The Brookhaven leader., 1885-06-18

must feel on the eve of battle, but
Gokey was as cool as an old campaigner
The thieves knowing nothing Of their
danger lounged on the cultert edge.
The tall man rested on his elbow. Tho
last man actually lay on his back ga
ing up to the zenith, yet did not see US
approach.
"Pounce on him." whispered the con
stable. The next instant we were on
them. pinned my man where he lay.
GOkey put the mu Zle Of his seven
shooter to the tall mans ear and quickly
thrust his other hand into the overcoat
pocket and pulled out my revolver My
man made no struggle, but ii seemed 70
me gave a sigh of relief. None of the
rest moved. There was no re
sistance Gokey, with the two re
yolvers, stood the master of the situa.
ton. Finally seeing the lulicrousneSs OF
frmly holding down man who evil
IDENTIFY had not the slightest intention OF
rising got up and stood opposite them
with the constable. They all preserved
the same attitude of absolute lndlaer-
ence.
(Which OF you has my $500 | cried.
An instant change came over them.
They sprang up and cried What as
simultaneously as if they had re-
hearSed it.
There was $500 in that trunk. Wher.
is it,"
A wall of absolute, heartrending de-
spair went up from the thieves. The
tall man said:
Don't, Don't tell us there was $500
in that trunk. My God, this is worse
than being caught.
Didn't you get it,
"Get it What do you take us for
DO YOU th.uk we would lie tramping
through this Internal country if We got
; O01
tand up, boys said Gokey, I'll
have to search YOU.
lie handed me the revOlvers and went
through the crowd, There was no cash.
Re handcuffed the tall man 5 wrist 10
the wrist Of the lame fellow. He only
had one pair of handouts.
Now, come along.
Nv here to!n said the tall man.
To fsseI Center"
lave you "a coopay or family
sleigh with you:'
You II have 10 tramp it.
The TN oupled two had started off
but the tall man sat leisurely down on
the culycrt edge again, drawing down
his linked companion with him.
Come back. boys he erie |. I'VE
VIII travel at gov, rnmeut eXl ense after
this Wait till our friend brings his
sleigh. believe the law don't compel
lis to walk, eh loss
IN wait here aud watch :hem if you
hurry up, said ].
So Gokcy left for the sleigh and sat
down on the opposite side Of the culvert
The early winter sun was setting red
at the further end OF the railroad
track. The long parallel steel lin $
seemed to converge on its big ruddy
disk. 1t looked like line that went
very far west indeed I,e place was
utterly lonesome. The silence was in
tense. The winter had frozen all the
customary woodland sounds and the
stiffness was emphasi ed rather than
bro en- by a sharp crack from a tree
now ami then caused ty the increasing
coldness. " hen the sun disappeared
all color faded out and left the grey WIN
ter evening, and then began to realize
now that the excitement was past, that
it was not a pleasant thing to sit alone
opposite four criminals who knew | was
the only barrier between them and lib
erty. lr few minutes it would he
dark and the moon would not rise for
an hour.
-, cntlemcn," said, You appreciate
my position here If there is any hos
tile demonstration it will be my painful
iuty to kill at least two of you. 1t IS
only fair to say that the first man
shall Kill Will be you" This to the tall
fellow.
We'll" he replieI, With thoughtful
nonchalance, Il think you would he
doing Al out the best thing for yo4rself
in that move, but would like to ask a
favor.
"All right"
"I ont shoot me with that revolver of
yours
"W hy"
"Well because the cartridges are all
empty that's one reason.
The rest laughed little AT this and
the lame man said:
"Say boss, got a chaW O tobacco?
'No," answers shortly, for | saw
| that what the tall man said of my re-
volver was trIe.
Now, lock here,"I said, 81 have
only seven S lots instead of fourteen, as
| thought l want you to sit on that
de of the track and you on the other
| You two l.apdcutfers, remain between
the rails where you are. If any one
makes movement IL shoot him
dead.
Say, boss" sal the tall man, eff
! train comes along We two are going
| to take the risk of your shooting
and move. guess my life insurance
policy will cover all risks OF your
shooting"
However placed the men as l
wauted them, and kept them covered
with the re Oliver muzzle.
1t wa soon SO dark that | could
hardly distinguish my prisoners, who
remained as mute as statues. Once or
twice the tall man startlingly broke the
silence by shouting:
There train, boss" but there was
no train and the rest were too despond-
ent to laugh.
lou might have got up fight last
night he said, but tonight we
wouldn't fight a mouse We've had
nothing to eat since We stole your
things"
Then he told me of their tramp with a
good deal of pathos and | began to feel
sorry for the fellows and little ashamed
of guarding them so rigidly at the pis.
tol mouth. lpromised them q good
supper when we got to the center.
! Then came the welcome ingle of the
| sleigh tells and the sound of voices.
"All rightr shouted Gokey.