The National tribune., 1882-03-18

from an open one. We can't dc anythine To-
nirbs till we feel our way, so 1 allow we'd
best water the horses an have good nights |
rest"
Braxton seemed to be Of the same mlnd;
so after few minutes preparation the TWO
men wrapped themselves in their cioaKs' anu
lay, two little dark spots, on the great ei0on
carpet of the primeval bush.
With the first gray light of dawn, Chicago
sat up and reused his cOnrade. = heaVy
mist hung over the husband. They could
hardly see the loom OF the trees across the
little glade. Their clothes gllstened WIN
the little shining beads of moisture. 1hey
brushed each other down, and squatted IN
bush fashion over their rough breakfast.
The haze seemed to be lifting little now
tbey could see fifty yards in every direction
The miner paced up and down IN silence,
Illuminating over plug of Barretts Twist
BTaxton sat on q fallen tree sponging and
oil;ng his revolver. Suddenly single beam
OF sunshine played over the great blue gum
1t widened and spread, and then in mo-
ment the mist melted away, and the yellow
leaves glowed like fakes of copper IN the
glare of the morning sun. BraxtOn cheeriiy
snapped the lock OF the pistol, loaded it, and
replaced it in his belt. Chicago began to
whistle, and stopped in the middle OF his
walk
Now, young un," he said, 81 here's the
glass"
Braxton slung it round his neck, and
ascended the tree as he had done the night
before. 1t was child's play to the troOper-a
splendid climber, as can testify; for saw
him, two years later, swarming up the top
most backstay Of the Hector frigate in gale
of wind for bet of bottle of wine. He
soon reached the summit, and, shutting
along naked branch two hundred feet from
the ground, he gained point where no
leaves could obstruct his view. Here he sat
straddle- legged; and, unslinging the glass,
he proceeded TO examine the hill, bush by
bush and stone by stone.
An hour passed without his moving. An
other had almost elapsed before he descended.
His face was grave and thoughtful
Are they there?" was the eager query.
Eyes; they are there"
"Iow many"
"Tve only seen five; but there may be
more. Wait till think it out, BILL
The miner gazed at him with all the rev.
erence matter has towards mind. Thinking
things ont was not his strong point.
! Blamed if can help you" he said, apol-
| ogetically. at kinder don't come nat'ral to
me to he plottin' and plannin'. Want o
! eddication. likely. My father was allowed
/ to be the hardest-headed man in the States
| Judge .Jeffers let on as how the old man
wanted to hand in his checks; so he down
! an put his head on the line when the first
| engine as ran from Vermont was comm up
! They fined him q hundred dollars for up
settin' that ere locomotive an the old man
4 .sot fne cussedest headache as ever was"
a.v Rraxton hardly seemed to hear this fam
ily anecdote; he was deep in thought.
Look here. old man" said he, sit down
by me on the trunk and listen to what say
Remember that you are here as volunteer
Bnl-vou've no call to come; now, | an
here in the course of duty. Your name Il
known through the settlement; you were {
marked man when l was in the nursery
Now, Bill, it's big thing am going to asl
Won. II you and 60 in and take these men
it will be another feather in your cap, ant
in yours ONLY. What do men know of Jacl
Braxton, the private Of police? He'd hardl,
he mentioned in the matter. Now, L wan
to make nv name this day. Well have t
secrre these men by surprise after dusk
and il will he as easy for one res0lute man t
do il as for two; perhaps easier, for there il
less chance of detection. Bill, I want You +
stav with the horses, and let me go alone"
Chicago sprang to his feet with a snarl Q
INDIGNATION and paced up and down in from
of the fallen trees. Then he seemed to mas
fer himself. for he sat down again.
They'd ehaw you up, lad" he sait
rrttiny his hand on Braxt0n's shoulder. u
wouldn't wash"
"Not they" said the trooper. I'd TAX
yorr pistol as we'll as my own. and I'd hee
a deal of chawing'
"My character would be ruined" sal
, Bill
ats beyond the reach of calumny. Yo
, can afford TO give me one fair chance"
Bill buried his face in his hands, an
r thought little.
, "Wen, lad" he said, looking up, "I
9 look after the horses"
Braxton wrung him by the hand. The
o are few men would have done ii, Bill; "
are friend worth having Now we'll sper
# our dav as best we can, old man, and
9 close till evening; for l won't start till /;
q hour after dusk; so we have plenty of tin
, on our hands"
y The day passed slowly. The trooper |.
q among the moses below the great blue gu
in earnest thought. Once or twice he i,
J. agined he heard the subterranean chuck
g and slap of the thigh which usually denot
o amusement omthe part of the miner; but
q slancing mp at that individual, the expressi
of his face was 50 solemn, not to say funere
s that it was evidently an illusion. Th
partook of their scanty dinner and supp
,s cheerfully and with hearty appetites. T
: former listlessness had given place to bris
ness and activity, now that their object "
is in view Chicago blossomed out into maj
n strange experiences and racy reminiscent
Of Western life. The hours passed rapid