The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-05-27

come testing remark to McCracken.
The latter was SO enraged that he raised
his rifle ami shot the poor fellow dead.
This horrible proceeding appalled, us
for time, and we scarcely spoke until
the gang Were gone. Then We picked
up poor Pete's body, placed it within
the coach tool; the seat ourselves, and
drove By turns until we reached Dead
wood.
We rode in silence for mile or SO,
Perkins holding the reins, and then as
he drew the team down to walk, he
exclaimed:
by the great horned spoon do you
know what I'm going to do 2
"No."
"Tm going to get square with that
McCracken. III pay him for shooting
poor Pete
How"
"Never mind how. It's going to be
done . that's as sure as you're born.
I've been thinking over the thing, and
I've got it fixed. Do you want to .jine
meY
"Yes, provided I know the nature of
the undertaking In IA matter of this
kind / don't propose to 90 it blind"
The moon was up SO that we could
see each others faces with the greatest
distinctncss.
Perkins turned his head as if he We're
about to explain, and then checked
himself and switched off in another d.
rection.
There amt bit Of danger in my
scheme"
Not even to McCracken e.
"What are YOU talking about You
ought to be ashamed of yourself to
speak with such disrespectful remarks.
| mean there won't be any danger to
you or Inc, but the biggest kind Of fun.
Will you 60 along"
Every likely" | answered, hoping to
draw the scheme from him by course
of cross examination, but in that respect
| was disappointed.
| couldn't gain the least mixing Of
the nature of his plan, and | began to
suspect | had committed piece Of
stupidity in conserving TO 60 in his
company
A man who ventured into the Black
Hills country without carving fire arms
of any description could not be looked
upon as very formidable sort of per-
sonage
During the succeeding few days it
became generally knowa that the stage
which was to leave for the East on
Thursday would carry large amount
of gold dust, consigned to Perrin IL
Brothers, st. Louis
In accordance with the cUstom, this
was placed in an iron box, which was
fastened to the bottom Of the stage in
such a secure fashion that it would be
the work of hours to loosen it.
On the day before starting, Perkins
gave me to understand that if | wanted
to see the fun | was to register and start
on an Eastern trip in that stage. He
said he and l would be the only pgssen
gers, and repeated that he had dead
sure thing of it.
had noticed during the previous few
days that Perkins seemed to be in the
confidence of the Stage Company. He
held frequent conferences with them,
AMI was evidently a party to some ar
rangement that he had limited about to
ne.
The fact that two 9th men applied
for and We're refused passes i'll the same
vehicle indicated that some unusual
sch,me was under way, but Perkins
took sood care that its precise nature
should remain unknown to all, including
myself.
When finally the stage rolled out of
Deadwood, it carried the treasure box
aud nine persons. One was the driver,
Perkins and myself were two others,
while six men, armed 10 the teeth,
formed the guard of the treasure box.
No wonder Perkins says there is nc
danger | thought, as THESE terrible tel
lows clamherrd in aud took their seats.
81 should say ,Gev were able to take
car ii a regiment OF McCrakens
suspect there wil he considerable shoot
my .oin on, and t won't be tho easiest
thing III tn. world 10 dodge the bullets.
But McCracsen isn't a tool, and he
won't attack ANY such party as this"
This W a very ns ursl concu slon,
but | failed t. ST. any particular bril-