The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1874-12-17

"Perhaps it wouId be wise, Sergeant; and if
YOU think SO still, will be ruled by you"
.sIf We once get to the riverside, where our |
horses mought have water, almost think / |
shnuld advise q halt there. Although i have |
made one observation, Major Butler-that run |
ming water Is lean fare for 4 hungry man. Hows-
ever, It won't hurt ms, aud if you say the word,
we will stop there"
t'Isn't that the gIimmer Of light yonder in the
{nshessu inquired Horseshoe, as he turnei his
gaze i'm the direction Of the bivouac; "or is it
these here lightning bugs that keeps 50 busy
shooting abOut"
Il Thought saw the light you speak Of, Gal
braith; but it has disappeared"
''It u there again, Major; and hear the rush
sng of the riyer-we are near the ford. Perhaps
this comes from some cabin on the hank
"God send that il should turn out SO, Galbraith;
for am very weary"
'sThere is some deyilment going on in these
woods, Major. l saw a figure pass III trout OF the
light, through the bushes l would be wiiiIng
to swear il was a man on hnrsebhck Perhaps
we have by chance fallen on some Tory muster;
or, what's not so likely, they may be friends
think will ride forward, and challenge;
GBetter pass unobseryed, if you can, Sergeant
interrupted Bntl-r. 1t VIII NOT ao ,oa M r. US ., a.
run the risk of being separated; Here we are az
the river: let MS cross, and ride some distance;
then, il any one follow us, we shall DC more GER
tain of his Designs
Tb.v now cautiously advanced into the river,
,~birb tbough rapid was shallow; and having
Reached the middle of the stream, they halted TO
aIlsw their horses water.
-sCaptain Peter is as thirsty a man in fe
YER" said Horseshoe. "He drinks as If he was
LAYING in for a week. Now, Major, since we are
here IN the river, lOok up the stream. Don't yOu
see from the image in the water, that there's a
fire on the bankf And there, by my sonI there
are men on horseback. Look towards the light.
Spur, and out on the other side! Qulck-qulck-
they are upan us"
At the same instant that Horse Shoe spoke. q
bullet whisted close by his ear; and, in the next.
six or eight men galloPed into the river, fr"'n
different points. This was succeeded by sharp
report of firearms from both parties, and the
vigorous charge of Robinson, followed by Butler,
through the army of assailants. They gained
the opposite bank, and now directed all their ef
farts to Outrun their pursuers; but in the very
Crisis of their escape, Buffers horse, bounding
under the prick of the spur, staggered few pa.
ces from the river, and fell dead. bullet had
lodged in a vital part, and the energy OF the
brave steed was spent in the effort to bear his
master through the stream. Buter fell beneath
the stricken animal, from whence he was unable
to extricate himself The Sergeant, seeing his
comrades condition, sprang from his horse, and
ran to his assistance, and, in the same interval
the ruffian followers gained the spot and sur
rounded their prisoners. An Intellectual strng
gle ensued over the prOstrate horse ana rider lh
which Robinson bore down more than Que OF ms
adversaries but was Obliged. at last, 10 yieid 10
the overwhelming power that presseu upon MN
HBUry your swords in both of them to the
hiItsp shouted Habershaw: Il don't want to
have the work to do tomorrow
nStapd OFF, cried Gideon Blake, rs two OF
three of the gang sprang forward 10 execute tneir
Cantain's order; 'stand off! the man IS on his
back. and he shall not be murdered in cold blood;
and the speaker took position near Bntler, pre-
Dared TO make good his resolve. The spirit of
Blake had its desired effect, and the same assail-
ants no W turned npOn Horse Shoe.
"HoId!" cried PeppeTcOrn, throwing mp his
sword and warding off the blows that were aimed
by these men at the body of the Sergeant. Hold.
Won knavesi this is my prisoner. i will deal with
him to my liking. Would dozen of you strike
one man, when he has surrenderedf Back,
We towards; leave him to ME. How now, old
Horseshoe; are you caught, with your gay mas
ter heref So, yield with good grace, lest,
peradVeuture, 1 might happen to blow out your
brains"
"Silence, fellows! You carrion crowsl" cried
Habershaw. Remember the discipline taught
you. No disorder, nor confusion, but take the
prisoners, since you haven't the heart to strike;
take them to the rendezvous. And do it quietly
do you heart Secure the baggage; and about
il quickly, yOu hOundsr
Butler was now lifted from the ground, and,
with his companion, was taken into custody of
Blake aud one or two of his companions, who
seemed to share in his desire to prevent the she'd
ding of blood. The prisoners were each mounted
behind one of the troopers, and in this condition
conducted across the river. The saddle and 9th
sr equipments We're stripped FROM the Majors
dead steed; and Robnsons horse, Captain Peter.
was burdened with the load of two wounded
men, whose own horses had escaped from them
in the fray. In this guise the band of freeboOt-
ers, with their prisoners and spuils, slowly and
cOnfusedly made their way to the appointed place
of re-assembling. In a few moments they were
ranged beneath the chestnut, waiting for orders
from their self-impOrtant and vain commander.
fro BE CoNTINUED.1