Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1884-05-08

''pocket," from which he had taken
stones whose value he declared was
ga, 900.
These he carried in belt about his
waist, together with a considerable sum
Of money from the sale Of his claim-as
he said-while girded to either hip was
heavy revolver, as a safeguard against
possible attack from road agents.
After wretched supper at small,
barren-looking station in the Hoogboom
Bottom the journey was resumed with a
fresh relay of horses, and a slight dimin-
ution Of our i'll temper-the heat being a
degree or two less intense, by reason of
the declining sun.
The conversation naturally turned
upon the subject of road agents, some
recent depredations Of these gentry
having been graphically narrated by
the proprietor of the station we had just
left.
''They wouldn't play any Of their games
on me, . replied M'Arthur, touching the
butts Of his revolvers in significant
manner as he spoke.
The pale blue eyes of the little man,
who bore the not uncommon name Of
Smith, twinkled ever SO slightly behind
his speetacles at the remark, but he
groaned dismally and shook his head
MY dear sir, he exclaimed in depre-
eating tones, ayou surely would not com
nit the awful crime of murder, even to
prevent the loss Of the filthy lucre which
you NV hem - claim to have acquired
through your own honesr efforts"
"Claim to have acquired2 What the
deuce do you mean by thatg clustered
MArthur as Ned and myself glanced at
the little man in some surprise, for it
seemed to strike US simultaneously that
there was sort Of conscious significance
in Mr.. Smiths zones.
Yet it was, perhaps, a mistake as well
as the fancy that MArthur'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, 1 meant nothing at all, my
dear friend, he answered, in apparent
alarm. sI-n
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 leveIed rifle.
"The first one that stirs gets bali
through his head p said the taller of the
two, heavily bearded fellow, the very
counterpart Of the rufian in border
play.
My own revolver was in the small va
lise which held Ned's and my own world
ly goods. Even if l had carried it on
nv person, it is more than likely that
with the muzzle of rife staring me full
in the face, l should not have attempted
to use it.
Ned was unarmed. So as it then ap-
peared, was the little colporteur. And
the valient MArthur dropped on the
bottom of the coach with cry Of terror
which was feebly echoed by Mr.. Smith.
In obedience to a gruff command,
M'Arthur handed his revoIvers 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 calm
ness Of despair. We had about one
hundred and fifty sovereigns between US.
and bill Of exchange on bank in Cape
Town, which the tall robber took from
us, while his companion, with cooked
hat and presented rife, did the intimi-
dating. MArthur 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 sort of fascination, upon the
rufian who held the presented rifle.
"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
rife Be turned aside from his affrighted
face.
ut might 60 Of, z he said, in tremu-
lous tones; ''and it makes me SO nervous
to have deadly weapon pointed at me.
Do, please take it awayln
With hoarse laugh the road agent
tossed his rife into the hollow Of his
arm
"An right, my little manF' he said,
carelessly. "Go ahead, Billn
This to his companion, who approached
Smith for the purpose Of searching
him.
Then was transformation scene, in
deed The small man straightened up
like lightning, and with quiclness
which seemed almost incredible, showing
his hands in the side pockets Of his linen
coat he drew them out, with cooked
revolver in each
Crack and the shorter rufian stag
gcred aud fell, shot through the heart.
Cracki and his astounded companion,
with yell Of mingled pain and rage,
sprang for his rifle, which lay beside him
on the ground; but he was toe late.