Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-11-29

the heat being degree or tao less in
tense, by reason Of the declining sun
The conversation naturally turned
upon the subject of road agents, some
recent depredations Of these gentry
/ having been graphical narrated by
I the proprietor of the station we had
just left
They wouldn't play any Of their
games on me, replied M'A,thur,
touching the butts OF his revolver
in significant manner as he spoke.
The pale-blue eyes of the little man,
who bore the not uncommon name OF
/ Smith, twinkled never so slightly
behind his spectacles at the remark,
but he groaned dismally and shook
his head
MY dear sir, he exclaimed in
deprecating tones, you surely would
not commit the awful crime Of muir
der, even to prevent the loss Of the
filthy lucre which you-hem claim
to have acquired through your own
honest efforts.
Claim to have acquired What
the deuce do you mean by thatF
/ clustered Macarthur, as Ned and my
self glanced at the little man in some
surprise for it seemed to strike as
simultaneously that there was a sort Of
unconscious significance in Mr.
/ Smiths tone.
1 Yet it was, perhaps, a mistake, as
well as the fancy that McArthur's
bronzed face changed color never 50
little, even as the other spoke
Al IL l. ~ j. &c
corner as, though terrified at the
others threatening manner.
Indeed, ! mean nothing at all,
my dear friend, he answered, in 9p-
parent alarm. Il
But his protestation was cut short
by the sudden and abrupt stoppage Of
the stage, and a terrified yell from the
Krowboy who drove
Almost at the same moment man
sprang from either side Of the road
with leveled rifle.
"The first one that stlrs gets a ball
through his head p said the taller,of
the two, heavily bearded fellow, the
very counterpart of the ruilian in
border play.
My own revolver was in the small
valise, which held Neds and my own
worldly goods. Even if had carried
it on my person, it is more than like
ly that with the muzzle Of a rifle star
ing me full in the face, | should not
have attempted to use it,
Ned was unarmed. So as 1t then /.
appeared, was the little colporteur. /.
And the valiant Macarthur dropped on .
the bottom of the coach with cry Of .
terror, which was feebly echoed by
Mr.. Smith.
In obedience to a gruH command,
Macarthur handed his revolvers to the
of the two road-agents, who,
seeming to be assured that no weapons
were worn by any others of the party,
caused US to alight
Ned and myself submitted to be
searched with the calmneas of de
spair.
We had about hundred and fifty
sovereigns between us, and a bill of
exchange on bank in Cape Town.
which the tall robber took from us,
while his companion, with cooked hat
and presented rifle, did the intimidat-
ing. Macarthur alternately raved and
swore, and he was relieved of his belt.
The little man wrung his hands and
raised his voice in meek supplication,
while his specialized eyes were fixed, \
as though in a sort of fascination up ,
on the ruilian who held the presented
rifle.
Now, then, gig-lamps, what have
you got about you" was the jocose
query.
And little Mr.. Smith piteously en-
treated that the muzzle of the loaded
rifle be turned aside from his alright
ed face
1T might go off, he said, in trem-
Ulous tones, land it makes me so
nervous to have a deadly weapon
pointed at me. Do, please, take it
away
With a hoarse laugh the road agent
tossed his rifle into the hollow of his
arm.
All right my little man r. he said
carelessly. Go ahead, Bill.
This to his companion. who APP
preached Smith for the purpose of
searching him.
Then was "A transformation scene in
deed The small man Strengthened
up like lightning, and with a quick
ness that seemed almost incredible,
showing his hands in the side pockets
of his linen coat, he drew them out
with a cooked revolver in each.
Crack and the shorter rutlian stag
gered and fell, shot through the heart.
Crack and his aStouished companion. .
with a yell of mingled pain and rage, .
sprang for his rifle, which lay be .
side him on the ground; but he was
too late
Before his fingers closed upon its
shining barrel he tumbed forward
to the earth with ball through his
brain.
The whole affair was oyerin ten see
onds. Mr.. Smith repocketel his pistols
and taking oil his spectacles, regard
ed our aStouished faces with benevo-
lent smile.
~ ,..d lN ,vaa,,nps cor1e handy sor,e-