The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1880-03-25

of the nature OF his plan, and / be-
gan TO suspect 1 had committed a
piece of stupidity in consenting to
60 in his company.
A man who ventured into the
Black Hills country without carry
ing firearms of any description
could not be looked upon as very
formidable sort OF parsonage.
During the succeeding few days
it became generally known that the
stage, which was to leave for the
East on Thursday, would carry i
large amount of gold-dust, con
signed to Perrin &5 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 secure fash
ion that it would be the work of
hours to loosen it.
On the day before starting, Per-
kins gave me to understand that if
l wanted to see the fun, l was to
register and start on an eastern trip
in that stage. He said he and l
would be the only passengers, and
repe ated that he had q dead sure
thing of it.
I had noticed during the previ-
Gus few days that Perkins seemed
to be in the confidence of the stage
company. He held frequent con-
ferences with them, and was evi-
IDENTIFY party to some arrangement
that he limited about to me.
The fact that two other men ap
piled for and were refused passes
in the same vehicle indicated that
some unusual scheme was under
way; but Perkins took good care
that its precise nature should re
main unknown to all including my
self.
When finally the stage rolled out
of Deadwood it carried the treas
ure- box and nine persons. One
was the driver, Perkins and myself
were two others, while six men,
armed to the teeth, formed the
guard of the treasure-box.
mo wonder Perkins says there
is no DANGER" l thought, as these
terrible fellows clambe in and |
5ook their seats. Il should say
,hey were able to take care of a
regiment of McCrackens. 1 suspect |
here will be considerable shooting
going on, and it won't be the easiest
hing in the world to dodge the bull
cts. But McCracken Isn't fool,
md he won't attack any such a
party as this"
This was very natural conclu
'ion, but failed to see any partlc
liar brilliancy in the plan of Per
lins.
A company of armed men was
ent out in charge of box of gold
lust. There was reason to appre-
lend an attack from the road
gents, in which event, the road
gents would receive a hot recep-
ion.
That was all there was in that,
nd where was the glory of Perkins
o come from?
But hold!
Fairly beyond and clear of Dead
vood, the stage halted, and the six
nen got out ana left.
If ever a man was thunderstruck,
was. l turL ed to the grinning
Perkins:
"What the mischief does that
nean?"
"It's all rigbt-it's all rightr
e laughed.
81 think I'll go along with
hem,' 1 added, alarmed and angry.
If they're afraid to push on, 1 don't
ee what encouragement there is
Or me to keep the company of
IAN who doesn't carry pistol"
"Sit stillp' said he, catching my
rm and drawing me back. al have
OF pistol somewhere about the
oach, but it isn't loaded"
"Why have these men leftP l
emanded.
"Cause we don't need 'em."
"What can We do in case of an
ttack?"
you'll see; rest easy. Remem-
er l am with YOU"
l began to doubt which was the
rsater fool-Perklns or myself
/ placing such implicit trust in {
i'm. L concluded that an impair
al jury would award me the palm
stupidity; but 1 now made up
" mind to see the thing thro ugh. {
During the succeeding afternoon |
discovered that one of the iron /
ands which held the treasure box
, the bottom of the stage was [
'osened, and 1 Immediately called t
le attention of Perkins to the
lme.
At first he expressed surprise and t
oncern, but l soon saw it was all c
He knew of the loosen S
Ig of the band before it caught my t
7e; most likely he himself had t
lused it to be done-but he reso- L
Itely refused to admit anything of a
lie kind to me. l.
That evening was expected to be C
lie eventful one; and the driver, t
lrly Irishman, named Dennis Cal e
han, turned the horses SO as to
.ach the same gulch after dark, b
hen the moon had risen. b
Everything indicated that Per il
ms had striven TO invite the at
ok from the first. The open Sc O
et of the treasure box, the with n
laval of the guard, the timing of d
le arrival at the gulch-a1 these a
lowed that Michael McCracken t.
as specially invited to step for a
ard and take the booty.
"If you have put something else C
there" said 1, tapping the box s.
ith my foot, instead of money, l
il to see anything smart about it.
e will simply disappoint them d
ats all; and poor Pete learned u
70 danger of that" a
"All you have to do is to wait" q
"Haltw 0
1t was the same sharp, peremp- =
ry command to which the stage j
-ivers and passengers to and from o
e Black Hills have long since be- 4
,mc accustomed.
The team stoP@cd on the instant :
I'd, as before, lark figures, with e
aes leveled, Summoned US TO come s
rth and surrender.