The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-25

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.
The meal was nearly over, and l had
Just washed down my last bite of jerked
venison with a draught of fiery whisky
from the canteen of hideous dwarf who
sat near me, when Red Jim again ap-
preached u.s.
whats ye'uns names?" said he.
"Mine is Baldwin-Hank Baldwin.
said old Tom, quickly, "and this young
'un is Major Dick Smith. He was in the
Roosian war, and is green at this busi-
ness; but Pam an old San Juan country
miner, where | worked nine years afore |
ever seed this cussed region"
The ruffian looked at him sharply for an
instant, and then said:
"Hold out your left hand"
With sudden fear | saw Toms face
grow ashen pale, and almost impercepti-
bly, his hand moved toward his pistol
belt; then, recovering himself, he obeyed
with a laugh.
"Thar it is, pard; what's left of it,
there were but two fingers and a thumb
"I crushed it in Halls Gulch Smelling
Works in ~"
Red Jim leaned forward aud examined
the member carefully. Then hisface be.
came lurid, and his wolfsh eyes cleaned
"You lie, you dog! you never saw the
San Juan country, and you lost those fin
gers when you led the soldiers to my hid
den camp in Arizona! You lost the fin
gers and gave me this to remember you
by" and he pointed to long scar thai
ran across his forehead, "and I've never
forgotten you. I've prayed the devi
these five years that mind you, and he'
turned my friend at last! Seize him
boysl" he continued. "There's no tree
handy, but in the morning we try throw
ing the knife Seize himw
In an instant my comrade was boun(
hand and foot, made fast to an immenst
boulder. He made no signs of resist
ance; it would have been worse thai
useless, and was motionless with terror
"Red Jim," said Tom, and his voic,
was husky, aye hev got me, and ye can d'
with me as ye please. Pm not a half
breed nor a woman to cry at the whiz o
a knife, but, for Gods sake, let that youn!
man go! He's an honest miner, and only
knows me as such. He never saw M
until last fall. Do not punish him fol
my score"
The chief turned to me.
"Does he lieT'
II met Tom Blackburn last fall for the
first time in my life. l only came from
the East one year ago. I know him as {
miner, and nothing else, and, as he said
we have been prospecting, are broke, anc
want to get back to the camps over the
the range. That's the whole truth as
know it,"
For moment there was hesitancy il
the manner of my captor, and | trem
bled; then, with an oath. he said:
'Let it go! | will believe We, for "
look like an honest man, and they're
sca'ce," and he grinned. "Ye're my guest
ontil mornin', on then ye can go on
But" he added, with horrible empha.
sis, "ye'll hev to travel alone"
| thanked the brute with the best grace
possible, and turned away. AS I passed
my comrade, bound and silent, dropped
one word
"WatchW
The night dragged slowly on. One by
one the road agents rolled themselves in
their blankets and laid down to rest; and
at last, having appointed a guard for hi,
prisoner, Red Jim turned toward where
his horse was tethered, there to sleer
with the bride about his arm until dan
ger or daylight awoke him.
Then, last of all, 1 too threw myself
upon the ground; but not to sleep.
must rescue Tom, for to leave him in the
hands of these demons would be worse
than murder. With watchful eye and ear
therefore, | waited and planned. One
against dozen-the odds were desperate
and yet | must save him.
An hour passed. But the skeleton Of
the fire remained-a few glowing emberG
and from the sounds about me | knew
that all except the guard were asleep.
This, if ever, WAS my time. Simulat
ing yawn, slowly arose and stretched
myself, then sauntered toward the spot
where Tom lay. As I approached hi,
watchman turned toward me and placed
bis hand warningly upon his rifle.
smiled, and said in low tone:
"Don't shoot, pard. | can't sleep, ant
thought I'd come and talk a bit will
you"
With a muttered reply, he made room
for me upon the log where he sat.
He was huge fellow, with arms like
Hercules, and a thick-knit frame tina
promised enormous strength. His weap
ons, a rifle and heavy knife, were within
easy reach, and his keen eyes followed m,
every motion.
For time talked generally of tn
country, the game, mining, and othe
similar topics, drawing from him but fe,
replies. At last touched upon the mat
ter nearest my heart, and with careful
} steps sounded him upon the question 0
bribery.
He seemed to take more interest in m
) words now; and at last when | came t
the point, and plainly asked him if h
) would let Tom 60 if he was paid for i