Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1888-01-21

puu after IoIiowing II Tor a few miles they
found the robbers had dispersed widely
over the country, winch rendered tracking
them almost impossible. Then they re-
turned and reported their discovery. Capt
Brudee told them then to seek the passes
through which the robbers must pass,
where they would likely again find
the trail. This was done; and
this method was followed up, but
it was discouragingly tardy. Our ad-
the jealousy and contention of the guides.
They differed and disputed SO much as to
the situation of the country, the passes,
distances, proper ways to them, and, IN
deed, about almost everything, and the
party depending so much upon them, es-
pecially in trailing, that it began to force
itself upon our minds that Black Rube's
capture was very likely to be still further
postponed.
The pursuit dragged on. The guides
had fallen much in the estimation of the
party, and Capt Brudee threatened to
send them back, for he considered that
they had retarded rather than accelerated
the pursuit.
The guides were now out, and they mad
been gone all day, and their return was
impatiently awaited. Late in the evening
they came hurrying in from different
points, both with great excitement de-
claring that they had been fired upon by
the robbers.
"Cap'n, me shot, said Black, pointing
to his shoulder, which was very bloody.
shoulder broke, think; me shoot, too;
kill dog thief, Think
''Blank your blinkers, :" angrily retorted
Brudee; s'your business was not to fight
but show as the enemy. And what big
thing have you done?" turning to4an.
''Me see robbee, too, captee. He shoot;
zipee, hit rockee very close, piece slappee
me in face; me shoot plenty quick, an
robbee fall, vely dead"
"'Vely Dead the thunder" retorted
Capt. Brudee, derisively. "You and
Black, here, are 'vely' big donkeys with
out anything that goes into the makeup
of clever donkeys. Don't you see that
you have been shooting at each otherf
Now, gentlemen, 1 am done with your
services; take up your baggage and re-
turn. Go Immediately, you shall not re-
main another hour"
AS it was late and beginning to rain,
some of the men begged that they might
remain till morning, but the captain was
memorable and persisted in driving them
off Black went off with seeming indif-
ference, for, though we little dreamed Of
it, it was what he wanted; but Tan went
off calling on joss to visit sundry bad
things on us.
As it was very rainy, for the greater
comfort of ourselves and horses, we took
up our quarters in a small cave that was
near, and secured our horses little
farther on beneath rocky cliff where we
trusted, as the night was bad, they would
not be molested.
Tan, in the meantime, though very mad,
did not think of leaving us, but had only
gone little ways and prepared to pass
the night on a height from whence he had
a view of our lodgings. But as the con-
tinued rain rendered his lodging I'M
pleasant, he left it and sought shelter
where We had secured our horses.
Here he lay down to rest, but was too
wet and mad to sleep, though the soft,
warm night was very inducing He had
not lain here long before he heard the
tread as of number of men softly APP
preaching. At first he thought it was
some of our party coming out to see about
the horses, but he was soon undeceived,
for they approached very near him, and
their leader turned, and said in a subdued
tone:
"Here men, are the horses; take them
to our quarters, then hasten back, we
must attack the men; / will remain to
watch till your return"
''Nay, Capt Rube," protested the men
''let us be satisfied with the horses, leav
ing the men undisturbed.
II tell you, my men, we must, if posi-
BILE, have that captain and Chinaman our
of the way; the one can track ghost and
the other kill one. So hurry away with
the horses, then return; Iwiil remain just
where | am
The men hastened away with the horses,
and Rube-forit was indeed he-sat down
on a stone almost in reach of Tan, to wait
and watch. Tan was not long determin-
ing what to do. lie softly arose, with his
gun i'll hand, and made Il dash toward the
robber, and laid him senselcss upon the
ground with blow from his gun Rip
ping his belt in twain he bound his man
hand and foot, then ran, filed with exul-
tation, to arouse the party.
"Hilloo-ee! Captec, allie wakee up.n IA
shouted excitedly at the mouth of thu
cave. "Me come. Me bloke Rubee's
Whewpee! me gitee watchee! Be plenty
ing back plenty soon. Be yely quick,
captee, conlee out, hidee till they come,
an kill 'em plenty more
We were greatly surprised. But from
this jargon, and more like it, we soon
learned what was necessary to be done i'll
order to save our horses, and also some of
the robbers, which we did when they re.
turned-killing two. wounding two and
capturing four besides Black Rube
Our surprise was still more complete
when, coming to examine Tan's prisoner,
we found that he was the acknowledged
Black Rube by his men, and that he was
also our veritable Indian guidei
This explained how the robbers had
been so successful in their operations, and
also for the shooting between the Indian
and Chinanan.
Well, we returned withall of onr horses,
also those the robbers had previously
stolen, and our prisoners, yet, after all
rather crestfallen, for it was clearly not
by our own skill and management that
we escaped falling into the robbers
hands.
Tan got the watch-.James l. Baird IN
Yankee Blade.