Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1885-04-26

1D8 usual cfONu VI koAANct5 NutN ="
thssiT general resort, the barroom OF the
rude frontier hotel. building whose
peEness vas in keeping with the build.
inRs that Surrounded IT; all being OF
the same unfinished character, but none
Of them bore the imposing appearance
Of tbs hotel, the front OF which had been
PAINTED a brilliant red luis was
boom to IN, and at the Tune OF wnles
we write Was the terminus OF great
lranseontinental railway. InrooRn tne
town wound sluggish river, as yei
bsideeless, bat forbade. On fne rar-
Their bank was primitive siocksoe'
built Of cotton wood logs. tue canton.
meut Of accompany Of cavalry. Around
ths ssockade, Just oatside OF the corral.
stood several tepeea or skin tents occu-
pied by the agency Indians. oand OF
renegades from the sioux tribe, VINO
we're supposed 70 be at peace, or, " they
were not, we're only credited with inur-
derine the settlers IN sly and steaitny
manner.
Ths crowd that has been spoken Of
az occupying and ornamenting the bar
room were queer assemblage. There
vas the captain in his launty uniform,
the soldier II his blouse, the sioux brave
Ia bis red blanket, and the bafialo hun
Ter in his beaded bucksxin suit and wide
trimmed sombFero, and also the gambler
~ neat bFoadcloth and patent leather
boots, the only stylish gentleman
there: but the most numerous OF al
we're the conductors and brakemen, re-
fnlgent with gilt-banded caps, Is the
"city" vas az that time the headquar-
tiers Of the railway officials.
The subject that this motley crowd
we're occupied In discussing was the
cause Cf the non arrival Of the pony
express rider from the fort ninety miles
away, In the north, and whether road
agents or indians had wayIaid and
murdered him. The captain claimed
thas the Indians we're the cause Of his
disappearance, and also Of that Of the
other seven express riders, all OF whom
had vanished az completely a. II the
earth had opened and engulfed them
and left no trace behind. The buffalo
hunter was Of the same opinion; bot
the gambler thoughi be bad fallen q VIC
tim 90 road agents. ~ IN all frontier
settlements these gentry made frequent
calls upon the defenseiess traveller and
the land SPECTATOR and the real estate
agent, who, in spying out the beauties
OF the land, in order TO lay out Iusegin
ary cities for the benefit of the Rullible
and their own pockets. were the chosen
prey OF the road agents. To SEIZE
landshark, rob and niaitreat him, then
shoot bis horse and send him 70 the
settlements naked, footworn pilgrim,
was Joy for them and was almost as sat
isiaetory 20 the inhabitants OF the q wn;
for they had learned from experiance
that a land specuiator was dangerous
persoa when they only held their lands
by pre- emption right.
When thia debate was at Its highest
point, a banter was made by the buffalo
hunter that none Of the conductors or
brakemen would dare volunteer 20 SO
With him ever the Road TO the fort, In
order to gain information Of the fate OF
the missing messenger. As no one
seemed willing 10 accompany Aim on
hts dangerous mission, he grew very an
cry aud abusive. and denounced then
ali as towards whose courage would not
allow ths M to perform drawer act than
20 hslp q lady OF platform. while be
vas loadly venting bis indignation 81
their oowardice tbs shrill scream OF u
whistle Was heard, and coon 4 tram
drew mp to tie platform IN front OF the
hotel.
With natural curiosity the inmates of
the barroona repaired 70 the platform 20
see the new arrivals, who were psedily
taken care Of by the landlord of the
hotel, with the exception ct TWO ladies'
who were the wives of the captain ana
lieutesant Who commanded the troop
At the ssockada. these two ladies were
escorted by she conductor 10 the river
and given Ia charge 70 the ferry man,
who rowed them across the river 70 the
stockads and then returned and joined
the group Of idiers at the hotel.
Tbia conductor Was very young man,
AZ overQrown t0y. in fact. yet be seemed
10 b ysfy popular with the ollioisis OF
the road, as they gathered around him
and greeted him vcry cordially. There
seemed 70 be special bond OF friend,
ship between tho Gray-haited superin-
ssnaent Of tina road and this boy, who
vas the Youngest person In tho employ
Of the company.
TIE conversation Soon turned 10 the
challenge % the bnffalo hunter, and
while they we're speaking heenisrcd the
Room. The superintendent said. In
low voice, 10 ths young conductor;
You are good rider and snrc shot.
wsald you fear 10 ee with hiznis
sNo.e said the conductor, .if you
can Rsf Black Prince for me 70 ride
This Black Prince was Q Morgan
horse. as heet a. an eth and OF great
powers Of endurance, but was Of . most
aeadiah and malignant disposition.
Esen the buffalo hunters, the best riders
on the frontier, vouid net attempt 20
ride the splend,d fellow; they feared
his bloqdthiFesy propenatties. - 90 evefy
opportunity he would Assnii his rider
with teeth OF hoofs. Hin owner, q gam.
bier, vas always willing 20 lend him %
Nnyoae Who had the courage 70 mount
him.
a more aessnished man than thai
buffalo hunter would have been bard 70
find whna The yoanz eonauctor siappsd
ap and said. pleasantly:
] will 80 with yea Tomorrow Kzd Ne
Win Try 70 anyesi the mysteries Of that
path q death.s
= Yea are 9 hne lsoking fellow 10 IN
dextaka 10 - 90 mission that The
oldest sccufs and fransieF~men viii not
undertake. tell yes that . hid. glosed
yunng man hike yoa vii and oat that
yua are nsa IN palace car os ladies'
ho1dosr Il Jon SHOULD mees With road
AGENTS 90 Indians on the wArpath. No.
bah. yeu had better nci 80; yoa might
eei tanned By being oar IN the sunlight.
aud 10 hAss yunr face trcUklod woaid be
psfsecssy dreadful. sneerinEsy said the
hudAio hunter.
would pot dare anyone TO 50 or Do
enythine thai / mas afraid 10 yenaasa %
do myself. Feplied the yopthEas and
brave coaanrfor. . ! snrposs y,sa are
afraid 70 Fisk yspr valuable lifs inaoina
manly ac.s and uaaid F2iher enjoy the
kilsiRG Of the harmless bnfaie than
w0sk iike Q man for an honest lisiEQ.
II yea are afraid. vii - aion<< IN ths
hess ct danger coward = nst . rsliahls
ceu pkni4ns
The hnHAla hustler mMSe 10 R1swer.
Ristn2, be wens cat of the Foum foloxed
h9 he ieers ard lznehtss Of The insn4s<s.
VIA. eEp9dzn1 4found The csnd1ctor,
spplaRdsa kisa sociferonsly. ooly ss.~isf
in9 whnn the g2mhiesas voice was beard
insstlnR tacsn Ell ~ have q drink at has
expeDses Z EEop0sitien tnzt was isener-
s.ls Ecerps<<l. and clinkinx Of elxssse
n - a