St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1883-12-08

disguised and discouraged, had sold our
claim to couple of newcomers for
about f30O, and with those composing
our present stage-coach party, had
taken passage, as have said, for Well
lington, intending to return home, even
though with heavy hearts and light
pockets.
Besides the small, specialized man,
who had represented himself as a sort
of colporteur for religious society at
Cape Town, our fellow-passengers COM
posed. two diamond brokers, together
with young and very boastful fellow,
who called himself Macarthur. The lat
ter had been very successful, and it was
with feelings of envy we heard him re-
late the result of two weeks work in a
deserted claim, where, as he informed
us with many profane asseverations, he
had struck a .'pocket,' from which he
had taken stones, whose value he de-
clared was at least 1900.
These he carried in a belt about his
waist, together with considerable sum
of money from the sale of his claim, as
he said, while girded to either hip was
a heavy revolver, as a safeguard against
possible attack from road agents.
After wretched supper in a small,
barren-looking station in the Hoogboom
Bottom, the journey was resumed with
a fresh relay of horses and a slight
diminution Of our ill-temper, the heat
being degree or two less intense, by
reason of the declining sun.
The conversation naturally turned
II, ,,,l;oo+ - ,o,l orrapfcs COW, n
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. y 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
commit the awful crime OF murder, even
to prevent the loss Of the filthy lucre
which you-hem!-cla to have ac-
CURED through your own honest eff
forts.''
"Czain, 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-
40 moo ~, M. Smiths tomas
Yet it was perhaps, a mistake, as
well as the fancy that McArthur'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. .sl''
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 a man
sprang from either side of the road with
a leveIed rifle.
.sThe first one that stirs gets ball
through his head!'' said the taller of
the two, heavily bearded fellow, the
very counterpart Of the ruffian in a
border play.
Ny own revolver was in the small va
lise, which held Ned's and my own
worldly goods. Even if I had carried
it on my person, it is more than likely
that with the muzzle of a rifle staring
me full in the face, [ should not have
attempted TO use it.
Ned was unarmed. So, as il then APP
peared, was the little colporteur. And
the valiant Macarthur dropped on the
bottom of the coach with cry of ter
ror, which was feebly echoed by Mr..
Smith. .ss
In obedience to a gruff command,
Macarthur handed his revolyers 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
soYereigns between us, and bill of ex-
change on bank il Cape Town, which
the tall robber took from us, while his
companion, with cooked hat and. pre-
sented 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 rutfian
who held the presented rife.
s.Now, then, gig-lamps, what have
you got about YOUR was the jocose
query.
And little Mr.. Smith piteously en-
treated that the muzzle of the loaded
rifle be turned aside from bis affrighted
face.