Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-12-18

NV fA'PliNA'l VI INC SltilOH we NIT
just left.
They wouldn't play any of their
games on me-" replied MArthur,
touching the butts of his revolvers in q
significant manne as he spoke.
The pale blue eyes of the little man.
who bore the not uncommon name of
Smith, twinkled never so slightly be-
hind his spectacles at the remark, but
he groaned dismally and shook his
head.
My dear sir he exclaimed, in de-
plecating tones, ''you surely would not
commit the awful crime of murder,
even to prevent the loss of the filthy
lucrc which you-hem-claim TO have
acquired through your own honest eff
fortsp"
Claim to have acquired? What in
the deuce do you mean by that?" blus-
tered M'Arthur. as Ned and myself
glanced At the little man in some sur
prise, for it seemed to strike us stimuli
~taneously that there was IA sort of I'M
conscious significance in Mr.. Smiths
tones.
Yet it was. perhaps, a mistake, AS
well rs the fancy hat M'Arthur's
bronzed face changed color never so
little, even As the other spoke.
Mr.. Smith shrank back into his cor
ner as though terrified at the others
threatening manner.
Indeed, ! mean nothing at all. my
dear friend" he answered, in apparent
alarm. q"
But his protestation was cut short by
the sudden and abrupt stoppage of the
stage and a terrified yell from the Nrow
boy who drove. Almost at the same
moment a man sprang from either side
of tbs road with a leyelled rifle.
The first one that stirs gets a ball
through his head!' said the taller of
the two, "A heavily-bearded fellow, the
very counterpart Of the rullian in a
border play.
My own revolver was in the small
valise which held Ned's and my own
worldly goods. Even if had carried
it on my person, it is more than likely
that with the muzzle of n rife staring
me full in the face | should o have
attempted to use it,
Ned was alarmed. So, as il then
appeared, was the little colporteur.
And the valiant M'Arthur dropped on
the bottom of the coach with a cry of
terror, which was feebly echoed by
Mr.. Smith.
In obedience to a gruff command,
MArthur handed his revolver to the
smaller of the two road-agentS, who,
seeming to be assured that no Weapon
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 "A hundred and fifty SOW
creigns between us, and a bill of ex-
change on a baak in Cape Town, which
the taller robber took from us, while
his companion, with cooked hat and
presented rifle, did the intimidatiug.
NJ Arthur alternately raved and swore,
as he was relieved of his belt. The lit
tie man wrung his hands, and raised
his voice in meek s~upplication, while
his specialized eyes were fixed, as
though in II sort of fascination, upon
the rutian who held the presented rifle.
Now, then, gig-lamps, what have
you 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 go Off he said, in tremu-
lous tones; land it makes me so ner-
vous to have IA deadly weapon pointed
at me. Do, please, take it away"
With a hoarse laugh the road agent
tossed his rifle into the hollow of his
arm.
"All right, my little man. he said
carelessly. $50 ahead, Bill"
This to his companion, who APP
preached Smith for the purpose of
searching him.
Then was a transformation scene in
deed. The small man Strengthened up
like lightning. and with a quickness
that seemed almost incredible, showing
his hands in tho side pockets of his
linen coat de drew them out, with a
cooked revolver in each.
Crack! and the shorter ruflian stag
gered and fell, shot through his heart.
Crack! and his astounded companion,
with a yell of mingled pain aud 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 a ball through his
brain.
The whole affair was over in ten sec
onds. Mr.. Smith re-pocketed his pis-
tolls, and taking off his ~spectacles, re-
garded our astonished faces with a be-
nevolent smile.
Deadly weapons come handy some
times, after all, gentleman" he re-
marked.
| noticed a curious change in his
voice and manner So, too, did MAT
thur, who stood for a moment looking
at him with seeming p~erpleXity in the
midst Of his too evident stupefaction.
Meanwhile, Ned, who was of a prac-
teal turn, began taking from the ca
paciOus pockets of the taller of the
two outlaws the v~aluables and money
of which our little company had been
despoiled, at the eager suggestion
of the W. diamond brokers, who had
been literally paralyzed with terror