Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1891-10-22
ADeal6WildLandS
on, TIE
Fight for The MISSGklGl Millions
BY LEON LEWIS.
CHAPTER xn-CcontInued.,
or TIE

The driver mounted his box again,
and pulled away into a darkness and
solitude that was almost phenomenal.
soon leaving the river far behind him.
A quarter OF an hour later, in deep,
narrow ravine, the travellers suddenly
encountered a tree which had been
felled across the road in such a way as
TO prevent their passage.
~What does this mean?" asked Perry.
noting the nature OF the obstructive.
at means that the stage was held up
here a day or two ago." replied the
driver, @and that no one has cared to
take the trouble OF cutting away that
tree. We shall have to go around it
@Pnsh on, then"
II was easier said than done, the car
rage having to back a score Of yards be-
fore it could get out of the rayine, but
at length after a great deal of swearing
and fiourishing of his lantern, the driver
got clear OF the difficulty. and drew out
into curve almost at right angles with
his previous one.
At the end of another quarter of an
hour the travellers found themselves in
the midst of a group of armed men who
had taken possession Of an open space in
the center OF dense forest, and had
kindled huge fire, around which they
were gathered
-Why do you stop here, driyer?1 asked
Perry, as the carriage came to halt
Because we are not going any farther
In this direction" was the answer.
-Hour name is Perry Wynans, is IL nOt?5
What has that to do with our Jour
ney?" asked Perry, after q moments
hesitation.
"a great deal, sir. Are you not Mr..
Wynans?"
II am, II the matter concerns you,
answered Perry In a tone OF annoyance.
II was sure 1 could not be mistaken, +"
declared the driver. @YOu came West
on the same train with Jerry S1idder
and his brother"
This remark, under the circumstances,
was In the highest degree suggestive.
what has all this to do with our jour
ney to Musselshell?" asked Perry, look
ing out anxiously upon the evil-loOking
faces by which the carriage was now
surrounded
a great deal, Mr. Wynans, answered
the driver. ~Let me come to the point.
You are Perry Wynans, and this young
lady is Ellie Tower, the cousin OF Daisy
Skidder. You think you are on your
way TO the mines you bought some
years ago Of Hiram Skidder and Charles
Tower
~Well9" queried Perry, impatiently.
@Well, avOwed the driver, pushing
back his hat from his forehead and I'M
buttoning his coat "yOu are not on your
way to Musselshell but you have fallen
into the hands OF a man who has the
best of reasons for holding fast TO YOU
Permit me to introduce myself. as you
have doubtless heard of me. My name
is Sam Gaddler, at your service"
The villain inclined himself with mock
politeness, appearing to enjoy the sup
pressed scream of terror which came
from Mrs. Rankle, the breathless stare
OF Ellie, and the violent start of Perry.
ain word, Mr.. Wynans," added the
jubilant plotter, Il have been informed
by telegraph of your proposed advent
into our midst, and have taken my meas
ures accordingly You and Miss Tower,
with the old woman, are now my pris-
oners
what are your intentionsP% de-
manded Perry after a brief but painful
silence.
any intentions are to take you to a Sc
cure place have in readiness, " answered
Gaddler, ~and these men will bear US
company, taking care that you do not
make your escape. This is all need to
say at present. We shall go into camp
for rest and sleep in the morning, and 1
may then give you further information.
Turning to his men he added:
~Fall in, boys. Well get under way. &"
No time was lost In complying with
this order, and in another minute the
carriage had resumed progress, with a
new driven on the box and half 4 dozen
armed rutfians on horseback around It,
We need not say what were the feel
ings of the travellers. They realized that
they were in a terrible situation.