We left them on the night OF the murder of
the negro Jack and the robbery of the mansion
on Macoupin Creek, pursuing their way in sad
die TO the Mississippi. with an intention to re-
turn 10 the region where We now find them TO
finish up several enterprises that had been pre-
pared TO their hands, and that had for some
time awaited their coming. The expedition in
which they we're now engaged was Of this sort
and 1t had been coniided TO their execution by
| hllbOTe anu Two lt4lONE anu
Oliver, who kept the station at Washington
Grove. Long and his comrades would have re-
jectee such job in which 20 many parties had
an interest, were it not that those who got it
up had other 4" sights 10 throw into the bar
: gain as an inducement 10 the coalition, and
were it not, also, that the amount Of plundeI
was expected 10 be large. Even in that view,
however, they insisted on an extra ten per cen,
in consideration, not only OF their services in
the performance OF the deed, but Of their repu.
tation as men OF capacity, which was almost
a guarantee OF success.
Il was expected that Mr. Mulford, the owner
OF the house before which the robbers stood
had in his possession an amount OF some 514.'
600 in money. which he had recently received
from the state OF New York. To ascertain
whether this was the fact and to learn the ge
ography of the inside Of the premises Johr
Long had, two days before, offered himself tC
Mr.. Mulford for employment. as he had done tC
Mr.. Henderson. Mr.. Mulford was willing tC
engage the disguised robber for six months
but NJ. Harris would bind himself for no more
o., ,+ahnree, and he likewise disagreed with the
o,,irc, ~ lore OF the offered wages. Ac
Lopg, Alias Mr. Harris Wiling %tththing however. Mr.
10 reflect upon the proposals of Gfhtn fhten d plohis'
and to return and talk about them again -
then retired not being acquainted himself wit
the precise fact as to Mr.. Mufords possessio
Of the money. but satisfied with his scrutiny {
his premises. Being thus fully prepared, h
now stood ready to accomplish the job andsgt
it of his hands, In order that he and his con
rades might assume several others that Ina
10 long been waiting for them. After brit
whispered debate among the three desperadoe
Long drew his knife and waved it in the air.
At this signal there emerged from behinda a pil
Of wood on one side and tree on the othe
two figures which had not hitherto been seeI
| and whose task ii evidently had been to recor
L noitre in advance of the great workmen, an
secure them safety in their first approach. Th
two figures were those Of Kigore and Brdg'
and to them had been confided the task of stiAin
the dog and of guarding the door outside VIII.
I, the companions did the work within. KilgoI
y and Bridge having come up Long gave thel
Their directions, and taking his knife went I
Or the front window beside the door and, usin
~ the weapon as a chisel, soon succeeded in pr!
ing the shutter open, and next in raising up th
sash. Before crawling into the dark apertur,
however, he drew back for moment to requei
?. Fox to remain outside for greater securit,
while Birch and Kigore accompanied HIM il
Ageeably to this change Of direction the rol
!, bers disposed themselves, and IN minute aft,
it was made Fox aud Bridge stood guarding Il
black dormitory ready to plunge in if necessar
while the three pioneers of the crime wei
cropping their way by assistance OF the wall
W to spot in the passage where they might lieI
match without throwing the beacon abroad
a tell-tale through the windows.
The house was occupied by Mr.. milford al
A. his wife alone, and as they were 10th W,
stricken with age it could not be expected th
N. should make strong resistance. Neverthele
n the old couple heard the hustle Of the robbie
as they reached their chamber door, and VIII
ly John Leng alias Harris, stepped inside with l
lantern extended above his head with one bal
nm and glistening bowie knife in the other he m
both their ewes streaming full rpon bis boa,