The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-01-07
A CLOSE CALL.

t0OuSdQQ UOldfh upon coCu UP ~
carry this sum used a pair of saddle
holsters with a receptacle for the money
and place for a pair Of pistols. The
latter were necessary; for much of my
way lay amid the wild and rugged mount
aims far from the main highways. When
] halted at the waysde hotels | was
obliged TO carry the money to the table
with me and keep it in my room at night,
for few of the stopping places had any
secure safes or vaults. Paper money was
not generally accepted by the owners Of
wool, so the greater part Of the money
was in gold. Two attempts had been
made TO rob me. and had become wary
and suspicious; yet the profits we made
were so good that / was unwilling to
give up the trips.
One day we received telegram that
read: Secure all the wool you can. 1t
is sure to advance in price"
THAT means hard trip for me-"
said, CHANGING at the yellow slip, "but
the sooner l am off the more wool l can
get"
The telegram reached us ST Z in the
afternoon. At Q the next morning was
on the road and had nearly $4,000 in
gold coin.
For the first three days / gradually
assembled the mountains, and by midday
of the fourth had reached the summit.
This did not mean a rapid descent upon
the opposite slope, but journey for sew
eral days over the ridges rising from this
central plateau. Some Of these were
densely wooded with pine, spruce and
fir, while others were more open and
contained fine pastures for focks and
herds.
/ was DESTROYS of reaching one man,
who kept his sheep during the summer
upon high and rugged range some
miles from my usual route. | halted
for dinner at small public hOuse lately
built to accommodate Jeamsters engaged
IN hauling lumber from new sawmill.
The surroundings were not inviting, but
/ was accustomed to the poorest accom-
modati )ns while upon these mountain
trips. While half breed Indian was
caring for my horse inquired of the
landlord if he could direct me to Ruck-
er's sheep camp.
eyes" was the reply, "but it's hard
place TO find" at the same time giving
me the directions as nearly as possible.
/ shook my head as he ended, saying:
81 could never find the place in years
time is there no one here acquainted
with the route who can go with me?"
He hesitated a moment, and then
said: There's Bill, the half breed; he
knows the trail as well as old Rucker
himself. Ireckon You can get Bill to CO."
Bill was promptly interviewed. "You
pay me 81, and take my horse and CO."
was the brief but satisfactory reply.
The required sum was promised, and
he at once prepared 10 accompany me.
The moment dinner was eaten we set
off. Instead of being sullen and morose,
like most half breeds, my guide was a
talkative and intelligent fellow, and
gave me much information about the
surrounding region.
Upon reaching Fuckers camp we
found the owner absent, and it took us
an hour or more to find him and the
band Of sheep he was herding. He de-
tainel us longer to tell about the bears
and panthers that annoyed his sheep
than the time consumed in bargaining
for las wool and making the necessary
arrangements for shipping it to us.
When we got back to the public house
ii was too late TO go further that night,
unless / travelled after dark, and TO this
/ objected on account Of the gold.
The landlord said he could give me
straw bed, adding, "Nou see, the place
is new, ami we have nothing better for
ourselves"
was willing to take the bed. and so
turned my horse over 70 the half breed
to take care of for the night.
Just before supper two more travellers
rode mp and desired TO stop.
Rooms are pretty scarce. as you can
see, but we can feed YOU as well as not
said the host
The men, like myself. were not par
ticular as to beds, so remained for the
night. They were rather talkative, and
overheard them ask the landlord my
name and business. Ny suspicious were
easily aroused. and ! noticed that thew
seemed interested in me aud the holsters
guarded SO closely. As we left the din
ing room one of them said. Mighty
keerful of yer holsters, stranger. You
must have struck il rich IN the dig
gins
j made some evaSive reply. During
the evening Bill. the hale breed, came
into the barroom two or three times.
and the last time / noticed that he
secretly beckoned 10 me 10 20 ont of
doors. Waiting till he left the room
managed TO follow him without attract
spg attention.
On reaching the middle Of the wide,
susty road he stopped, approached me
closely, aud said, You see two men
rome on horse back:
inodGel in reply.
He continued: .O~0 bad man: he
rob stage and 20 70 prison. Now he
come back
"A stage robber?' I echoed.
Yes. was the answer; five years
ago he rob the stage and sent 10 prison.
Maybe he think no one know him. IRE
member. tell ven and tell the boss
so you look ont for him
/ thanked the fellow and rewarded
him in a substantial manner. for the