Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1883-07-11

his pistols empty, when he comes to use
them on us should he wake up" said
another voice.
Chow so, Sam?" asked old Sharkey
with chuckle. -
"Why, you see, Twas going by their
cabin in the morning, and saw them at
work fixing up in regular order, and as
soon as they had gone to work went in
and drew tho bullets, being careful to
leave everything as I found it. Unless
the chap has found out the cheat, we
have nothing to. fear from him, even it
he wakes up, and not much at any rate,
for We are three to his one. Come,
Sharkey, lets have the Job through with
for we must be back at the mine before
they are stirring, or we shall have to
give an account of ourselves. They mis-
trust us now, and if they were all like
that id Mason, they would hang us
to the first tree, the moment they could
lay their hands on u.s.
Every word of the above fell distinctly
upon my ear, as I had strained every
nerve to listen. At the first sound of
voices, I thought they sounded familiar,
and now knew that the men Mason had
wished to avoid the day before, were
leagued with Sharkey, for murder and
robbery. There was not moment to
lose, and if I would escape with my life,
I had got to act.
placed my hand beneath my pillow
and grasped my pistol, and moments
examination in the darkness, assured me
that they had been triaed with, as the
| villain had stated. But T had plenty of
bullets in my pocket and in less time
than it takes to tell it, had thrown one
into the barrel of the pistol held in nv
hand, and at that moment the door be-
tween me and my foes slowly opened,
and framed in the uncertain light that
cleaned through, saw the hideous face
Of old Sharkey, carrying dim light in
his hand, apparently for the purpose of
seeing whether was asleep or awake.
He seemed to have come to the con-
clusion that the former was the case, for
I had concealed the pistol beneath the
clothes and was lying motionless, but
with eyes sufficiently open to note his
every movement. Stepping back pace,
he set the light down, and swinging the
door open wider, he came on tip.toe into
the room, followed by his vi]lainot1s
companions. The moment had come
that was to decide my fate. A moment
that never shall forget to my dying
day, SO indelibly is it fixed upon nay
memory.
Carefully l worked my hand from be-
meath the clothes, and when old Sharkey
was not more than two PAGES away I
brought my hand with quick move
ment on level with his breast, and
pulled the trigger. A fash aud re-
port, but the villain stood unframed.
Ny hope for life had failed.
I was on my feet in an instant. Life
was sweet and would not give up a
hold on it while my arm had strength.
Raising it I dealt the villain such blow
that it sent him headlong to the earth.
carrying one of the other scoundrels
with him.
Giving bound attempted to spring
over them, hoping to forestall the other
before he should SO far recover from his
surprise to wreak his will upon me with
the Misunderstanding knife he carried;
but old Sharkey recovering somewhat
from the effects of the blow had given
him, caught NE by the leg and the next
moment was foundering among them,
carrying down with me the last man that
had kept his legs, who, as be fell, ut
tered cry of pain, for he had driven
the knife intended for me into his own
leg.
At that moment, when death seemed
SO near, pinioned down by the murderers
as found myself, there was tramp
ling of feet in the outer room, and the
next moment dozen men filed the
apartment, one of them bearing lamp
old Sharkey had set down, and by its
lighs beheld among the numbers both
Seth and Mason, who in a moment had
pulled me from the heap unframed, and
/ was saved!
"The first man of you that stirs will
send bullet through his head" ex.
claimed Mason, to the writhing, villain.
GUS mass upon the floor, as each IL
dividual was making separate effort to
regain his feet, and. the threat had thu;
desired effect. G.
l told my story in few words, aftef
our prisoners were safely secured, be-
You'd q chance Of their escape, not for
getting to relate that which had heard
of the terrible contents of Downing's
shaft, and when was done, the look of
stern determination on the faces OF my
companions looked i'll for the trembling
villains, who felt that their last hours
were drawing to close.
From Seth and Mason learned that
they had left the diggings as soon as it
was discovered that the two villains had
also left tho place, for they had no doubt
my life Was in danger, and, as events
showed, they had rot reached the cabin
a moment too sOoD.
With the morning light, while part of
the men guardt d the prisoners, the rest
made an examination of Downipg's
shaft, where inclusive proof was found
of the terrible ctimes that had been COM
mi:tel by old Sharkey and his accom-
plices; and the men turned away from
the poor relics Of humanity there dis
covered, with the conviction that they
had stern duty to perform, and one
that Justice should not he long de-
layed.
An honr later, and We had turned our
backs upon the cabin; but we had left
there a CHASTITY sight, for the next
corners to gaze upon; nothing less than
the inanimate bodies OF old sharkey and
his companions, swinging i'll the wind.
A Fatal Jewel.
L.. ca -.