Smyrna times., 1885-08-05

me full i'll the face | should not have
attempted to use it.
Ned was alarmed. So, as it then
appeared was the little colporteur And
the valiant M'Arthur dropped on tho
bottom OF the coach with cry of terror,
which was ieebly echoed by Mr.. Smis.l.
In obedience to gruff command,
NJ Arthur handed his revolver 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
feIchcd with the calmness of despair.
We hat about IL hundred and fifty
sovcrri@nS between us, and bill of ex
caaag' ON bank in Cape Town, which
the taller robber took from us. while his
companion. with cooked hat and pre-
seated rliit, did the intimidatipg.
Nj Arthur alternately raved and swore.
as he was relieved of his belt The
little man wrung his hands, and raised
hiS voice III meek supplication, while
his spsc.acled eye were fixed, as though
III ii sort Of fascination, upon the ruffian
who held the presented rifle
Now, then, gig-lamps, what have
yon got about YOU was the jocose
query.
Little Mr.. Smith piteously entreated
that the muzzle Of the loaded rifle be
turned aside from his affrighted face
" 1t might 60 OF, lie said, in tremu-
Ious tones; "nnd it makes me so
nervous to havea deadly weapon pointed
at me. DO, please, take it away!'
With hOurse laugh the road-agent
tossed his rifle into the hollow of his
arm.
All right, my little man, he said
carelessly. "Go ahead, Bill"
This to his companion, who ap-
preached Smith for the purpose of
searching him.
Then was transformation scene |
indeed The small man straightened mn |
like tightening and with quickness |
which seemed almost incredible, shov-
ing his hands in the side pockets OF his
linen coat he drew them out, with
cooked revolver in each.
Crack! and the shorter rufian
staggered and fell, shot through his
heart Crack and his astounded COM
panion, with yell of mingled pain and
rage, sprang for his rifle, which Law be-
side 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 re-pocketed his
pistols. and taking off his spectacles
regarded our astonished faces with a
benevolent smile
" Deadly weapons come handy some-
times, after all, gentlemen" he
remarked
L noticed curious change in his
voice and manner So, too, did A1Arthur.
who stood for a moment looking at
him with seeming perplexity in the
midst OF his too evident stupefaction.
Meanwhile, Ned, who was of practi-
cal turn, began taking from the capa-
clous pockets of the taller of the two out
laws the valuables and money of which
our little company had been despoiled,
at the eager suggestion Of the two
brokers, who had been literally
paralyzed with terror during the entire
scene through which we had passed,
both of them having been relieved of
large amounts. &
OF course they insisted upon receiving {
their own property first. Then came
0urs. And as the same time from n bit {
1f wash-leather i'll the same pocket I
rolled n diamond of such peculiar shape, i
size and color-lOr it was one of those
are gems, a perfect rose-diamond-
hat both Mel and myself uttered n
cry of astOnishment and S
tellSht, as well We might, for it was our Il
stolen diamond. b
You are i'll luck, gentlemen, quickly i
Mr. Smith, who had been Il
Watching the whole procedure, while y
VI Arthur stood looking on with covetous b
Eyes. II see that this is the stone that y
'ou had stolen from You in camp, some c
lays since. had a glimpse of it the n
morning Mr.. GiNrd here "-nOding at n
'ed-"was showing it to jacobs, tho Il
'roker, on the Krall street l should 8
now it among thousand" f,
MArthur who, with his recovered h
evolvers which he had buckled on.
ad assumed his usual air of braggadocio.
'as heard t. express considerable dis.
abstraction
Zone diamond is like another!" be -,
rOwled. ~
And his IDEA was that under the cir =
nmstances the whole part had a sort of i
Dmmon interest in this one to which
he brokers' grave ready assent. +
Id like to see auy one try to take IL" =,
ud Ned, wish a dangerous CLEAN in bis
is eyes. Sc
LlTtle Mr.. Smith, noddingapprovinolv ~ ~
'moved from tho dead mans body Tho -
loney belt of Which Mr.. MArthur bod ~ =,
cen depri Ied. But instead of band;,,o. "
10 that gentleman, he buckledit about ~
Is own waist with an agreeable smiIo "u
" What the deuce does this mean ?. an
alied NJ Arthur, whose face wac 49,, tal
Ie with age; when, no less to his or,, na
IAN our astonlshment, his arms ,vora ng
ni'neu ny the little colportem who 3"
,emed 20 have the strength Of two o,1i ~ th'
NY mea' And i'll another instant - WI
flstS " ere adorned will MS fOl
g steel handcnfIs. r'''' u sllh- TIL
ren,a,'3 -. no use kieking' William, quiet sol
,l.iT iTD,"lhed s his captor, removing : od'
'''' l''Aeh ~'s from has own hen "n% OF
.,,r l.Joi',8 70 view Ii rt crop of snhI,' l,r aw
ucA hair Il didn't mon, ''"'y poi
liled you until we e,ot a. -, W nave mil