The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-05-29

their lives must take their chance, my
| boy"
And here Tom put the other pistol
on full cock and looked audaciously on
both sides of the road, as if daring the
lurking murderers to come forth and
receive the reward of their crimes. As
to the story Of the soldiers and the fear
full insinuations of bloody deed exc
cuted on one or all, it was prodigious
rhodomontade- Tom was such
tender hearted individual that if he had
shot kitten it would have made him
unhappy for week. But, to hear him
talk, you would have taken him for q
civic Richard the Third-one who had
neither pity, love nor fear.
His whiskers were also very ferocious
and suggestive of battle, murder and
rum. So he went on playing with his
pistol, and giving himself out for an un-
plying executioner of vengeance on the
guilty, until we reached the small town
where one of our customers resided, and
it was necessary for one of us to carry
one of the bags to its destination. Tom
undertook this task.
AS the village at which the remaining
parcels were to be delivered was only
mile further on, he determined to walk
across the fields and join me after he
had execeted his commission. He
looked carefully at the printing of his
pistol, stuck it ostentatiously in the
outside breast pocket of his great coat;
and with stately step, marched of with
the heavy money bag in his hand. l
put the whip to the horse, and trotted
merrily forward, thinking nothing what
ever of robbery or danger, in spite OF
momentary conversation of Tom Rud-
die. Our first customer resided at the
outskirts of the village-a farmer who
required a considerable amount OF gold.
1 pulled up at the narrow dark entrance
up the lane with my golden treasure.
delivered it into the hands of its owner,
and manfullv resisting all his hospitable
invitations, took my leave and walked
rapidly toward the gig.
As I drew near 1 perceived in the
clear starlight man mounted on the
step and cropping under the seat. l
ran forward, and the man, alarmed at
my approach, rapidly raised himself
from his stopping position, and, pre-
senting pistol, fred it so close to my
ewes that the flash blinded me for mo-
ment; the action was so sudden and
the surprise so great, that for short
time, too, was bewilderd, and scarcely
knew whether L was alive or dead.
The old horse never started at the re-
port, and 1 rested my hand on the rim
of the wheel, while 1 endeavored to
gather my scattered thoughts. The
first thing 1 ascertained was that the
man had lisappeard. 1 then hurriedly
examined under the seat, and, to my In
tense relief, perceived the remaining
money bag still in its place.
There was slit in it, however, near
the top, as if made by knife-the rob-
Der probably resolving merely to pos
ses himself of the coin, without the
dangerous accompaniment of the leath-
ern sack, bv which he might have been
traced.
"Tell We what" said voice close be-
side me, as concluded my scrutiny, Il
don't like practical jokes like that-fr-
ing off pistols to frighten folks. You'll
alarm the whole village"
"Tom," 1 said, "Now's the time to
show your courage. A man has robbed
the gig-or tried to do it-and has fired
at me within yard of my face.
Tom grew perceptibly pale at this in.
formation. "Was there only one?
Then the accomplices are near. What's
to be done? Shall we arouse Farmer
Malips and get his men to help?"
"Not for the world, said. 81 would
rather face dozen shots than have my
Of
would ruin me for life. Let us count
the money in this bag, quickly deliver
it if it be right, and then follow the
robbers course" 1t was only hum
dred- guinea bag, that one, but the
counting was nervous work. We found
three guineas wanting. We were
luckily able to supply them
from our own pockets, having just
received our quarters salaries, and L
left Tom there, delivered the bag to its
destination very near ut hand, without a
word of the robbery, and went back to
him. "Now which way did he go?"
said Tom, resuming little OF his for
mer air, clutching his pistol like the
chief of a chorus of banditti in melo
drama. 1 told him had been so con-
fuSeG tnat nuu nOt OUSeffeu "AuSH
way he had retreated.
Tom was an old hand at poachlng-
though he was a clergyman's son, and
ought to have set better example.
'I have heard a hare stir a hundred
yards" he said, and laid his ear close
to the frosty ground.
Ii he's within quarter of mile l
shall hear him move" I also lay down
on the ground. We heard nothing |
but our breathing and the breathing
of the horse. Hush" said Tom at
last. "He has come out of his hiding.
1 hear mans step far away to the left;
bring your pistol and let us follow"
L took the pistol and found the flint
down on the pan. The man had fred
at me with my own weapon, and no
wonder lie had fred so suddenly, for
Tom now acknowledged to his belief
that he had forgotten to uncock it.
Never mind" said Tom; "I'll blow his
brains out with mine and you can split
MS skull with the butt of yours.
Tell We what It's of no use to prepare