Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-05-22

low rock, at sight of whom the captive
grunted.
Here's Captain Jim. Mind your
manners now, for he's the perlitest man
you ever met"
The captive shivered. When a boy
he was detected in an act that brought
upon him the wrath of the teacher of
the school in the New England village
he would never see more. The eagle
eye of the teacher singled him out from
score of mischief-makers, and he
shiyercd as he felt that the punishment
awarded incorrigibles was unavoidable.
But he braced himself, walked out
promptly to the middle of the floor the
moment his name was called, and, TO
his lasting surprise, was let go with a
mild rebuke. In much the same man
ner Dick Hartford braced himself for
the interview with the leader of the
most desperate gang of miscreants that
ever levied a tax upon the travellers
who crossed the plains. This was the
man he had dreamed of circumventing.
The case was reversed.
The road agents rode forward with
out order, and surrounded both horse
man and captivs.
"What have you got, Barham:"
Make your bow. It's captain Jim,"
said Barham. Then to Captain Jim's
query: That's for you to find out. /
obeyed orders.''
What a magnificent front the captive
presented. His gaze was as clear and
steady and level as though he were look
ing right through Captain Jim, away
beyond the rancho, and off to the meun-
tains in the distance.
"What have you got to say for your
self, anyhow 2" Captain Jim's sinister
face clouded still more as he met the
unwavering gaze of the captive.
Nothing" replied the captive, as he
walked in front of the leader.
81 You are locked up, and the keys
lost" said Captain Jim, sDeeringly. 81
think | know your business. I've a
mind to send Ben Halliday your ears.
No, I'll send him your heart. This
trips a failure and Ben ought 10 know
it. Ii you won't talk"
"I'll die first." The words were
flung at him so passionately that even
Captain Jim was moved to admiration.
"Die it is then ~ exclaimed one of
the gang.
sYou are seven to one," said Hart
ford.
:" We are in the majority mostly"
said jim. ''But I'll give you chance.
You are plucky. Now, what does a
miIksop life do for you? Come along
with us, share and share alike, and
Wen give you excitement, and oppor-
tnnity to show the stuff you are made
Of"
.'To make one of gang of murder
ers who are afraid to cope man to III an.
said the captive.
One of the gang at that moment lev
elea his pistol at Hartford's head. But
the leader ordered him TO keep his fire
until there was need for it. Let us
do this thing in ORDER" said Captain
jim, as the scar on his cheek became
livid, then a Gull red :" Wen ride
down to the old place and pull him up
like dog. You got what was on him."
to Barham. Barham nodded. There
was not a word said further. The party
rode on perhaps twenty minutes, when
the defile deepened, narrowed, and the
rocks shut over the hOrsemen's heads.
Then at a word from Jim the men dis
mounted. Advancing to Hartford, he
said with cruel smile:
/" Say your prayers. you have got hve
minutes to live. Mount that stone"
There was ledge above the captive's
head, with jutting point, over which
a rope was thrown, and moose made
at the end of it.
s-Will you allow me to speak'
"Blow away" answered Captain
Jim. 81 may as well tell you we know
all about you. You've travelled fifteen
hundred miles to trap us. You gave
yourself away. You expected to mas
ter the road, and the biggest BOBBY
among us mastered you. Now fire
away"
well, then, let me predict what
your end will be-" said the captive.
With the moose around his neck, and
gloating eyes and fierce faces for his
audience, he spoke out clearly, DELI
antIy. when you've murdered me,
YOU may prepare for the hereafter.
There will be no rest for you. A man
will come after me who VIII hunt you
down like the cowardly dogs you are.
He will never rest until you are driven
out of the country, and his reach Will
sweep to California. Once he marks
man. that mans fate is sealed. He is
not nv friend. He knows my mission,
and. if it fails, he will shoot every man
down with his own hand whom he sus-
poets of knowing anything about me,
or nv death. That's all. I'm ready"
"what's that !" exclaimed one of the
gang listening.
"Up with him." The rope frightened
around Hartford's throat, he felt him