Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-08-21

than old Bally could carry her.
A deserted cabin stood short dis
tance within the wood, and Madge,
hastily dismounting, ran into it, lead
ing old Bally after her.
Three minuts later two men rode
swiftly by, urging their horses on at
their utmost speed.
But I'm afraid they'll discover my
trick and come back to hunt me, said
Madge, in the midst Of her momenta-
ry sense of relief. There's a long stretch
OF road where there's no timber a mile
or two from here, and when they
reach it they'll see I'm not ahead of
them and will come back to search for
me. What shall l do2 | must save the
mailbag in some way
She took it from Bslly's back as
she spoke, and leaving the horse in
the cabin, she started ou. to conceal
herself and the bag among the bowl
ders until help came over the trail or
until she dared 60 on alone.
Unfamiliar with the dense woods in
which she had sought refuge, she wan
dered about for nearly an hour, when
she Unexpectedly found herself stand
ing In the road, around the bend of
which one of the men suddenly came
on foot.
'Ahav he said. exultingly. T've
ketched ye, hey 1? Thought yed fool
us, eh? But we found yer hoss in that
old cabin, and put our own up long
side of him while we looked ye up.
Now, I'll take that air mailbag an
any vallybles ye happen ter have bout
ye, an
'Stopp
He had started toward her, when
Madge, dropping the bag behind her,
stood before it with pistol held out
in either hand.
Stop right where you are, she said.
'These pistols are loaded, and amt a
bit afraid to use them. Don't you try
to shoot or I'll get ahead of you! You
can't have this mall bagP
The ruffian burst into a loud laugh
at this. 'Ha, ha, ha, he roared. 'Ye
air plucky, amt ye, little gal7 I reely
bleeve yed pepper me if 1 TUX step
toward ye. Good fer We anyhow! l
admire yer grit, but l admire that
mailbag more right after a pay day
in Graniteville. 1 reckon, though,
I'll have to have help fore 1 git 1t.
Here, Bill-oh, Billr
They stood in sharp curve in tae
road. A sound of hoofs was heard,
and the man called out jeeringly:
Come on Bill, fore get riddled
through an throughp
oh! I'm comm an my names Bill,
too, but reckon I amt the Bill yer
yellin' fer. I've an idee this little gal
IL be jist as glad ter see me as she
would ter see t'other Bill amt We,
sis?'
Madge turned to see the old white
mule she had met on the other side of
the mountain, and sitting astride its
bony back was the man who had spok-
en- so kindly. to her.
Good for you lsissy' he said, as he
saw her, pistol in hand. Pop away
if you want to an I'll cl'ar ye for it
fore any joory in America. I'll help
ye hold him level till Bill comes. You
jist keep yer barkers pinted fair at him
while I get him into proper shape
Dismountlng he took some thick
cords from his baggage, and while
Madge still covered the scoundrel
with her pistols, che old man disarmed
and bound him until he was utterly
helpless.
'Now, he said, we're ready to ex-
tend the right hand of fellowship to
Brother Bill an'-here he is
The evil.looking fellow who had
questioned Madge on the mountain
now came hurrying around the curve.
fUp with your handsl' cried the
old man-'up with 'em lnstanter, or
we'll both riddle you with bulletsF
Dazed with amazement, the second
man was easily made prisoner, when
the old man said:
Gosh! amt glad I did come back?
I tell you how 1T was, sissy; I seen
these fellers behind them powders up
on the mounting when l rid over, an
l got to thinkin' bout 'em after you
passed me, an thinks to me, they
wa mt the honestest lookin' men ever
see nohow, an they might do that
little gal with the mailbag harm. AN
seein' you made me think bout MY
own little gal back In Missoury, an
how I'd feel if she was in your shoes,
an I KEEP on thinkin' that way, till I
jist felt it my plain jooty to 60 back
an see ye safe within sight O the Cliff.
When I got up on the mounting an
seen they'd gone, an l hadn't met 'em
comm down t'other side, 1 knowd
thar was mischief brewin', an I put
out as fast as old Sol here would fetch
me an glad I am to get here as I did,
A party of miners with a burrow
train on the way to Graniteville for
ore came along few minutes later,
and two of them volunteered to assist
Madge's rescuer in taking the hold