Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-12-20

AoohN ~ hih' 1ou uiAJ IuAoW ILL
off the scent for time, but he'll be
on the track again in no time. I tell
you what, Jenny, l shan't feel easy
until | am on the other side Of
Mystic river. Let's put up these
things and be off. You take three of
the watches and I'll take three. As
for the money, there's not enough
light to count it by. -
GAIL right" said the other. "And
meantime here's something that will
do us good"-holding up q small
brandy flask. It belongs to the, old
codgor with the five hundred dollars
in his bootleg. l don't care for the
stuff straight, SO you just step out
there, Penny, and dip up drop Of
water" '.. .-''''.'- y ' 'o''''l- II
The elder man obeyed. But as he
stepped into the road, by the side of
which ran the gurghng rill, he stood
still, and putting his hand to his ear
listened intently. #' r75.'a4larat
"Come here, Jem. i think l hear
something fur off," 'a. saJ
Jem crept out of the thicket to his
comrades side, and the two stood to-
gether looking up the road and list
sning. '.'
In all this time the boy had not
been twenty PAGES from them. The
large trunk of tree, with some vines
that grew about it, and the gathering
darkness, had concealed him. But
now, as he saw the two robbers stand
ing together in the road, and their
plunder, with the pistols, lying near
him, sudden idea flashed upon him.
His eyes frightened, and sort Of
humorous smile played about his
mouth. He advanced cautiously,
still keeping out of sight, and secured
the pistols. Then in a loud, COM
manding voice, he shouted:
"Stamd p' .4-. .so5j H.41
The robbers fairly jumped, but be-
fore they had time to move, q second
order came quick and sharp. -t..
Islands up! The first that stirs
is a dead man Cover them well,
boys, with your pistols. Now, Jem-
my and Penny, surrender to Jack
Andrew" n
Jenny Immediately obeyed and
threw up his hands. .~ +.
1t would be of no use to resist un-
armed. But Penny, as though he
preferred the chance of death to re-
turn to State prison, made one des-
perate effort to escape, and dartlng
into the thicket on the opposite side
of the road and disappeared like
hare, while Martin sent a couple Of
bullets whizzlng after him. Then
quickly springing forward, he faced
the man who stood with his hands
still held up. ...,to.
"Put your hands behind you p he
said, holding his cooked pistol point
ing straight at his head.
The follow must have been q cow
ard for he obeyed. In fact, he was
trembling, as Martin perceived
"Now take my advice and don't
move" said Martin, in confidential
whisper, "unless you want one Of our
men to send ball through your
braln."
Jenny remained perfectly still
while his captor secured his with
strong cord taken from his own
pocket. Then gathering up the
booty which had been lying on the
ground, Martin desired his prisoner
to walk ahead, as he was anxious to
overtake the coach.
BY this time the fellow, seeing no
one but his captor, had begun to sus-
pect the truth. But it was too late;
and knowing that he was utterly
helpless and in the power of the lad,
who looked determined enough, he
could do tno less than obey. A half
hours quick walking brought them
within hailing distance of the stage
coach, which was making slow pro-
gress over the road.
The disconsolate passengers were
grieving over their late loss, when to
their astonishment, Martin Sherwood
appeared escorting his prisoner. And
their delight and admiration of the
lad knew no bounds upon his pro-
ducing the stolen goods and restor-
ing them to the respective owners,
telling how he had obtained them. :
81 never really thought of catch
ing them," the boy said, laughing;
s'but | wanted to skesr them a little