Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-09-28

to deal. This method of "shadowing''
vTas then, as now, in popular usage
among cut-throats of the mountains.
The forward rider continually slack
ened his pace, dropping back, while the
hoof-falls of the one behind were dis
tinctly audible. Sharply surveying the
darkened chapparel on either hand DIS
he passed by, Matt calculated the
chances of a sudden dash down one Of
tile side paths, for, in consideration of
the trust-money in his possession, this
seemed an occasion on which 6 discre-
| ton was the better part of yalor!s" Nc
such opportunity presented itself. There
appeared only the one straight track
ahead. a gu
Matt had not failed to observe by this
time that both ENTHUSIASTICALLY they
undoubtedly were-were better Aount-
eel than himself; still, as they wTe only
two to one, he had just resolved on a
desperate venture, when, right in ad-
yanceof him, from q break in the chap
parel, rode out a third horseman.
"Ihrow up, or I'll blow your brains
Quit" he shouted, hoarsely, with sug-
| gestive click at the lock of formidable
| six.shooter.
An armed and mounted man barred
the road at back and front. Matt obe-
diently threw up both hands.
Still covering him with his revolver,
the man advanced close to his side, his
accomplish in front also closing upon
the intended victim.
"Pass over your pile!" demandedthe
| spokesman, laconically, holding out his
left hand, while with his right he kept
the pistol in close proximity to MATHS
near temple.
Matt handed over a miserably lean
purse.
"You haven't made much of a haull'
he exclaimed, with well feigned bitter
ness So and such as it is, I car It truth
fully say that you're welcome to it,"
His interlocutor interrupted with a
threatening air:
emo further parley. Hand over that
dust you've got about you, before 1 send
a bullet to let daylight through your
carcass, and help myself to it."
"Pinch a goose bare, and then call
for more feathers" begun Matt, stout
ly. "I'm a played-out individual-just
up from Sandy Flat-clean played QUIT
Shoot away, it We want to; doggoned
if I've much to live for, anyway"
"Hold! For Gods sake, hold :" at
that instant cried a strangely familiar
voice, and Matt beheld the third assas-
sin crowding up.
-" What in - does this mean ?''
grewled the spokesman, falling back a
pace or two, though still keeping in
range the cooked weapon.
A glance at his preserver, and Matt
started nearly out of his saddle.
"My Godi Sam Ross, is that yOu?"
"Oh, no! A particular friend of
yours, is it?" exclaimed the leader,
lowering his weapon at a Few hurried
worCs from Sam. "It's lucky you
didn't speak just a second zoo late"
GAS you value Jour life, make no at
tempt to escaped" warned Sam, as he
passed on, comforting with his two COM
p~anions in earnest tones.
Al few moments of hesitation, and his
arguments appeared to prove conclusive
ones, for directly the burly leader came
back with MATHS purse in his hand.
We've nothing to take from you,n
he said, restoring it. Gross swears it's
all right. You'll have to bear us COM
pany awhile, for your own sake, and,
remember, he's responsible for your be
havisr."
The two went on in advance, while
Sam rode up by MATHS side.
81 vel mistrusted twas you until
the very last moment" he said, shame
facedly. 81 reckon you didn't expect
to see me?"
EIIorn 1ooS% 1f oil - ,o-l,oI MAJ
earnestly. 81 can't say that Pm glad
to meet you so, Sam; but, anyhow, |
can't forget that you've been the saving
of my life, not to speak of the"
"Hush!" he returned, with a quick,
warning gesture; then continued trem-
ulously: "Many's the favor I've had
from you, and nowI'm glad of achance
to pay it all back" .....tl
a "But this is a terrible position for
you to be in, SAM" urged Matt, in
stern rebuke. T.. 4r
81 know it! I know it," he answer-
ed, gloomily. GIVE been a poor stick
all my life, and it seems [ just begin to
see it, o I'm over the last fence.
When a fellow gets to going down hill
as | have, the sooner he gets to the bot
tom the better" s..
- "San, how were you ever led into
this p"
"You've heard about my carvings
on at 'Frisco"-and-and that-worn-
AM" began Sam, nervously. "Cnrse
'em ALL forgot can't tell you any
thing eA.-
"But you wish you were out of it?"
.p :" OH Of IT," and the mans voice
broke down in a sound like tears. ado
you know" recovering himself, ga
good many years ago, when l wasn't
quite SC good-for-notRing as you know
me for, there was a little gal that loved
me. Ii she'd a-lived, I'd a. been a bet
ter man. l dreamed about her last
night, and She HID my hand, jest as she
hid it afore she died, and she says, jest
as she said it then: Sam, we're
promised, but I can't stay. Don't for
get me, Sam, and I'll wait for you up
yonder.' E. r., ~