The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-10-21


which, sitting, standing and lying, we're
a dozen as rough looking desperadoes
as the borderland could produce. while
the whole scene was brilliantly illumined
by the light of great fire which burned
near the center OF the glade.
We had fallen into the very trap we
were seeking to avoid. This was the
night camp of the Red Jim's gang!
1t was too late to retreat, for, even as
we looked, two or three of the men
sprang to their feet, and, with weapons
half raised cried out to us, "Halt!" So
with whispered, "We're busted miners !;
ask for a shelter" Tom threw up his
hands and shouted loudly:
"Friends!"
Then with assumed boldness we both
entered the arena, and were at once sur-
rounded by the scowling. dark -browed
crew.
Tom told our story-broken- hearted
prospectors trying to return to the min
ing camps over the range, and travelling
at night for fear Of the Indians. Would
they give us supper and shelter2
A short consultation was held, Red
Tim, brawny rufiisn, with blood-col-
ored name Of hair and beard, putting
some close questions 10 US both and at
length, with not the best grace in the
world, onr request was granted, and we
were told to draw up and help ourselves
from the open provision pack upon the
ground. ~
Hungry from our long walk, we need
ed no second invitation, and we're soon
eating and talking with those about us
as Familiarity as though horse thieves and
cu'-throats ourselves. H
We dissembled fear and made no at.
tempt at private communication. Time
for that by.and-by. We must disarm all
suspicion or our throats would be sore
before morning. oa
The meal was nearly over, and l had
just washed down my last bite of jerked
venison with draught Of fiery whisky
from the canteen OF hideous dwarf who
sat near me, when Red Jim approached
US. 1l
"What's We 'uns names r. said he. Z
"Mine is Baldwin4Hank Baldwin,
said old Tom, quickly, "and this young
'un is Major Dick Smith. He was 10
the Roosian war, and is green at the bu-
siness but I'm an old San Juan country
miner, where l worked nine years afore
l ever zee this cussed region"
The ruffian looked at him sharply for
an instant and then said:
"Hold out your left hand"
With q sudden fear saw TOMS face
grow asben pale,and me st imperceptibly
his hand moved toward his pistol belt /;
then, recovering himself, he obeyed with
laugh. 1a a
"Thar it IL, pard; what's left of it,
there were but two fingers and thumb
III crushed it in Halls Gulch smelling
works in To-"
Red Jim leaned forward and examinPd
the member carefully; then his face be-
came lurid and his wolish eyes gleam-
ed.
"You lie, you dog! You never saw
the San Juan country,and you lost those
fingers when you led the soldiers to my
hidden camp in Arizona. You lost your
fingers and gave me this to remember
you by" anG he pointed to long scar
that ran across his forehead, sand I've
never forgotten you. I've prayed the
devil these FIVE years that l might find
you, and he's turned nv friend at last !!
Seize him, boys" he continued. There's
no tree handy, but in the morning we
will try throwing the knife. Seize him J"
In an instant my comrade was bound
hand and foot and made fast 20 an i'm
mense bowlder He made no signs of
resistance; il would have been worse
than useless, and / was motionless with
terror.
"Red' JIM" said Tom, and his voice
was husky. ''ye have got me, and ye can
do with me as ye please I'm not half
breed nor a woman to cry at the whiz of
a knife, but for Gods sake let that young
man go! He's an honest miner, and only
knows me as snch. He never saw me
until last fall. Do not punish him for
my score"
The chief turned to me.
"Does be lie p
81 met Tom Blackburn last fall for the
first time in my life. 1 only came from
the East one year ago; know him as a
miner, and nothing else, aud, as he said,
we have been prospecting, are 5roke,and
want to get hack to the camps over the
range. That's the whole truth as ] know
it,"
For a moment there was hesitancy
in the manner of my captor, and l trem-
bled /; then with an oath he said:
"Let him go! ! will believe ye, for
ye look like an honest man, and they're
sca'ce," and be grinned. "Ye're my
guest outil mornin', an then ye can GO
on. But" he added with horrible
emphasis, "ye'll have to travel alone"
thanked the brute with the best grace
possible, and turned away. AS passed
my comrade, bound and silent, I dropped
one word:
"Watch T.
The night dragged slowly on. One
ny one the road agents rolled themselves
in their blankets and laid down to rest,
and at last, having appointed guard
for his prisoner, Red Jim turned toward
where his horse was tethered, there to
sleep with the bride about his arm until
danger or daylight awoke him.
Then, last of all. l too threw myself
upon the ground; but not to sleep. !
must rescue Tom, for to leave him IN
the hands of those demons would be
worse than murder With watchful eve
and ear, therefore, I waited and planned.
One against dnzen-the odds we're des-
perate, and yet must save him
An hour passed. But the skeleton of
the fire remained-a few glowing en-
bers-and from the sounds about me /
knew that all except the guard were
asleep.
This, il ever, was my time. SimuIa-
ting yawn, l slowly arose and stretch
ed myself, then sauntered toward the
spot where Tom lay AS I approached,
his watchman turned toward me and
placed his hand warningly upon his
rife. / SIN lied, and said in low tone :
"Dop't shoot. pard. I cannot sleep.