The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-01-07


measure as spies and decoys.
AT length, all being in readiness
for start, we set out on the pursuit,
and, for greater secrecy, in the wee
sma' hours of the hight. We soon
reached the mountain region where
the robbers had entered. Here the
guards dismOunted and struck out to
hunt the trail this they soon found,
but after following it for a few miles
they found the robbers had dispersed
widely over the country, which rem
dered tracking them almost impos-
sible. Then they returned and re-
ported their discovery. Capt. Brudee
told them to seek the passes through
which the robbers must go, where
they would likely again find the
trail. This was done and this meth
cd was followed up. but it was dis
couragingly tardy. Our advance was
still further impeded by 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 indeed, about almost
everything. and the party depending
SO much upon them, especially in
trailing, it began to force itself upon
our hands, that Black Rube's capture
was very likely to be still further
postponed.
The pursuit dragged on. The
guides had fallen much in the esti-
nation of the party, and Capt. Bru-
dee threatened to send them back,
for he considered that they had re-
tarded rather than accelerated the
pursuit.
The guides were now out, had been
gone all day, and their return was
impatiently awaited. Late in the
evening they came, hurrying in from
different points, both with great ex-
element declaring that they had been
hred upon by the robbers.
"Cap'n, me shot," said Black,
pointing to his shoulder, which was
very bloody. "Shoulder broke me
think; me shoot, too; kill dog thief,
think"
"Blank your bIinkers." angrily
retorted Burdee, "your business was
not to fight, but show us the enemy.
And what big thing have you done?"
turning to Tan.
"Me see robbee, too, captee. He
shoot; zipee, hit rockee vely close,
piece slappee me in face; me shoot
plenty quick, an robbee fall. vely
dead"
"'Vely dead the thunder" retort-
ed Capt. Burdee, derisively. "You
and Black, here, are 'vely' big dom
keys. without anything that goes into
the makeup of clever donKeys. Don't
you see that you haYe been shooting
at each other? Now, gentlemen, |
am done with your services take up
your baggage and return. Go imme.
diately, you shall not remain another
hour"
AS it was late and beginning to rain
some of the men begged that they
might remain until morning, but the
captain was ineXorable and persisted
in driving them off. Black went off
with seeming Indifference, for though
we little dreamed of it, that 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 great.
er comfort of ourselves and horses we
took uD our quarters in small cave
that was near, and secured our horses
little farther on beneath a 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,
OuI iiau OuiJ SOuC liIllC ways anu
prepared to pass the night on height
from whence he had a view of ouI
lodgings. But as the continued rain
rendered his lodging unpleasant, 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 a number of men softly
approaching. At first he thought it
was some of our party coming out to
see about the horses, but he was soon
undeceiyed, for they approached
very near him, and their leader turn
ed and said, in subdued tone:
"Here, men, are the horses take
them to our quarters, then hasten
back, as we must attack the men |
will remain to watch until your re-
turn"
"Nay, Capt. Rube." protested the
men, "let us be satisfied with the
l. 4