The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1875-10-02

What IL 1 should be attacked 2"
thought he. 81 have nothing to de-
fend me, and enough money to make 1t
a good haul for such gentry. Humbug |
/ don't believe there is any danger -"
Halt I"
And two dark forms sprang into the
road, seized his bride, and the steely
glitter of pistols leveled at him, within
few feet of his breast, startled him.
Like fash. his good tight arm
struck the weapon from the hand of
the robber, and fell heavily upon the
shoulder Of the fellow and with sud
den Jerk of the powerful arm he was
hauled over the saddle bow, while old
Hero, in response to dig of thu spur,
sprang away, 10, king the other rObber
off his feet, and causing his bullet to
spread wide of its intended victim.
On through the gloomy woods, and
out again upon the open prairie. DASH
ed the horse with his double burden,
while the robber struggled like child
In the powerful grasp of his captor. A
closing of the fingers over his neck soon
reduced him to quiet and, held in this
manner, he rode an unwilling captive,
and, at last, the lights Of Oberville ap-
peared, aud soon they we're in the vii.
lsge. At a word from his master,
Hero stopped in front of the post office,
from the window Of which a CHEEKY
light shone, denoting that the assistants
were still busy replacing the goods that
had been taken down during the days
traffic.
IIilloa |" cried Gilbert
A head appeared at the door, and a
voice answered" Hilloal Who's there"
"It's me, John, and have got some-
thing nice here come and help me in
with it," answered Charley.
It's Gilbert" said John address,
ing his fellows .shopman. !" What's
that you've got, Charley? saddle of
venisOn p asked John as he approach
ed.
Better than that, John. 1t is
real live little deer. Come aud lift him
down, but hold him FAST" said Gilbert.
The astonished shOpmen gathered
about, and Charley told them of his ad-
venture. Soon the robber was releas-
ed from his unpleasant position on the
saddle and taken into the store, where
his captOr followed.
Here he was safely bound.
"I think l have seen this fellow be-
FORE" remarked John as h. took a sur
very of the captive. "He is that
stranger who was sitting at the stove
here when Mr.. Harmon paid your
money. Charley"
Let's search him, and see what
sort Of plunder he has about him."
suggested one of the shopmen.
The prisoners pockets revealed a
small fla X OF liquor, a pack of cards,
some little money, aud a savage-look-
ing dirk knife.
Hilloa, what's this ?" exclaimed
Gilbert, picking up a piece of paper
that fell ON the floor, and opening it,
read lone thousand dollars reward
for the capture of one William Larkin,
the supposed leader vi gang of rob
bers and horse. stealers. He is q short,
slim man, dark hair, heavy black eye
brows, and moustache, and peculiar
looking, small black eyes"
Answers the decription to T."
broke ia John.
aha William Larkin, or Curly
Bill I've heard of him. Charley,
you re in luck / This fellow is prize
indeed |" added one of the assistants.
"Yes this plaeard is from the sher-
riff OF st. Joe, and is dated only
week ago." said Charley, after finish
ing the reading.
Gentlemen" said the robber, "you
have got the original Curly Bill, and
when you deliver me up, you will get
that reward. l am in your power ; but
these strings are bound around my
wrists most numerically tight, with
a grimace of pain. Cant you afford
TO make 'em easier?"
"Yrs, let them out little, Jones'"
said John, addressing ftllow-assist-
ant. Make them safe, but not too
tight. aud will watch the bird mean.
WHILE"
So Jones proceeded cautiously to re-
arrange the bonds on the wrists Of the
prisoner, while the others gathered
around him.
With q sudden jerk Of prodigious
strength, Curly Bill got his bonds free,
dashed his fist In the face Of John, and
spIaBg to the door, which had not been
locked.
So sudden was his movement, that
ere the rest of the group could compre-
hend the scene, he Was clear of the
store, and rs Gilbert reached the door,
he saw the robber spricg into the sad
die on old Hero's back and dash away,
Pursuit was not to be thought Of /;
but Gilbert placed his fingers to his
mouth, and gave shrill whistle I;
hearing which, old Hero, despite the
urging of his rider, wheeled suddenly,
and at the same wild gallop, started
back to his master.
Seeing this, Curly Bill attempted to
throw himself from the saddle but, in
so doing, his foot caught in the stirrup,
and he was dragged helplessly over the
hard ground. Fortunately for the vic
tim OF this mishap. the distance was
not great, OF the result might have
been far more serious.
How often it Is that the merest tri1-
ing accident contributes to the ends OF