The Hazlehurst signal., 1883-12-06

"They wouldn't play any OF their
games on me. replied Macarthur. touch
ing the butts Of his rcvolvcrs in n sig
nihcant manner rs no spoke.
The palc-bluc eyes OF the little man.
who bore the not uncommon name vi
Smith, winklcd never so slightly be-
hind his spcctaclcs Mt the remark. but
he groancd dismally and shook his
head.
"My dear SIR" he exclaimed in dep
| rccating tones, ''you surely would not
commit the awful crime of murder, even
To prevent the loss of tho filthy lucrc
which you-hcm!-claim TO have ac-
CURED through your own honest cf-
forts"
Claim to have acquired? What the
deuce do YOU mean by that?" clustered
Macarthur. rs Ned and myself glanced
at the little man in some surprise. for it
seemed to strike us simultaneously that
there was sort Of unconscious signiii-
canoe in Mr.. Smiths tones.
Yet il was. perhaps. mistake, rs
well as the fancy that McArthur's
bronzcd face changed color never so
little, even rs the other spoke.
Mr.. Smith shrank back into his cor
ncr rs though terrified ut tho others
threatening manner.
Indeed. meant nothing ut all, my
dear friend" he answered, in apparent
alarm. Il"
But his protcstation was cut short by
the sudden and abrupt stoppage Of the
stage. and a terrified yell from the
Krow-boy who drove.
Almost ut the same moment man
sprang from either side of the road with
a levcled ride.
THE first one that stirs gets ball
through his headr' said the taller Of
| the two. n hcavily-bcarded fellow, the
very counterpart OF the ruilian in n
border play.
Ny own revolver was in the small va
Use. which held Ncd's and my own
worldly goods. Even il had carried
il on my person. il Is more than likely
that with the muzzlc of n rifle staring
me full in the face, should not have
attempted To use IT,.
Ned was unarmcd. So, rs IL then APP
pearcd. was the little colporteur. And
the valiant Macarthur dropped on the
bottom Of the coach with u cry Of ter
ror. which was fcebly echoed by Mr..
Smith.
In obedience to gruif command,
Macarthur handed his rcyolvcrs to the
smaller of the two road-agcnts, 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 calmncss Of despair.
We had about hundred and fifty
SOvcrcigns between us, and bill Of eN-
change on bank il Cape Town. which
the tall robbcr took from Us. while his
companion, with cooked hat and pre-
scntcd rifle. did the in,imidating. Me-
Arthur alternately rayed and sworc, as
he was relieved of his belt. The little
man wrung his hands and raised his
voice in meek duplication. while his
specialized eyes We're fixed. n though in
sort Of fascination, upon the ruilian
who held the presented rifle.
"Now. then. gig-lamps, what have
you got about you?" was the jocosc
query.
And little Mr.. Smith pitcously en-
treated that the muzzle of the loaded
rifle be turned aside from bis afIrightcd
face.
lit might 60 or" he said. in trcmu-
lOuS tones, land it makes me so ncrv-
ous To have deadly weapon pointed ut
me. DO. please, take it away"
With hoarsc laugh the road agent
tossed his rifle into tho hollow OF his
arm.
"All right, my little mani" he said.
carclessly. Go ahead, Bill"
This TO his companion who ap.
preached Smith for the purpose Of
searching him.
Then there was n transformation
scene. indeed. The small man straight.
cncd up like lightning, and with 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 rullian stag
gcred and fell, shot through the heart.
Crack. and his astonished companion,
with yell of mingled pain and rage.
sprang for his rifle, which lay beside
him on the ground; but he was too late.
Before his fingers closed upon its
shining barrel he tumblcd forward to
the earth with ball through his brain.
The whole affair was over in ten Sec
ondS. Mr.. Smith rcpocketed his pis-
tots. and taking of his spcctaclcs re-
gar,led our astonished faces with q
benevolent smile.
deadly weapons come handy some
times, after all, gentlemen" he re-
marked.
And I noticed curious change in
his voice and manner. So, too. did
Macarthur. who stood for moment
looking ut him with seeming pcrplcx-
ity in the midst Of his evident stupc-
faction.
Meanwhile, Ned, who was OF n
practical turn, began taking from the
capacious pockets of the taller Of the
two outlaws the valuablcs and money
of which our little company had been
despoiled. ut the eager suggestion OF
the two diamond-brokcrs who had been
literally paralyzcd with terror during
the entire scene through which we had
passed, both of them having been re-
lleved Of large amounts.
OF course they insisted upon receiv-
ing their own property first. Then
came ours. And. ut the same time,
from bit of wash-leather in the same
pocket rolled a diamond. Of such Pc
culiar shape. size and color-tor it was
one Of those rare gems, q perfect rose.
diamond-that both Ned and myself
uttered u simultaneous cry of astonish- |
ment and delight, as well we might, for
1t was our stolen diamond!
"You are in luck, gentlemen"
quietly remarked Mr.. Smith, who had
been watching the whole procedure, |
while Macarthur stood looking on with |
..D,,.to,,s a,,as al AN. that thts Ia thu |