The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-10-09
"Doee he lie p

suo utbs tttn6 III my utos j Only
came from the East one year ago.
l know him as . miner and nothing
else, aud, as he said, We have been
prospecting, are broke, aud want TO
get back TO the camps over the
range. That's the whole truth as 1
know it."
For moment there was hesitAn.
cy in the manner of my captor, and
| trembled then, with On oath, he
4 laid:
"Lot II got I will believe 70, for
ye look like an honest man, an
they're sca ce," and no grinued.
"Yere my guest until mornin. aud
then ye eau 60 on. But. he added,
with horrible emphasis, yeti zee to
fracei alone "
l thanked tho brute with the best
grace possible and turned away. As
l passed my comrade, bound and 81.
lent, dropped one word:
"Watch T.
The night dragged slowly on. One
by one the road agents rolled them.
selves 10 their blankets, anil lay
down to rost aud last, having ap-
pointed a guard for his prisoner,
Red Jim turned toward where his
horse Was tethered, there to sleep
with the bride about his arm until
danger for daylight awoke him.
Then. last OF au, too threw my.
self upon the ground. but not to
sleep. l must rescue Tom, for to
leave him in tho hands OF tbese
demons would be worse than ,nur-
der. With watchfal eye aud ear,
therefore, I waited and planned.
Ono against q dozen tho odds we're
desperate, and yet | must save him.
An hour passed. But tho skele-
ton Of the fire re,nsined--a few
glowing embers--and from the sound
about me l knew that all except the
guard we're asleep.
This, IL ever, was my time. Sim
ulatiug yawn, I slowly arose aud
stretched myself, then auntsred TO-
ward the spot where Tom lay. As l
approached his watchman turned to
ward me and placed his hand warn.
ingly upon his rifle. I smiled, and
said in low tone: "Don't shoot.
pard. I cant sleep, and thought
Id come and talk bit with you.'
With q muttered reply, Le made
room for me upon the log where no
sat.
He was hugo fello ', with arms
like Hercules, and q thick-knit
frame that promised enormous
strength. His weapons, rife aud
heavy knife. were within easy reach,
aud his keen eye followed my every
motion.
For time, I talked generally OF
the country, the game. mining and
other similar topics, drawing from
him bnt few replies. At last |
touched upou tho matter nearest my
heart, AMI with careful steps sound.
ed him upon the question of bribery.
He seemed to take more interest
in my words now aud at last, when
came to the decisive point, and
plainly asked him il he would let Tom
go it he was paid for it, he said
Yea
My heart bounded within mo.
"How much will you t,ke I" said
|. Speak quickly. Aud we must
have horses, too !"
"More'n ye've got, ye cussed
greenhorn," hissed the outlaw
'nore'n ye've got But I'll take
the yellow oil the same, for safe keep
in. and then turn ye over to the cap
in the mornin'."
And, quicker than thought, his
arms were around me, and was
borne struggling to the ground.
Although o much smaller man
than my opponent, was no child,
and fought furiously but be was to
strong for me,and at last I lay before
him breathless. one Of his hands
graspiug my throat, and the other
grasping his heavy knife, while his
eyes cleaned with murderous rage
For an instan. we glared ut each
other, both painting and exhausted
and bending closer, he whispered
aoarssly:
"Whars yer goldi Tell me. or
I'll cut your heart out Tell me
without o sound. or Ill-Thunder
and furiesl"
lie half relapsed his grasp. aud,
turning, struck at something upon
the ground. close by my side, with a
horrible oath.
There was the flash Of his knife,
sharp metallic ring, aud then 1.-the
something shot like quivsring light
ming straight at his face, and two
little drops OF blood ran down his
cheek, He was bitten by a rattle-
snake
The same Instant tho reptile drew
his slimy body across my hand. and
disappeared in his hole among tue
rocks near by, from which our strug.
gle had aroused him.
Ny captor breathed hard, and
turned deathly white.
Whiskey !" said he, hoarsA III
must have whiskey. or / die I"
He strove 10 rise, but Il was my
turn now. Wrapping my arms
around him with an energy born Of
despair, I bound him 20 me- II 1