The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-03-28
ing the butts Of his revolvers in signi-
ficant manner as he spoke.


Smith, twinkled ever SO slightly behind
his spectacles at the remark, but he
groaned dismally md sshook his head.
MY dear sir" he exclaimed in depre-
| ciating tones, styou 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-
quired through your own honest Of
| forts"
.Claim to have .aeq,iired?- What
thes duse do youme by that?" blus-
tered M'Arthur as Ned and myself
glanced at the little man ilf.some sur
prise, for it seemed to strike us simul-
taneously,. that there was sort of con-
scious significance in Mr.. Smiths tones.
Yet it.was, perhaps, mistake as
well as the fancy that MArthur's
bronzed face. changed color never solit-
tie, even: as thesother spoke.4
| Mr.. Smith shrank back into his cor
ner, as though terrified at the others
Threatening manner
"Indeed, I meant nothing at all, my
dear friend he answered, in apparent
alarm. At"
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 Mt the same moment man
sprang from either side of the road with
a leveled rife.
"The first one that stirs gets ball
through his head!" said the taller of the
two, a 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 had carried
it on my person, it is more than likely
that with the muzzle of a rifle staring
attempted to use it.
Ned was unarmed. 80 as It then ap-
peared, was the little colporteur. And
the valiant M'Arthur dropped on the
bottom of the coach with cry of terror
| which was feebly echoed by Mr. Smith.
In obedience to a gruff command,
MArthur handed his reyolvers 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 myseis
submitted to be searched, with the
calmness OF despair We had about
one hundred and fifty sovereigns be-
, tween us, and a bill Of exchange on q
bank in Cape Town, which the tall rob-
Der took from U.S. while his
companion, with cooked hat
and presented rifle, did tho in
timidating. MArthur alternately
raved and swore, as he was relieved Of
his belt The little man wrnng his
( hands. and raised his voice in meek sup
i plication, while his specialized eyes were
; fixed, as though in sort.of fasination,
upon the ruffian who held the presented
rifle.
Ii Now, then, gig-lamps, what have
you got. about you?" was the jocose
) query.
g And little Mr. Smith piteously en-
t treated that the muzzle of the loaded
5 rifle be turned aside from his affrighted
{ face.
I 1T might go off, he said, in tremu-
lous tones = and it makes me so nerv-
( Gus to have 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 mani" he said
, carelessly. "Go ahead, Bill"
This to his companion, who APP
preached Smith for the purpose of
, searching him.
Then was transformation scene in
deed. The small man Strengthened up
like lightning, and with quickness
! which seemed almost incredible, showing
| his hands in the side pockets Of
, 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 astounded companion,
: with yell of mingled pain and rage,
sprang for his rifle, which lay beside
: him on the gronnd; but he was too late.
! Before his fingers closed upon his
: shining barrel he stumbled forward to
t the earth with ball through his brain.
The whole affair was over in ten sec
onds. Mr.. Smith repocketed his pis.
tolls, and taking off his spectacles, re.
q garded our astonished faces with a ben.
!, evolent smile.
+ Deadly weapons come handy some.
+ times, after all, gentlemen he re-
2 marked.
/ And noticed a curious change in hi
/ voice and manner. So, too, did, NJ
n l.Arthur, who stood for moment looki NJ
t at him with seeming perplexity in tht
midst of his too evident stuperfection.
ol Meanwhile, Ned, who was of ,
# practical tnrn, began taking from the
e capacious pockets of the taller of thu
d two outlaws the valuables and money o
a which our little company had beer
o despoiled. at the eager suggestion Of til.
II two diamond brokers, who had been lit
IS orally paralyzed with terror during tht
D. entire scene through which we hat
O passed, both of them having been re
d lieyed OF large amounts.
dI OF course, they insisted upon receiv
d ing their own property first. Their
d came ours. And, at the same time, from
bit Of wash-leather in the same pocke
is rolled diamond, of such peculiar shap,
N size, and color-for it was one of those
IS rare gems, q perfect rose- diamond -tha
IS both Ned and myself uttered simuIta
st neous cry of astonishment and delight
as we'll we might, for it was our stolen
|. diamond!
r You are in luck, gentlemen" quiet
"a II remarked Mr. Smith, who had beel
1T Watching the whole procedure, Will,
at M'Arthur stood looking on with covet
" GUS eyes. 4 see that this is the ston,
thet you had stolen from Damp, som
d days since. i had glimpse Of it tn
,e morning Mr.. Girard here" nodding a
" Ned was showing it to jacobs, tn
" brokers, on the corner of Krall street
ID should know it among thousand.
M'Arthur, who. with his recoyere,
in frevolvers, which he had huckied on
h. had assumed his usual air braggadocie