The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-02-06
THE BR|GANDS OF THE WEST,
OR
JOHN LONG,,
The Wolf of the Prairies.

was the summons which accompanied the third
signal.
Perhaps the old rat may not be at home,
said another voice in whisper.
"As likely as not he's off on one OF hls ras-
cally enterprises. said third.
mo, no he is here" replied the first voice.
I'm sure l saw a light as we came round the
turn in the road saying which its owner raped
more decidedly than before, and exclaimed,
''o open the door, Peter bingham. command
YOU in the name of the People OF the county or
Jersey. 1 am the Sheriff"
Just as l expected" said bingham in
whisper of terror over the shoulder OF the
Prairie Wolf and his comrade. % What's to be
done |? f"
whats to be done why we must cut our
way out, that's what's to be done" said Birch
in fierce Whisper. and at the same time eager
ly handling his knife.
"Wel, what's to become Of me? 1 can't cut
my way out" said the Old man with increased
tremulousness.
'qGo to the lookout again" said Long, not
noticing Hinghams fears, and see if there
are any horses in the party"
The old man crawled back to the aperture
which answered for his observatory, and after
placing bis eve for few moments to the chink
returned back with the word that he could not
tell
LET me try" SAID Long, taking him by the
hand show me the crack"
The old man led HIM cautiously to the wall.
The robber peered cautiously into the darkness
of the outer night. but baffled by the dense
ness OF the shadows from piercing beyond the
position of four or five dim figures, which
seemed to be resting on their guns within few
feet OF the hut, he tried the virtue of another
sense. and placed his ear to the hole. He listen
ed closely, after a moments pause he made q
motion as if his attention had been struck, ano
he pressed yet tighter against the wall. In 8
moment or two he came away and returned tc
his comrade, who still stood in the centre OF
the floor. :" It's all righ,," said he to Birch
4" l heard the stroke Of horses feet at the dis
tance Of about hundred yards to the left
They ere standing at rest, and if | am not mis-
taken they will be found tied to tree. If w
can cut those fellow. down IN the rear. we cal
mount and away before any OF the rest get
good shot at u.s."
But what's to become Of me-? " again in
terrupted the owner OF the hut. - | can't Gu
and run like you, besides, it isn't likely there
more than two horses"
"We1 take care OF you" replied the Prairi
Wolf. John Long never leaves his friends il
the lurch Get me piece OF rope"
The old man crawled off mechanically t
obey the order. and as the creak OF his weigh
; vanished up stairs the visitors clattered sti
more mpatiently at the front door.
II saw old man." repeated the leader OF th
posse IN more peremptory tone than evel
''if you don't open this door in two minute
well break 1t down."
I'm afraid we shall find that pretty toug
, work." said another Of the party IN an undt
tone. who, by rafting the entrance, found th'
it was stlffened with an inner barricade, 'thoug
the shanty looks as il it were ready to tumb
down. III warrant me it will be found as stror
as a castle"
'Well then let us 20 and cut sapling al
batter It in said third speaker
d, We'll try our shoulders first said the lea
er now. then, with will" and suitlng ii
action to the word, there followed heavy al
sudden press against the barricaded entran
that made all the timbers in front OF the o
dwelling crack.
God send that 1t may hold out. said Lon
with one OF those involuntary CALCULATIONS
religious faith, which the most goddess use
peril. "God send that it may hold out until '
are ready"
"God send that it may, said Birch, = thoui
u do not know what you are waiting for. 1t
plain that these fellows are just IN the hum
to hang US up to the first tree, if they take
: alive"
Blow after blow then resounded against t
door, but though the whole front Of the hou
swerved in its fastenlngs, the entrance still ]
mained faithful to it's bonds.
. Let us burn down the ID shanty," 5;
one of the crowd, who seemed incensed by
appointment and agitated by fatigue.
ga good suggestion" replied the lead
:, "let some one go to the clump of trees to
left where the Major and left our horses, a
bring here the hight
"A godsend," exclaimed Long in his co
rade's ear, "a godsend We shall now
able to know which way to run when we II
forth. Stand where you are
saying this, the Prairie Wolf crawled back
the rear crevice and listened to the footsteps
they went IN the direction where he had he
the first sound of hope. Shortly afterwa
the steps returned, and the glimmerng @
lantern through the trees marked chart
him upon the darkness, which he transfer
the firmly to his mind. lie then Withdrew to m
bingham, who was descending the stairs v
the cord for which he had been sent.
II " Now Capt. John what's the word ?" as
" the old man, in the tone Of criminal who
inquirng into the method of his execution.
You say you cannot cut your way out,
know you can't" said Long, a." besides if
could it would not be prudent to try Il
its chance if there are more than two hor
and IL there we're more, it would be doub
hng thing IL the whole three could escape.
must stay here, but to prevent you from b,
. compromised by our acts we Will gag you