The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1875-10-01


ut am" replied. unable to restarin
my mimic powers. ID - . = :.
"What, trail do you foller I" inquired
the old man, gazing very intently under
his long, gray eyelashes. .;..xt - -
II an ! telegraph operator. If you de-
sire to know my profession, Was my reply.
"An opcrator!" eagerly inquired one
"Ycs." n Nh ~ ! T.. t: ss*2r "
At this juncture the old man invited
as up to eat, and the: gang assembled
around the log table. The old man with
= long knife, divided huge piece Of buff
falo meat, and distributed it, with some
bareback, to the gang, who ate like vet
Grams. Shortly aiterward the old man
brought on some tin cups, then gong
to the corner filed from the cask long
ottle. On returning to the table he
poured into each cup some Of the liquor.
The young man whom the gang called
Ned drank his portion of. and turned his
cup upside down, he commenced with his
fin gers to beat upon it piano-like. 1t did
not attract my attention: until tho old
man cried out.
"What in Jerusalem arc you doing
with that thumpinx}"" ~ t":'',
II am trying ~ get an old tune back
into my memory. I'll could 1 would
sing it to you" replied Ned. >"
I then gave strict attention, and was
surprised to hear him measure off those
familiar sounds click, cleck, cleck,
cleck. cli.c;i.clcck. In IN instant it hasa.
cd upon my mind that this rufian was an
operator. I turned toward him-our
eyes met there was some thing in the
expression Of his that seemed say, 81 an
your friend"
l moved my finger as though l was
working an operators key, and slowly
spelled out, "Are you my friend!"
He Immediately answered. *'Yes-bo
warc-watch me-"
did watch him.
The gang arose and passed out ant
soon no one remained but the old man
Ned and myself. While the old man va:
busy, Ned resumed the conversation By
sound.
"Where are you from, and what il
your name = inquired the clicks on tn
cup.
I clicked out in return:
"From Chicago. George --."
"Great heavens! do you not know me
: George p spoke the cup. II am Henr,
the one that obtained for you sit
uation in Chicago"
Ills it possible |! How came you here z
I asked, with my fingers.
II went into the army the same tim
you did, deserted with q number, an
with our horses, started for California
We lost our way, our horses died ant
: not having the means Of travelling, We lo
= Gated with this old trapper. Since hav
! been here my comrades have turned int
5 band of cut. throats. You are in dan
s ger. Your horse is worth more than
:, dozen human lives. Follow my advic
and you are safe.'
II will.''
my comrades are suspicious Of me.
have tried to escape three times, All
they have overtaken me and dragged m
back, fearing that would bctray thei
whereabouts. Your party cannot be ia
from here. As soon as the men com
back say that you wish to see your hors
before you retire. Go out, mount him
, travel the back path. The moon is no,
coming up, and you will be able to Sc
\ your road. Keep out Of the forest on Il,
right, ana ascend the hill on the left
about two miles distant. In the mornin
if your party arc on this side Of the rive,
you can see them if they are within te
. miles. If you find them, bring ther
> here, and let me escape from these mul
derers.''
This Ned clicked out on his cup au
y with motions Of his fingers IS rapidly a
3 though he was talking.
r Soon the men returned, and when tn
, last one entered asked him il they ha
=. seen my horse, and the reply was that h
! was not At the door.
Il will see it he is safe before tur,
. in, IS wish to start early in tn
J. morning."
They all volunteered to accompany MI
b but I positively refused to permit then
On arriving outside, I started in pursu
i Of Hero. After getting some distane
j.. from the house, l placed my mouth
tn" ground, and gave long low whist
l that Hero was acquainted with. In
moment he was by my side, and vaul
!. ed on his back, and without saddle {
] bride, l rushed from the scene Of DANCE
q I had not proceeded more than a mi
1 when discovered blazing camp fire
t little way in the woods. Directing Hcl
= to the spot, in short time was at Il
: supper Of my comrades. They were gla
s to see me, and stated that they were
1 sarch of me until few minutes befor
|. I told my adventure over broiled bel
. and it was agreed that our party shout
3 make an attack on the hut at an earl
/. dawn.
Q Before tho sun had tippid the hills vii
It red, the busy hum Of preparations ",
heard in the camp, and in few momen
r We were in front OF the hut. Ten me
). were posted outside, with revolvers read
e for any emergency. The gang were all
Il their hunks, and each one Of my col
d rades chose his man, who was warned n
], to move hand or foot on pain of death.
I pointed to my friend, who was
n ricted to come from his bunk and 60 GU
&c side. One by one the gang were order.
from their hunks, and bound to the fe,
with strips Of buffalo hide. Our part
|. remounted their horses. and my preser
3 er, who had become an experienced gui,
. by his long residence in the country |,
US to the Ell Dorado State.