The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-09-28


 where our forces were at work. There explained the si, uation to the two clerks in charge of the tent, and said that I wished to spend the night with them.
 "I was armed with good "sx shooter" and the clerks had each Winchester rife. They said we could guard the money without trouble that night, and 1t was arranged that I should start for the grading camp at three o'clock the next morning. By leaving at so early an hour l believed that could baffie pursuit by any robbers who might have conspired to follow me.
 My pony-a tough Oregon half breed-was pick eted that evening behind the supply tent, and the clerks and took turns in sitting on guard at the opening of the tent. l saw nothing of the two strkers" after we left the train, and no suspicious person approached the tent that night. shifted the silver from my "grip" into pair of saddle bags, and, armed with my revolver and borrowed Winchester rife and belt of cartridges, mounted my pony at three o'clock the next morning to com- plete my journey.
 of the trail at Fort Robinson, two miles out from Crawford siding. Both routes led to the grading camp-one trail lay through White River canon and the other led to my destination by way of Driftwood. One of these routes l must take, and as the men who were "shadowing" me believed that I would proceed by way of DriftwOod, chose the White River canon route, a rough, new trail that for seventeen miles led through tumbled, rocky gorge canon in the bottom of which rippled merrly the little streamlet that is the beginning Of the White river.
 urged my pony forward at a good pace until, after sunrise, passed 6 camp of freighters who were preparing their breakfast, and later met sew eral wagons on the move, which relieved the lone Illness of ride and caused me to feel more secure As the morning was hot and oppressive, l now proceeded more slowly.
 About half an hour after meeting the freighters halted at one of the numerous creek crossings, and dismounted to drink and to eat part of the lunch of crackers and dried beef which 1 had brought from the commissary tent As l had no cup stretched myself out upon the rocks at the edge of the current and buried my nose in the cool water of the spring ted stream.
 As lay drinking with my head just above the water distant sound of horses hoofs struck my ear ceased to drink, listened intently, and soon heard distinctly the noise of horsemen coming rapidly up the canon.
 spraDg to my feet in alarm. My first impulse to mount my pony and apply the spurs but as ha gait, racking gallop, was a very slow one, came to the sudden conclusion to dodge into the brush and let the horsemen, whoever they were, go by. There were few box alder trees and several clus ters of plum bush close under the rocks on the right. grasped the broncos rein, and led him in behind the thickets of thorn and tied him.
 had little time to think or act before the horse men came up at gallop. l peered through the leaves they rattled on, and discoved that there were six riders and that the two strikers were in the lead. They passed my hiding place without an apparent suspicion that was concealed there, and, though still much alarmed, I was congratuating myself that had outwitted them when. just as they rode into the water, my pony lifted up his head and uttered shrill, inquiring whinny.
 The party instantly halted. Every rider turned his face eagearly in my direction, and a half dozen rifles and revolvers were erked into readiness for action. My pony whinnied again before could get grip upon his muzzle, and I felt that unless some unexpectedly fortunate circumstance inter- vened I should lose the money and probably my life The horsemen were determined, villainous- looking men, and as glanced about saw they had 6 great advantage over me. The scattered patches of pine scrub the steep bare sides of the gorge offered me but little shelter for retreat and the bushes behind which Istood were but slight pro- lection against heavy bullets At the second whinny of my horse the men dismounted and stood behind