The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-08-07
THE BR|GANDS OF THE WEST,
j 9 H N i 9 N @,
-1HE-
WOLF OF THE PRAIRIES.

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The steamer Champion, on board of which,
at the close Of our last chapter we left Bon
ney, sheriff Thrift, and their prisoners, Long
and Birch, tossed uneasily on the bosom OF
Lake Michigan, as she bent her course for
Chicago. For two days previous to the Oath OF
September, heavy gale had swept over the
lake, and on the evening OF that day, when
Bonney and his party embarked at st. Joseph,
the waters were still heaving wildly with the
paintings consequent upon their fierce struggle
with storm. The boat was full of passengers,
and the appearance on board of two men, heav-
lily ironed and strictly guarded, may we'll be
supposed to have caused great excitement and
curiosity. Bonney and Thrift were besieged
with questions, and although they turned from
the inquiries with the best grace they could
without violating the rules Of ciyllity, ii soon
leaked out, or Iather was drawn out in some
way or other, that the murderers OF Col Dav-
export we're the captiyes on board. The ex-
element and curiosity became, therefore, ten
fold more intense. Crowds soon surrounded
the prisoners, gazing at them, some with hor-
ror plainly written on their faces, others with
that penetrating look of examination, which, in
long fixed gaze, cooly takes the height and
standard OF man. as jockey would examine
with his eye the joints of horse. Long re-
turned, with savage glare OF defiance. the
looks which were fastened upon him, and oc-
casionally added by way Of interest, an oath
and threat. Birch, on the other hand, hung
his head, as if half III shame, and half il sullen
and fearful despair. For some miles after
leaving St. Joseph, Bonney and Thrift suffered
the prisoners to remain on deck, and to walk
to and fro upon it at their pleasure. Both
Long and Birch complained Of sea-sickness, and
1t was not until late in the evening that ther
keepers retired with them into the cabin.
II was after midnight, and there was silence
on board the steamer Champion, unbroken
save by the heavy breathing of sleepers the
measured strokes Of the engine, the occasional
opening aud shutting of the furnace doors, and
the attendant falling of the logs into the fiery
and roaring abyss The claims of nature had
triumphed over the excitement and curiosity of
the passengers, and deep sleep was in the cab
in, where Bonney and Thrift with Long and
Birch between them, we're seated. Even Thrift
hlmself, worn out With fatigue and watching,
had fallen into sound slumber in his chair
and Bonney was IN that kind OF an undefnable
doze, where the boundaris of reality meet those
Of the land Of dreams, and where he who re-
poses on the line, may be at once in BOTH
Long and Birch were wide awake. The swell
of the lake on which the boat rode resitlessly
forward, was answered in the breasts Of the
murderers by mighter swell of anxiety, fear,
and rage, which drove away all desire of rest
leaving naught in its place but the gloomy fore.
shadowlngs of justice at Rock Island.
Birch and Long had for some time been
watching their guardians and Birch at length
percelvipg that Thrift was asleep, and believ.
ing Bonney was the same, rose cautiously, and
moved toward the companion-way.
'Where are you going Birch ?" asked Bon
nev, suddenly raising his head, and looking
with bright, keen eyeI on the Dandy Cap.
tain.
Birch was taken Slightly aback, but he man
aged to answer with careless copposure-
''Only on deck, am sea-sick.H
Bonney being well aware that il was impos
sibe for Birch to escape, except by jumping
overheard in which case his heavy chains
would sink him Immediately, suffered him K
go, and Birch, holding his CHAINS in his hands
to prevent their clanking, ascended to tht
deck. Cropping his way s,ealthily to the cap
tains office, he entered it, and threw a rapid
glance around the narrow apartment. Th,
clerk OF the boat was quietly sleeping within
and among some small articles of baggage
which we're piled upon one side Of the room,
small portmanteau caught at once the eyes o.
Birch. 1t was the portmanteau belonging Il
Bonney. This was the object which he sought
believing that it contained the watch-chain ant
seal Of Col, Davenport and other evidence oi
bis guilt, which had been found upon his per-
glance overspresd the features of Birch, as h'
saw this supposed damning witness aealns
him within his grasp, and its guardian 80 In
sensible in sleep to bis presence. Dropping OF
his hands and knees, he crawled towards the
portmanteau, and laying his hand upon it, b,
paused for a moment to look into the face o.
the sleeping clerk. to see if he could ventur,
to draw it from it's place without awaking tn,
sleeper. II he had been dead, the clerk coult
not have been more quiet, and his deep ant
regular respirations were warrant sufficient fol
Birch to proceed without fear. He did 30, ant
dragging the portmanteau down from the pile
on which 1t rested, he crept back safely to tn,
door, and stood upright with it on the deck
Another moment, aud be stood by the rails o.
the boat, over which, after testing it's weight t.
see i it was sufficient to sink it, he let tn,
portmanteau drop softly into the waves. Il
sunk the moment it touched the water, for /
contained the bowie knife that Birch had -four
ished over the head of Nrs. Mulford, the pis
tol belonging to John Long, from which Col
Davenport had probably received his dealt
wound, and other articles of equally heav,
bulk. As Birch bent eagerly forward to look il
the wake OF the boat, he had the satisfaction t
discover that not trace OF the portmanteaI
remained, and clInching his manacled han
convulsively on the rails. he mutttered To hlm