Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-08-23
tall trees shook as II about to givo way,

slanting lines, driving against the youna
mans face with a force which nearly
stifed him.
The violence of the gale increased
every moment, the streams and r~ivulets
in the travellers pathway swelling to
torrents.
On came the latter, rushing along
with a force which were tiear throwing
the sailor off his feet. Finally the
waters increased 10 such a degree that
Bernard, to save himself from being
overwhelmed by them, sought refuge
IN n deserted hut halfway UP the
mountain side.
la the hut there was a pile of logs,
behind which, at this moment, crouch
ed q slender form, drenched and SILVER
ing with the wet.
1t was William the youth whom the
captain had saved on a former oc-
%casion, and who, OH this day had also
followed him. reaching. by a circuit
Gus route, the hut before Bernard, who,
he thought likely, owing to the direct
ion Of his steps, would there seek
refuge.
During all this time William had re-
manned crouchcd behind the pile of
logs, evidently fearing the captains
~displeasure should he make himself
known.
Bernard had not proceeded far when
he discovered that he could go no
farther, the water filling the hollows
aud other spaces in the ground so US to
prevent his progress.
He returned to the hut. William,
who was now obliged to crouch in
ONE shrubbery TO hide himself from
the captains view, thus remained I'M
til tho young man had gained the hut.
when he started to follow. He had not
walked more than ten steps when he
noticed a party of men approaching.
The moo having now emerged from
behind a cloud, revealed enough of
these personages for him to perceive
that they were mOuntaineers.
They had long boards and high
boots; some of them carried carbines
slung TO their backs, while others were
provided with long knives.
The youth, who understood Spanish
quite well, heard one of them say:
IL tell you he is here tonight, for /
saw him ut shutdown start on his re-
turn, aud | know he could not have
gone farin the present condition of the
roads"
You would know him, if you saw
him, again, | suppose?n
II I'M not sure of that. He was down
among the trees, so that | could not
see him very distinctly, but, as well as
| could make ont, he was a small,
slender man"
Enough. II we only ovcrtake him,
we may aycngc u imprisoned COM
radcs."
LAY, we will hang him to the tallest
tree that grows upon the hill"
His vessel will never leave this port
with him for her captain"
Thus spoke the robbers, and William
knew well that their conversation re-
ferred to Captain Warren.
He hurried noiselessly toward them,
keeping in the shadow of the shrub
berry, that they might not see him until
he should come close upon them.
He had heard enough to show him
that they had mistaken himself for the
captain, and he seemed anxious to
carry out the deception.
Finally, he gained a point within a
few feet OF the robbers, when he sud-
denly rose, half turning, as if about
beating a retreat.
The outlaws, with fierce cries,
bounced upon him. They gathered
-ou,d him bronJ;sb;nu tLa;,.S ln;,o,
their fierce eyes cleaning like fire II
the moonlight.
You are our prisoner. Your name
at oncepn
Captain Warren" answered the
youth. pale but firm.
He folded his arms as he spoke, and
stood with an untiinching air, although
a close observer might have noticed q
slight tremor of the limbs.
Curses upon you" howled a robber.
advancing and pressing the point of
his knife against the youths heart.
Away with him." shouted another
of the robbers.
He was thereupon hurried off to the
hills.
Now. then, If you have prayers to
say, say them at once!' shouted the
leader of the band. 1--WE intend to
hang you to this tree"-pointing TO a
tree beneath which the group had
halted.
The lurid light of a torch was now
throwing a wild glare upon the scene.
The savage mountaineers leaning upon
rifle and club. looked like demons hold.
ing revel by the light Of internal fires.
William was dragged 10 the foot of
the tree the moment he had said a short
prayer.
IL have a request 10 make" said the
youth, as he took a small notebook
from his pocket and tore off a leaf,
(which is that you will let me write q
few words, and that, after my death,
you will send the note to my vessel"
The idea seemed to rather please the
robbers than otherwise.
1--WE Intended to send word TO your
rascally officers of your execution"
said the leader Of the band.
NAY, that is not all. l have more
than a mere statement of my death to
you will let us read the note after
YOU write it?"
Yes. on condition that you will not
read it until after my DEATH"
Agreed; we have no objections to
that, shouted several, simultaneously.
The youth wrote a few lines. Then
he rose.
perhaps we had better read the note
now" said one of the robbers.
Yes. yes" cried several OF his COM
panions.
They attempted to snatch the note
the writer's grasp.
MY last wish is defeated" cried
well, let it be So"
And he flung the paper to the winds.
The gale catching it, carried it far
away.
The robbers dcspaired of finding it
ut least ut night.
Hang him at oncew was now the
cry.
They surrounded him. uttcring fierce
cries. and making wild gestures.
One OF them had meanwhile pro-
,ured a rope, which he now secured
about Williams neck.
The other end Of tho rope VA then
over a high branch of the tree,
o be seized by several Of the band.
sHaulr' shouted the leader.
The mon hauled, aud William swung