The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-07-24
THE BR|GANDS OF THE WEST,
j 9 H N L Q N @,
The
WOLF OF THE PRAIRIES.

ensd into twilight, twilight deepened int
darkness, before Bonney, whom we left at th'
close OF our last chapter, waiting at Var
Sickle's house in Berkshire, for the coming o.
Norton b. Royce, had the satisfaction Of hav
ing his smothered impatience brought to ,
close. Van Sickle had just illuminated his ba,
by the light of two tallow candles, when Royce
entered the room, and glanced furtively
around
"Good evening Royce Here is gentleman
who wishes to see you" and Van Sickle pointed
to Bonney as he spoke. Royce slightly return
ed the salutation which Bonney Immediately
stepped forward and extended unto him.
81 am stranger to you, said Bonney ''but
am intimately acquainted with particular
friend Of yours, and should like to have few
moments conversation with you"
Royce made no answer, but turning his eyes
from Bonney to Van Sickle, and reading some
thing to assure him, signiied his consent to
Bonney's request by bow Of acquiescence.-
The private apartment of Van Sickle's tavern,
to which we have before introduced our read
ers was soon afterwards arranged and they
withdrew to hold their conference.
"Mr. Royce, said Bonney, as soon as they
we're seated at the table, IAN old friend of
yours named Fox, assured me, when 1 saw
him, that you was of the right stripe, and
shall, therefore, speak plainly, and disclose my
business at once, presuming that have moth
N fear from / xUa0 nj cd
with Fox. He told me that you and some of
the boys were operating about here, and re-
quested me to come here and see how you
were getting along You know, I perceive,
that Long and birch separated from him some
time since. Soon after the separation, he was
arrested at Bowling Green with some horses,
which these boys had raised near st. Louis, but
away, and there is now no evidence against
him, and he will eventually get clear. lie told
me that you had got up few sights here, and
that Long and Birch were with you to help
raise them"
This address Of Bonney had the desired effect
on Royce. The intimate knowledge displayed
by Bonney Of all the movements Of Long,
Birch and Eox took captive at once the conf
dence Of Royce, and he answered that Bonney
We right about the sights, but that he and his
confederates Long and Birch, had not as yet
accomplished much. "But" added Royce, do
you know Van Sickle. and have YOU told him
all you have me ?" Bonney answered that he
had merely told Van Sickle that he wished to
sc. Long in order to get him to ride race
mare, in race to be run on the fret of Octo-
ber, but he had not mentioned anything con-
corning the business OF the boys IN Berk-
SHIRE"
That is right" replied Royce, "van is a
good fellow, but he is sometimes unintention-
ally leaky in the upper story"
''Well, that being all right, returned Bonney.
NOW to business. Fox told me that as you
and the boys would probably be flush with
funds from the sights you would doubtless
raise before ] got here, you would therefore
want large amount of goods in my line" and
here Bonney again displayed his al-conquering
ammunition OF blank bills.
Il shall soon have all these signed and dat
ed and | want to see Long and Birch to show
them the samples, and see how much they
will take. Where are they now z"
Royce answered that they we're In Knox Co..
on the edge OF Marion, waiting to make de-
scent upon the house of Wilborne. the old
Jersey farmer. Royce here gave Bonney a full
account of Wilborne's house aud farm, the
amount of money they expected to raise, and
also informed Bonney how Long and Birch
had missed the robbery of his (Royce 81 aunt
and merchant of the neighborhood. by their
not coming to Berkshire at the time they had
agreed. Royce concluded his communication
by stating that he had come from Knox Co.,
where he had been to carry provisions to Long
and Birch who we're waiting in the woods near
Wilbornes house, until the camp meeting
should be over, and that he, Royce was to join
them soon to carry more provisions and learn
the intended time Of attack, in order that he
might be on hand to make the descent.
"When do you go?" asked Bonney.
Next Saturday night at twelve O'Clock, and
think we shall make the raise on Sunday
night"
"Well, after you make this raise, should |
like to meet you and the boys. BY that time
can go to Cincinnati, get my bills signed. |
and be back ready for you and them to pur-
chase lot" answered Bonney
anywhere you please" said Royce, "after
this business is over we are ready for anything
new, for we have nothing more to do in this
nelghborhood just now."
'Ill sleep on it, and determine at what
place our meeting shall be-" and after little
more conversation on the general operations
of the gang, the two separated to retire to
rest
Whatever might have been the soundness
and tranquility of the sleep that Royce stained
as he was with crime, enjoyed, the repose of
Bonney although justice was the great work
on which his energies we're bent, was itful and
DISTURBED. One fearful picture kept contin-
ually rising before his imagination. and driving
sleep from his pillow, worn out as he was
with the fatigue and excitement of the last