Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-06-05
sort of conscious significance in Mr.. Smiths

sort of conscious significance in Mr.. Smiths
tones.
Yet it was, perhaps, mistake as we'll as
the fancy that M'Arthur'S bronZed face
changed color never so little, even as the
other spoke.
Mr.. Smith shrank back into his corner,
as though terrified at the others threaten
ing manner, ~ .o.~
friend" he answered, in apparent alarm.
"I-"
But his protestation was cut short by the
sudden and abrupt stoppage of the stage,
and terrified yell from the Krowboy who
drove.
Almost at the same moment man sprang
from either side of the road with leveled
rifle. .. .... ..
"The first one that stirs getsa ball through
his head !" said the taller of the two, heav-
lily bearded fellow, the very counterpart OF
the ruffian in border play. :.
which held Ned's and my own worldly
goods. Even if had carried it on my per-
son, it is more than likely that with the
muzzle of rifle staring me full in the face,
T should not have attempted to use it.
Ned was unarmed. So as it then appear
ed, was the little colporteur. And the va
lient M'Arthur dropped on the bottom OF
the coach with cry of terror which was
feebly echoed by Mr.. Smith.
In obedience to gruff command, M'Ar-
thur handed his revolvers 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 one hundred and fifty sovereigns be-
tween us, and bill of exchange on bank
in Cape Town, which the tall robber took
from.u while his companion, with cooked
hat and presented rifle, did the intimidat-
ing. M'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 spectacle!d
ewes were fixed, as though in sort OF fascl-
nation, upon the ruffian who held the pre-
sented rifle
"Now, then, gig-lamps, what have you
cot about YOU ?' was the jocose query.
And little Mr.. Smith piteously entreated
that the muzzle of the loaded rifle be turn
ed aside from his affrighted face.
"It might 90 off," he said, in tremulous
tones; land it makes me so nervous to have
deadly weapon pointed at me. Do, please
take it away"
With hoarse laugh the road agent tossed
his rifle into the hollow of his arm.
AL rlRQC, Uly llGIle lllttl !! llc Sdiu SoiO-
lessly. "Go ahead, Bill" g.,
This to his companion, who approached
Smith for the purpose of searching him.
Then was transformation scene, indeed.
The small man straighted uplike lightning,
and with quickness which seemed almost
incredible, showing his hands in the side
pockets of his linen coat he drew them out,
with a cooked revolver in each.
Crack and the shorter ruftian staggered
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 ground; but
he was too late.
Before his fingers closed upon its shining
barrel he stumbled forward to the earth
with ball through his brain.
The whole affair was over in ten seconds.
Mr. Smith repocketed his pistols, and tax
ing off his spectacles, regarded our astonish-
ed faces with a benevolent smile.
Deadly weapons come handy sometimes,
after all, gentlemen" he remarked.
And I noticed a curious change in his
voice and manner. So, too, did M'Arthur,
who stood for moment looking at him
with seeming perpleXity in the midst OF
his too evident stupefaction.
Meanwhile, Ned, who was OF practical
turn, began taking from the capacious pock-
cts of the taller of the two outlaws the val
uables and money of which our little COM
pany had been despoiled, at the eager sug-
gestion of the two diamond brokers, who
had been literally paralyzed with terror
during the entire scene through which we
had passed, both of them having been re-
lieved of large amounts.
| OF course, they insisted upon receiving
their own property first. Then came ours.
And, at the same time from bit OF wash
| IN fha or diamond
of such peculiar shape size and color-for it
was one of those rare gems, perfect rose,
diamond that both Ned and myselfuttered
simultaneous cry of aStOnisment and de-
light, as we'll we might, for it was our stolen
diamond!
"You are in luck gentlemen" quietly re-
marked Mr.. Smith, who had been watch
ing the whole procedure, while M'Arthur
stood looking on with covetous eyes. IL
see that this is the stone that you had stolen
from camp some days since. Ihad glimpse
ding at Ned-was showing it to Jacobs,
the brokers, on the corner of Krall street.
l should know it among a thousand"
M'Arthur who, with his recovered revol-
vers, which he had buckled ON, had assum-
ed his usual air of braggadocia, was heard
to express considerable dissatisfaction.
"One diamond is like another" ne
growled.
And his idea was that under the circum-
stances the whole party had sort of COM
mon interest in this one, to which the bro
kers gave ready assent.
Cpd like to seeany one try to take it, said
Ned, with dangerous gleam iu his eyes.
And little Mr.. Smith, nodding approv-
ingly removed from the dead mans body
the money belt of which MArthur had
been deprived.
But instead of handing it to the gentle
man, he buckled it about his own waist
with an agreeable smile.
"What the deuce does this mean?" yell
ed M'Arthnr, whose face was purple with
rage, when no less to his own than to our
astonishment his arms were pinioned by
the little colporteur, who seemed to have
the strength of two ordinary men. And
in another instant his wrists were adorn-
ed with pair of shining steel handouts.
."It's no use kicking, William" quietly
remarked his captor, removing faded
faxen wig from his own head, and expos
ing to view a short crop of stubby, black
hair 81 didn't mean to have pulled you
till we got to Wellington, but this little af-
fair has, so to speak, precipitated matters a
little.
And after we were all again en- route,
having left word at the next station as to
the disposition of the outlaws bodies the
psuedo Mr.. Smith informed us that the
scoWling prisoner on the seat opposite, who
was kept in bounds by the sight of cock
ed revolver in his captors hands, was one
William Hardy, with dozen aliases, whom
he-Dennison Hunt, the then best known
detective in England-had followed from
| r :,,o.-,ol to fbn x,arxy hoort of South fri