The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-10-09

1 ioSnS ouu Vut RhOREeSb WINS ucC6obU>
rily slow. We did not talk much
but kept bright look ont for both
outlaws aud Indians, and we mark.
cd our way by the stars that glim- :
mered overhead.
The night WAS cool and still, the
only sound which broke tho stiffness
being the grind OF the gravel under
our feet, or the occasional cry Of
some far away wolf.
We had proceeded thus for per-
haps four hours and had covered
q dozen miles or more, VIII en- we
found ourselves at the entrance OF
narrow cannon, through whose
dreary shadows our course lay, II
was IN "uucLnuy" place, and in-
stinctively | loosened my knife 10 my
sheath as we entered its yawniug
mouth, but old Tom tramped un-
consciously on, aud [ must needs
follow, deeper aud deeper grow the
darkness, tho towering walls fairly
threatened to meet overhead, whilo
moro aud more rough grew the rug
god path beneath, At length we
were obliged to crawl from point to
point, 80 thickly strewn with masses
of rock was the uneven floor.
Suddenly, sharp turn opened
before us the unexpected vision Of q
broad park covered with short grass,
aud through which ran a little
stream, aud about which, sitting.
standing, aud lying, were dozen az
rough looking desperadoes as the
border could produce while the
whole was brightly illuminated by
the light Of great fire which burned
in the centre Of the glade.
We had fallen into tho very trap
We were seeking to avoid, This
was tho night camp Of Red Jim's
gang.
II was too lateto retreat, for, even
as we looked, two or three men
sprang to their feet, aud. with weap
ous half raised, cried out to us
Halt T. So, with whispered.
"We're busted miners ask for
SHELTER Tom threw up his hands
and shouted loudly:
Friends !"
Then, with assumed boldness, we
both entered the arena, and were at
once surrounded by the scowling,
dark. .browed crew.
rom told our story-brokon.
hearted prospectors trying to retaru
to tue mining camps over the range,
aud travelling at night for fear OF
the Indians. Would they give Us
supper and sheltor!
a short conference was held, Rad
jim, brawny rufiiau. with blood
colored name VI hair aud beard, put
ting some close questions to us both;
aud at length, with not the best
grace in the world, our request was
granted, aud we were told to draw
up and help ourselves from the opca
provision pack npon the ground.
Hungry from our long walk, we
needed no second invitation, aud
were soon eating and talking with
those about us as familiarly as though
horse.thieves and cutthroats our
selves.
We dissembled fear, aud made no
attempt at private communica tiou.
Time for that by and by. We must
disarm all suspicion, or our throats
will be sore before morning.
The meal was nearly over, and I
had just washed down my last bite
Of jerked venison with Q draught of
6ery whiskey from the canteen OF a
hideous dwarf who sat near me, when
Red jim again approached us.
What's yenns names I" said be.
"Mine is Baldwin-Hauk Bald
win, said old Tom quickly; IAN
this young 'un is Major Dick Smith.
lie was in the Roosian War, aud is
green in this business, but Tm an
old San Juan country miner, where
l worked nine years afore l seed
this cussed region"
The ruffian looked at him shortly
for an instant, and then said
"Hold out your left haud!"
With sudden fear. l saw Toms
face grow ashen pale, and almost
imperceptibly bis hand moved to
ward his pistol.butt then, recover
ing himself, he obeyed with laugh.
"Thar it is, pard what's left of
it'-there were but two fingers and
q thumb. II crushed in Hall's
Gulch smelling works in seventy
two.
Red Jim leaned forward aud OK.
amined the member carefully. Then
his face became lurid, aud his wolf
ish eyes cleaned.
"You lie, you dog you never saw
the San Juan country. aud you lost
those fingers when you led the SOL
diers to my hiding place in Arizona!
You lost the fingers aud gave me
this to remember you BY" and he
pointed to Q long soar thai ra n
across bis forehead, "snd I've never
forgotten you I've prayed the
devel these fivo years that I might
fnd you, aud he's turned my friend
at last Seize him, boys" he con-
tinusd, "There q no tree handy, but
in the morning we'll try throwing
tho kuifei Seize him I"
In an instant my oomrade was
bound hand aud foot, aud made fast