Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1883-12-06

upon the subject of road-agents, some
recent depredations of these gentry hav-
ing been graphically narrated by the
proprietor of the station we had Just
left.
"They wouldn't play any of their
games on me" replied Macarthur, touch
ing the butts of his revolvers in sig
nificant manner as he spoke.
The pale-blue eyes of the little man,
who bore the not uncommon name of
Smith, twinkled never SO slightly be-
hind his spectacles at the remark, but
he groaned dismally and shook his
head
"My dear SIR" he exclaimed in dep
recating tones. ''you surely would not
committee awful crime of murder, even
to prevent the loss of the filthy lucre
which you-hem.-c claim to have ac-
CURED through your own honest eff
fOrts''
"Claim to have acquired? What the
deuce do you mean by that?' clustered
Macarthur. as Ned and myself glanced
at the little man in some surprise, for it
seemed to strike us simultaneously that
there was sort of unconscious signifi-
canoe in Mr.. Smiths tones.
Yet it was, perhaps, a mistake, as
well as the fancy that McArtSur's
bronZed face changed color never SO
little, even as the other spoke.
Mr.. Smith shrank back into his cor
ner as though terrified at the others
threatening manner.
'Indeed, / meant nothing at all, my
; dear friend" he answered, in apparent
alarm. Il
But his protestation was cut short by
the sudden and abrupt stoppage of the
stage, and terrified yell from the
krow-boy who drove.
Almost at the same moment man
sprang from either side of the road with
a leveled rifle.
1.-The first one that stirs gets a ball
through his headr' said the taller of
the two, heavily-bearded fellow, the
very counterpart of the ruffian in
border play.
My own revolver was in the small va
lise, which held Ned's and my own
worldly goods. Even if l had carried
it on my person, it is more than likely
that with the muzzle of rifle staring
me full in the face, should not have
attempted TO use it.
Ned was unarmed. So, as it then APP
peared, was the little colporteur. And
the valiant Macarthur dropped on the
bottom of the coach with a cry of ter
ror, which was feebly echoed by Mr..
Smith.
In obedience to gruff command,
Macarthur handed his revolvers to the
smaller 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 calmness of despair.
We had about hundred and fifty
sOvereigns between us, and bill of eX-
change on a bank in Cape Town, which
the tall robber took from us, while his
companion, with cooked hat and pre-
scnted rifle, did the intimidating. Nc
Arthur alternately raved and swore. as
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, upon the rutiian
who held the presented rifle.
"NOw, then, gig-ampS, what have
yom 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 affrighted
face.
at might 90 off," he said, in tremu-
louS tones, land it makes me so nerv-
Gus to have deadly weapon pointed at
me. DO, please, take it awayr'
tossed his rifle into the hollow of his
arm.
"All right. my little man, he said,
carelessly. Go ahead, BILL
This to his companion who APP
preached Smith for the purpose of
searching him.
Then there was a transformation
scene, indeed. The small man straight
ened 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 ruffian stag
gered and fell shot through the heart. !
Crack! and his astoniShed companion, ;.
with a 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 it's !
shining barrel he tumbled forward to-
the earth with ball through his brain.
The whole affair was over in ten Sec
onds. Mr.. Smith repocketed his piss
tolls, and taking off his spectacles re-.
garded our astonished faces with a.
benevolent smile.
deadly weapons come handy some
times, after all, gentlemen he rec
marked.
And 1 noticed a curious change in-
his voice and manner. So, too. did
Macarthur, who stood for a momentH
looking at him with seeming perplex-I
itv i'm the midst of his evident stupe-a
faction.
Meanwhile, Ned, who was of a
practical turn, began taking from thea
capacious pockets of the taller of thea
two outlaws the valuables and money
of which our little company had been
despoiled, at the eager suggestion off
the two diamond brokers, who had been
literally paralyzed with terror during
the entire scene through which we had
passed, both of them having been re-
lieved of large amounts.
OF course they insisted upon rrceiv-
ing their own property first. Then
came ours. And. at the same time,
from a bit of wash-leather in the same.
pocket rolled diamond. of such pc
culiar shape. size and color-for it was&
one of those rare gems, perfect rose
diamond-that both Ned and myself
uttered simultaneous cry of astonish-