Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1882-04-19

The man wes by no means to be shot.
or If possible even hurt; but the papers
must be secured. Minute instructions
as to his appearance were followed by
pretty plain implication that my career
IN the force would very largely depend
upon my success.
l felt, as may be easily imagined, in
anything but high spirits. The pros
pect of single-handed encounter with a
man OF whose resources knew nothing,
and who might blow my brains out be.
fore had a chance of attack, was not
cheering. However, there was nothing
for it; it was my last chance, and 1
must embrace it without shirking.
Next day, which was Sunday. / ac-
cordingly procured horse from the sta
tion, and, taking my revolver with me,
started out to try my luck as police
man, and about 2 O'Clock in the after
noon came near the place mentioned.
/ left my horse at the nearest roadEide
"hotel, sauntered to the bridge, and,
leaning over the rail with no very dis
tinct notion Of how 1 was going to act,
waited for my man with what coolness /
could muster.
Two hours had passed the sun was
beginning to go down; and was Just
preparing to console myself with the
notion that the man had got wind of
our intention, and gone by another
route, when ! became aware of the ap-
proach Of solitary pedestrian. As he
came nearer, l ran over the description
of the man ! wanted-whicl. I had
learned by heart-and at once concluded
that this was the individual. He was
tall. powerful, uncompromising- looking
fellow of about five and forty, muscular
enough to have lifted me up and thrown
me over the bridge into the shining
water beneath. I commenced to walk
over the bridge rs the man approached
it-psssed him slowly, and felt sure it
was the man.
After going two or three yards, 1
turned back. Hearing my step, the
purloiner of state documents turned
round.
"Well, mate, what is il ?"
"Can you oblige me with pipe of
'baccy?" l asked.
"Oh yes )" handing me his pouch.
"What are you doing about here? You
don't look over-brisk. Broke?"
pretty nearly" replied.
"New arrival, suppose 70
almost"
"Ah there are too many carpet
knights flooding Melbourne. Come out
expecting TO make a pile, got disap-
pointed, and don't like tc work for your
grub, Ell? Put screw OF tobacco in
your pocket you'll ind it pleasant COM
pany on the road"
nearly emptied the pouch and
handed it back and, as the owner put
out his hand for it, slipped my foot be-
hind his heel and pushed him. He
tripped and fell splendidly. / was pref
ty quick in wrestling, and l took hold of
the mans throat with my left hand, put
my knees on his chest and with my
right hand felt in the breast pocket of
his coat. He struggled violently, but l
thought 1 should succeed. / got my
hand on some papers but, as was
drawing them from the pocket, the
ruffian got hold of my right knee-cap
with his left hand, and gave it such a ter.
rible wrench that believed he had dis
located the joint. Then feeling my hold
relax, he suddenly hoisted himself with
his right hand, sprang up, caught hold OF
my wrists, md hurried me to the bridge.
Holding me thus in an iron grip, and
glaring fiercely at me, he said:
"I see your game there's only one
way Of dealing with the police. Dead
men tell no tales 81 over you're going,
youngster."
Suiting his action TO the word he re-
leased my hands, and in the same in
stant grasped me firmly and hoisted me.
NV last chance seemed to lie in an
old twist had learned at college. As
the man raised me, I placed my feet on
the brickwork of the bridge, pushed
myself back with oil my strength,
ierked little forward, lowered my
head. and then fairly twisted under my
captor's arm from right to left. My
school experience had saved my life |;
for the man let go his hold with a cry
Of Pain, and quick as thought / sprang
upon him.
ats all right, old fellow, take the
papers and read them
But in the mad excitement OF the mo-
ment. and remembering my mission, l
thought this surrender was only ruse
ON the part Of the ruilian. He sat down
on the road in themost undignified fash
ion and handed me the papers. The first
one that met my gaze was headed piece
of police-office paper, on which was
written "This is your test for entering
the force;" and was signed by the Super
intendent
swell, young man, "said mine enemy,
I" YOU have passed the last exam. with
honors. You have nearly broken my
wrist. But my horse is at the first road
side hotel. II you'n come with me III
have drink with you, and get someceld
' a.. for tlia snrain. I believe il will