The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-12-18
LONG TOM AND HISGANG.

Vi Aoi Dill MCIeo, GuS PfOpfloLOr VI d
small wayside hotel
WHO, and where?" I exclaimed.
Two miners on Brush creek" was
the answer
Tell us about it." said Morley.
'Was it long Tom againp"
Yes. was his reply. just as the
two got to the top of Millsap HILL
Long Tom and two of his band sprang
into the road from behind tree" !.
What was said?" asked Morley.
Hand over that dust or we'll blow
your heads off, replied MCGEE.
And they gave up, of course" l
cried.
wal, one of 'em did. and the other
poor fellow tried to draw his pistol
'.And the robbers?" l asked. inter-
ested in the result
Plugged him full of lead aud came
pretty near serving the other in the
same way. He begged like child for
them not to kill him. so after taking
his gold they let him go. ss-ssa=ss,
| turned to my companion and said,
Morley, we are In for it this trip"
Have you got much this timer
asked Bill.
Twenty thousand dollars" was my
answer
He gave prolonged whistle, and
taking our heavy holsters locked them
up in little cupboard behind the bar.
1t was the only place in the house
that had a lock and key. We were
glad to get rid Of the gold for a time
at least, for we had been carrying it
upon our backs all day.
A few words will explain my stu
alton. I had built up a lucrative ex-
press business between Marysville,
the largest town in Northern Califor-
MIA and the various mining camps on
the headwaters Of the North Feather
river. The region l had to traverse
was wild and lonely one; the road
being a pack trail along the narrow
ridge upon which this small hotel was
built. I always went fully armed and
on this trip had q companion upon
whom I could rely; yet the robbers
had every advantage of us, for the
trail ran through densely wooded
region, where it was impossible to see
half dozen rods away. Within the
past month this route had been in
tested by a band OF highwaymen
under the command of very tall man
called Long Tom" A number of
persons had been Stopped and I felt
that the next day would be perilous to
Morley, my companion. and L
Wal you are safe here" said Bill.
coming from behind Che bar. And
now will tell Bob to hurry up sup
per-"
He went of to the kitchen, where a
colored man of1ciated as cook. leav-
ing Morley and I to discuss the situa-
ton. We had to pass through a mar
row hall to reach the dining ROOM
and were thus some distance from
whore the gold had been secured, so
Bill remained to watch that while we
ate our meal. As we arose from the
table I went to the kitchen to see
about an early breakfast On my re-
turn thought heard the murmur of
voices but supposed that new ar
rival had come and threw open the
bar-room door without the slightest
suspicion OF danger. In an instant a
pistol was showed into my face. and
the harsh voice of Long Tom" the
robber chief. cried: Throw up your
hands,"
Instead Of instantly obeying moved
my hands toward my side, where hung
my trusty revolver. Ere l could
grasp it the stern voice of the robber
cried: up with your banda or will
blow your brains outr' A single
glance showed me the folly of resist
ance. Both of my companions had
been captured in the meantime
and their arms removed, while the
room was filed with half dozen high
waymen. prepared to shoot me down
in a second I threw up my hands;
my weapons were removed and with
those of Bill and Morley placed on a
box in one corner of the room, and
then the leader said: Take seat
there with the other fellows. and don't
try any tricks on us or you'll get a
dose OF cold lead"
To say that felt crestfallen and hui
inflated would but family express my
thoughts. Taking seat by MCGEE I
said in a whisper: How did it hap
penn" He replied in the same tone:
Two of 'em came in pretending to be
miners, and called for drink. As
turned to get the liquor they covered
me with their pistols and made me sit
here"
.And the others?" I asked.
One of the two ran to the door and
gave signal and in a moment the
four others came in. Two Of 'em stood
by the door and caught Morley just as
they got you. Then the captain and
that other fellow with the gray beard
broke open the little cupboard and got
the gcld.'
Robbed Of $50, OOO.' said l, with a
groan. thought of the miners to
whom it belonged. and how would be
received by them on my return.
At this. moment the tall captain
turned to Bill. and said, Call in that
black cook of yours" MCGEE gave a
oud call and moment later the
ound, good-natured face OF Bob ap-