Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-10-04
TIE CANVAS JAIL.

G E-s5sS>- zzaS1 -
"Fdtl.er, this young lady is Miss Wal
lace"
One Of the prairie wagons was made a
prison for the two captives. The walls
were only canvas, and the entrance had
nothing more like bars than the cross
ings of cord that tied the flaps together.
But Deputy Sheriff and Detective Allo-
way REINFORCED the cloth with human
safeguards. Boss Donald was convinced
OF the prisoners probable guilt, and he
felt that it was right to lend four work
men to thaduty of patroiing around the
wagon until morning. He had no sym
pathy for Jack High, and not much for
Old Jugg Brown; and his rude kindli-
ness to Deuce and VIII found expression
in a brusque command to clear away
from the vehicle containing their de-
spised fathers
I'm sorry for you, Will" he said,
gripping the young mans shoulders with
his brawny hands and Sowing into his
face, but you can't 90 anything for the
old man tonight. AS for you, Sis" and
he grasped her wrist with scarcely
les1ened force, "what you want to do is
to go to sleep. Now, don't cry"
There was not the faintest suggestion
of tears in her frightened eyes, and the
suggestion that they would shut them
selves in sleep was 50 absurd that she
could almost smile III IT,
Cant stay with dad?" she pleaded.
Aleck Wiams had been active and in
sistent in helping Alloway to establish
sure Jail, and to Deuce's request he
perenptori}y said: mo, you can't. We
don't propose to give him your sharp
wits to help his own in some scheme to
escape. You nor VIII can't go near
them till morning"
Look here, Mr.. Donald" the girl per-
sisted, ignoring Wiams, you're all
making mistake. My dad is a gam
bier, and he can't be called circum-
spect gentleman; but he isn't counter
feiter and he wouldn't cheat any man
out Of nickel except in the way of
cards. Besides, he hadn't any money,
1
know that" and she appealed to Will
Brown. =
4A:ItraFyaes" tNEill assepted earnestly.
"He had 10 get dollar from me-"
Wiams laughed viciously. He had
not known before how small an amount
it had been possible for him to win in
the game, and he angrily exclaimed:
hi he
cent either, | suppose, but we find his
pockets full Of counterfeit money just
the same. Where did it come from, I'd
like to know"
HE says he won it from you," said
VIII.
Tell me how-in this game that never
was played-how it was that he could
start into it without cent to play
With Wia1ns excitedly argued.
Better be off to bed, my boy" Boss
Donald said "you can't do anything to-
night. OF with you'll"
Will Brown obeyed the last emphatic
command, SO far at least as to slowly
quit the spot. Deuce would have fol-
lowed him, but the hand of Donald was
still on her wrist. Little girl" he said,
with abated harshness, you're going to
get right into the hammock in my tent
and stay there till daylight. can't use
myquarters tonight, anyhow, and you're
welcome to them"
There was force enough in his one
arm to conquer her hardest resistance.
and SO she made none by either word or
motion, but let him lead her to tent,
which was high and square, for it served
the boss rs a daytime Office as well as
for sleeping quarters. 1t had no occu-
pant until they entered. From one end
pole to the other a hammock was strung.
1t was as high as the mans breast, and
therefore about level with the girls
chin. Without word he lifted her in
his arms and laid her in the suspended
couch.
"Now there's no use fretting," he
said, with what was gentleness in such
a man accustomed to giving gruff orders
to gangs of laborers; you go to sleep,
do you hear?" and he set the hammock
TO swinging like cradle. Nothing
shall happen to your father before morn
ing-nor to you. Good night"
THANK you," she responded family.
Good night"
She lay alone, gazing wide eyed and
sieepless at the canvas roof, with her
mind in an absolutely thoughtless con-
dition. The blow had stunned her, and
she only slowly regained her accustomed
mental activity. The sky became filled
with drifting black clouds, and it was at
Increasingly rare intervals that they let
the moon shine through. At one of
these times, following few minutes of
darkness, the illumination was SO sud
cen and brilliant that the change reused
her from a lethargy which might other
wise have lulled her to sleep. An instant
CT daze, of confusion as to where she
was, and then she saw man sharply
Swallowed on the side of the tent 1t
was a start1ingly vivid silhouette. The
figures pantomime was that of cautious
stealth, and it was her first alarmed be-
lief that it was inside the tent. But it
was noiseless and it disappeared as sud
denly as it had come. She stared at the
blank fabric. Then the clouds shut off
the light again and she was left in
gloom that was almost black
''Sisstr' came to her alert ears as she
dlmly saw that the entrance to the tent
was being cautiously opened. Don't
be scared, and don't make any noise"
was whispered.
She swung her feet over the edge of
the hammock and sat up. Instantly the
intruder was close to her. with his hands