Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1892-08-18

that Blackman could find out whatever
be desired, the butcher told the whole
story.
81 dells you true" he said ''Dot
man vas a young fellar, short and tick.
nit black hair und eyes, und crooked
nose
"Corsen" the men exclaimed.
Further questioning served TO
strengthen the impression that the thief
was Corsen To tind and arrest him
was the next thing to be done.
1t was found that he generally stayed
with young man Of his acquaintance
at cabin thirty miles down the river
from the city. An old woman, an aunt
of Corsen's crony, kept house for them,
The cabin stood at the foot Of one of
the high, rock-crested Mississippi bluffs,
and within a stones throw of the river
bank
Anticipating trouble in making the
arrest, Blackman called out few more
men on his way down the river. There
was another all-night ride, wearying
alike to men and horses. At the end of
it, Blackman' 5 party. increased to a
dozen men, dismOunted and tied their
horses a short distance from the cabin
1t was morning, but the sun had not
yet risen. A gray mist hung over the
valley, shutting out distant objects.
The cabin Itself was seen indistinctly,
and showed no signs of any stir within.
The men surrounded it, and Black
man advanced to the door and knocked.
There was no response but sounds of
moving about were heard within.
"Open the doort' Blackman de-
manded
Still there was no reply. just as
Blackman called for an ak that stood
near, thinking to break in the door, it
was opened by Inc old woman.
Blacknan asked first for Corsen's
crony.
Hes gone down the river. He
went away week ago. said the old
woman.
Where is Jim Corsen?"
"He's gone, too. 3"
Blackman entered the cabin. The
woman, frightened, went out. Black
man noticed this movement.
IL seemed absurd to think that any
man would try 10 hide in so small a
room Two beds occupied nearly all
OF the space.
Blackman stepped into the center of
the room. motionng To his followers to
keep outside. In the ceiling of boards
above his head, so low as to be within
easy reach, was a square hole. But
this aperture was closed; and the cover,
when Blackman tried to push it aside.
resisted his best efforts.
rain no oallad fnr tho az and onain
he found IFS use unnecessary, for the
board was showed swiftly to one side,
and Blackman suddenly found himself
looking into the muzzle Of a cooked
revolver held within two feet OF his face.
1t was Corsen who held the revolver
He glared down at Blackman.
Move a hand, and your dead
MANI he cried.
VERY well. sir; I'm here, said
Blackman. He gazed unlinchingly a.
the revolver, and into the eyes of the
desperate man behind it.
''What are you here for?" said
Corsen.
40 arrest YOU"
For whatP'
''For stealing Dexter's cattle"
Corsen uttered an oath. II amt a
thief and | won't be arrested" he said
You are one against dozen" said
Blackmau
What Of that? I'll shoot the first
man that makes move.
IAN right Shoot me, and you'll
still be taken in the end. p"
Never! There amt men enough IN
this County to take me alive.
You might as we'll understand,
said Blaekman. speaking slowly, that
YOU will be taken; if not alive, then
dead. You need not expect my men to
come in one at time, for you TO shoot
down at your leisure. instead of that
they will set fire TO the house, and you
will be roasted out only to be shot down
like a dog
But what about you?n cried Corsen.
with triumphant CLEAN in his eyes.
III shoot YOU dead if they undertake
that
You will do as you please about
that, replied Blackman. To see him
one would have though it was matter
of small consequence. But the men
will capture you Just the same, and in
that case they might not treat you well,
can't say what they would do"
Corsen could easily guess what would
be done Ia Imagination he saw him
self dangling from limb OF the nearest
tree The vision caused him 10 waver
What will YOU 90 with me if sur
reuder?' he asked
Deliver you up 10 the officers Of the
law =
OWN Won SWEAR il Pr
No. My word is eood enough. l
assure You that there will be neither
hanging nor shooting done if you sur
render
But you've got to swear itr'
Il shall not swear it,
Il Il shoot You if You don't,'
Fire away
Corsen hesitlted Backman. look
ing him steadily IN the eve, saw that
the time had come to take advantage of
/ his hesitation
Turn that revolver the other end TO.
and give il TO me- he said AT the
same time he held out his hand to
receive it.
For two minutes the men glared Mt
T Il ~