The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-26

II jyWN OF bis life. and WAS
w IN fact inhumauly
mishandled; but
e,cundra. IN the midst Of threats and cruel
ties. stuck 10 IL with extraordinary loyalty
that be was quite ignorant OF his master
plans. which might indeed bo true, and oil
the manner Of his escape, which was demon
s,rably false. Nothing was therefore left "a
fb, conspiraiors but 20 rely entirely on the
skiH Of Mountain. Tho night had been frosty
tbe rrourd quito hard and tho sun was no
sooner up than a strong thaw set in. IL was
Mountain boast that few men could nave
followed that trail, and still fewer even OF
to native Indians found &C. The master had
thus q long start before his pursuers had the
scent. and he must have Travelled with sur
prlsing energy for q pedestrian 50 unused,
since 10 was near noon before Mountain had
a view Of him.
At this conilncture the trader was alone,
an bis companions following, at bis own 70
quest several hundred yards In the rear; he
Knew the master was unarmed; his heart was
besides heated with tho exercise and lust Of
hunting. aud seeing the quarry 50 close, so
defenselcss aud seemingly 50 faugued, he
taingi0rlousy determined 20 effect the cap
frro with his single hand. A step or two
further brought him 90 one margin Of little
clearing; on the orler, with his arms folded
and bis back 10 a huge stone, the master sat
10 is possible Mountain may have made q
rustic. 10 is certain at least, the master raised
bio head aud gazed directly at that quarter
Of tie thicket where his hunter lay. 81
could not bee sure BIO saw me" Mountain said
"he Just looked my way like a man with bis
fllnl made up. and all the courage ran out Of
me ike rum out Of a bottle And presently
when the master looked away again, and ap
iear.l To- resume those meditatious in which
be had sat immersed before the traders com
ine. Mountain skunk stealthily back and 70
turned 90 seek the help Of his companions
And now began The chapter Of surprises
for the scout had scarce informed the Others
a. bis discovery. and they were yet prepar
ing Oh cir weapons for a rush upon the fugi
tive, when the man himself appeared IN their
midst. walking openly and quietly, with his
band behind bis back
IA. mu1 says be, on his behoding them
"Iore Is "a fortunate encounter. Let us get
back 10 camp"
Mountain has aforementioned his own weak
The thickct, SO that with all the rest his re.
tugu appeared spontaneous. For all that,
Luhbub arose; caths few, fists were shaken,
ard guns pointed
let us get back 20 camp, said the master
81 have an explanation 10 make, but il must
be laid before you all. And In the mean.
while ! would put mp these weapons, one Of
which might very easily 50 of and blow away
your hopes of treasure would not kill,
Says be-, smiling, "the goose with the golden
eggs"
The Charm Of his superiority once more
triumphod; and the party, in no particular
order, SET on on their return By the way,
he found occasion TO get a word or two apart
with Mountain.
"You are a clever fellow and a bold,n says
De, "but | am not so sure that you are doing
yourself justice. / would have you TO con
slider whether you would not do better, ay,
and safer. 90 serve me instead Of serving 50
commonplace a rascal as Mr. Harris Con
sider Of it, he concluded dealing the man a
gentle tap upon the shoulder, "and don't be
in haste Dead or alive, you will find me an
il man 70 quarrel with"
When they were come back 10 the camp
where Harris and Pmkorton stood guard over
Secundra, these two ran upon the master
like viragoes and were amazed out Of measure
when they were hidden by their comrades TO
'siand back and hear what tho gentleman
had o. say" The master had not flinched be
fore their onslaught nor at this proof Of the
ground be had gained did no betray the least
sulicicncy.
DO not let US be in haste" says he Meat
FIRST and public speaking after"
With that they made a hasty meal, and as
soon as IL was done the master, leaning on
one elbow, began his speech. Tie spoke long
addressing himself 10 each, except Harris
finding for each with tho same exception
some particular ilattery. He called them
"bold, honest blades, declared he had never
seen a more Joyial company, work better
done, or pains more morrily supported
swell, then.n says he, "somo ono asks me
why tho devil 1 ran awayF But that is
scarce worth answer, for think you all know
pretty we'll But you know only pretty we'll
That is a point ! shall arrive at presently
and be you ready % remark it when 10 comes.
There is a traitor here-a double traitor. ]
will give you his name before am done, and
1T that suffice for now But here comes
some other gentleman aud asks me why in
the devil / camo backf Wen, before / an.
swcr that question / have one 70 put to you.
] was this cur here this Harris, that speaks
cries ho. rising on one knee
nad pointing fair 40 the mans face, with a
gesture indescribably menacing, and when he
bad been answered In tho affirmative, "AhW
lays be. "then are all my suspicious verified,
and did rightly 10 come back. Now, men,
bear the truth for the first time" Thereupon
BIO launched forth in a long story, told with
skill bow he had ali along sus
pccttd Harris how be bad found the con
irmQtion OF his fears, and how Harris must
have misrcprcsented what passed between
Sccuudra and himself
At this point he made a bold stroke with |
excellent effect. 81 suppose" says he, ''you
Ihink you are going shares with Harris,
suppose you think you will SEQ 70 that |
Yourselves; You would naturally not think so
lat rogue could cozen you. But have a
,arel These half IDIOTS have a sort Of cum
ming, as the skunk has It's stencil, and 81 may |
be news 20 you that Harris has taken care Of |
limalf already Yes, for him the treasure |
S all raouey Ia the bargain. You must find
{ or 20 siarve. But ho has been paid before
iand: my brother paid him 70 destroy NE, |
oos al him, II you doubl-look az him grin.
ilng and gulpins, "a detected theft Thence. /
layiiig made thls happy impression, he ex.
,Iainsd how be had escaped and thought |
,eitor 81 *, and 40 last concluded 10 come
,ack. lay tho truth before the company, aud /
AXE his chance with them once more, per
naded. as hc was. they would instantly do.
,o.e Harris and elect some other leader.
There is the whole truth said be, "and
alth ono exception put myself entirely ia
FOUR hands What is tho cxceptioni There
.e slts" ho cried, pointing once moro to Har.
-; "a man that has 20 diei Weapons and
'oudirions are all one 10 me; put mo face 70
ace with him, and II you give me nothing
pat stick, Ia I've minu-ss / will show YOU
op Of broken carrion ilt for dogs 70 roll m
Il wa dark night when be made an end.
hey bad listened IN almost perfect silence:
ut the hrciiSht scarce permitted any one 10
ldge, from The look Of his neighbors, with
hat result Of persuasios OF conviction IN
eod, tho master had set himself In the bright
. place. and kept bis face there. 20 be the
inter Of mons eyes, doubtless on a profound