Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-03-31
were torun risks. He does like q frieadly
chat, and ne pumps some people as dry as

"Crack your whip"
''1'll fight you fair, like a man. Tie
one arm down, give me pistol, and let
US take shot about, you the first"
"Sho', now.''
"Or I'll allow you two to one"
"Yes, I see you can allow most anythin',
but unless you move right On, and keep
movin, III make short work of ye."
A coyote rose slowly from sage brush,
looked at them sneakin gly over his shout
der, then trotted slowly away. A noisome
bind OF prey rose slowly from the carcass
OF mule, tapped its wings lazily, sailed
slowly through the air, then settled down
upon rib that protruded from the sand.
The suns rays poured down upon the plain
until the dust and sand seemed to melt
IN the tervld heat. And, to crown all, the
captive suddenly experienced the agony
OF excessive thirst.
A faint sound in the distance arrested
his attention. Was that not the sound Of
horses feet? What if 1t should prove to
be his friends-the VigilaHtes? Impos-
sible. His morning stroll was unknown
to them. The sound came nearer and
nearer TO him. Then he observed for tie
first time rocky defle further to the
lett, as though chasm lay there, or a
stream chiseled out its course across the
plains. Now there could be no mistak-
ing the sound. The steady t1ot of horses
feet and the clanking Of spurs could be
heard. Suddenly half a dozen horsemen
swept around low rock, at sight of
whom the captor grunted.
Here's Captain jim. Mind your
manners now, for he's the perlitest man
you ever met"
The captive shivered. When boy he
was detected in an act that brought upon
the wrath Of the teacher of the school in
the New England village he would never
see more. The eagle eye of the theacher
singled him out from score of mischief
makers, and he shivered as he felt that
the punishment awarded incorrigibles
was unavoidable. But he braced him.
self, walked out promptly to the middle
OF the floor the moment his name was
called, and, to his lasting surprise, was
let go with mild rebuke In much the
same manner Dick Hartford braced him;
self for the interview with the leader Of
the most desperate gang Of miscreants
that ever levied tax upon the travellers
who crossed the plains. This was the
man he had dreamed of circumventinp
The case was reversed
The road agents rode forward without
ORDER, and surrounded both horseman and
captive.
what have you got, Barham?n
MAKE your bow. It's captain jim"
said Barham. Then to Captain Jim's
query: THAT'S for you to find out. I
obeyed ORDERS
What magnificent front the captive
presented. His gaze was as clear and
steady and level as though he were look
ing through Captain jim, away beyond
the range, and off to the mountains in the
distance.
What have you to got to say for your
self, anyhow Captain Jims sinister
face clouled still more as he met the UNI
waverjng gaze Of the captive
Nothing replied the captive, as
he walked in front Of the leader.
"You are locked up, and the keys
lost" said Captain jim: sneeringly. I
think I know your business, I've mind
to send Ben Halliday your cars. No, I'll
send him your heart. This trip.is failure,
and Bent ought to know it. Ii you won't
talk
"l'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
gang.
T" You are seven to one,' said Hartford.
F." We are in the majority mostly" said
Jim. "But I'll give you a chance. You
are plucky. Now what does a milksop
life do for you? Come along with us,
share and share alike, we'll give you ex-
citement, and opportunity to show the
the stuff you are made Of"
To make one OF gang of murderers
who are afraid to cope man to man." said
the captive.
One of the gang at that moment level
ed his pistol at Harttord'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
dull red well ride down to the old
place and pull him up like dog. You
got what was on him." to Barham. Bar
ham nodded. There was not word said
further. The party rode on perhaps
twenty minutes,when the detile deepened,
narrowed, and the rocks shut over the
horsemen's heads. Then at given word
from Jim the men dismounted. Adyanc-
ing to Hartford, he said, with cruel
smile:
"Say your prayers, you have got five
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.
"Will you allow me to speak?'
'Blow away" answered Captain jim.
~ may as we'll tell you we'know all about
you. You've travelled fifteen hundred
miles to trap US. Ben Halliday tried that
game often. You CAV. yourself away
You expected to master 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, defantly. "When you've
murdered me, you may prepare for the