The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1881-09-15

/ WV h'u- piuccs DettTe WusCu were
stretched threo dark forms wrapped
in tattered and greasy blankets.
The CLEAN Of tirearms, as they lay
piled IN corner. did not escape nv
attention. aud yon may depend
did not feel the easiest in my mind
as l drow up before the fire with my
dog coiled up at my feet.
In my exhausted state, despite the
danger felt was lurking about me.
| must have dropped OF to sleep.
my head finding support against a
projection Of the chimney.
Tho low monotonous hun OF
voices fell upon my ear, aud eau
t'ously accommodating from beneath
the visor of my cap | found that the
three sleepers had aroused them
selves and were in dead, earnest
consultation with the gentleman
whom had frat accosted.
Straining my ears to the utmost |
could manage to catIh occasional
fragments OF sentences as they drop.
ped from the lips OF tho four com'
RACES, who were as promising can
didates for the gallow' as ever |
care to meet again unler like cir-
,culnstauceS.
The howl anl rush Of the gale hal
ceased, but the occasional patter Of
rainirops falling from tho leaves
aud tho ROOT OF tho rincl proved
that the storm had bat recently
passed away.
"Do you notice the glitter OF those
buttons y remarked ono Of the
four,
'Curso the buttons ~ broke in an
other fercely "of what value are
they I It's the glitter of gold | like
to see--aul we have alreriy wasted
too much valuable tune. for Que
say kill him. II the Yankee dog had
u dozen livos thoy shoul | all DO for.
feited lle has como here unaskol (;
ho shall not depart 80 easily"
"Uush, Juan YOU are too hasty
The question is, viii it piy better
to dispose Of him ourselves anl
share the plunler or tnko him tp
Cana!cs : ila might como down
hanlsome, Suppose tho follow
shoull prove an oili,or Of imp ort-
anca -
"Bih You talk like a fool. DO
you not see he is too Young to have
gained any Importance. As for
Canales, Carrajo! You will get
nothing for your pains from him
All this / heard distinctly anl
much moro which it is unnecessary
to repeat That my life was dom.
ed was beyond all doubt but | was
not disposed to make vacancy in
the corps without struggle, anl
especially after underg ,ing what !
had in escaping from tho llncers.
felt the blood coursing through
my veins with renewed vigor as |
looked the situation square iu the
face. My brain grew clearer as tho
immineuce OF the peril was 10 grew
more apparent.
The dying embers Of the fire emit
ted litful CLEANS which fell aros' the
polished arms OF tho scoundrels,
piled promiscuonsly together in the
corner Of the ranch.
At that mo nent. an1 rs ! was
casting wistful glaces at Il csrbiue,
the beetlebrowed rascal who hal
lighted me into tho den glided
across the floor, slipping stout
bar across the door.
"Now, boys, finish tho job, and
then share alike" were tho words
heard.
Every nerve in my body Jared,
the blood rushed back to my heart
as tue decisive moment arrived.
Up to that iime had dot stirred or
changed my position, leading the
scoundrels to connt upon an easy
victory. no doubt. The odds were
fearfully against me, and, as the
four turned their woliish eyes in my
direction, the clear ringing notes of
a bugle came rising and falling, fill
ed the air with its melody. A wild
cry Of Joy burst involuntarily from
my lips, thrill Of hope pervsded
my whole being rs listened. II
came from my own gallant lads--a
detachment sent out in all probabili-
ty in search for their missing officer.
My four friends hose paused, uncer-
tain and undecided how to act,
They turned for an instant toward
or we'll al swiua," but not one of