Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-03-10

tUD HottS ttit w ftth htJJbbU.
The mound is reached, and then. while
the settlers stand in circle with barred
heads, Simon Riggsby repeats the sol.
ernn burial service. Then Offering up
brief and fervent prayer, the rude pine
coffin is lowered into the ground, and all
that remains of the brave and heroic Ike
Baker has found its last resting place.
Then the settlers return to the inn to
discuss the situation of affairs and to
form plans OF mutual protection for the
future.
No sign, Of the besiegers have been
seen since daylight, and it is evident
that they have abandoned the siege for
the present. but there is no telling how
soon the war may be opened at some
other point.
1t was at last decided that the settlers
would remain in camp at the inn for q
few days at least, OF till it was ascer-
tanned just what action the cattlemen
would take. In order to keep informed
as to the movements of The enemy
number of scouts were appointed and
sent out in different directions, with in
structions to keep close watch upon
the cattlemen and report any hostile
moves that might be made.
During the evening some of the set
tlerS visited their cabins to see that
everything was unmolested. Among
these was Abe Croker. On enterin1,
hi, cabin he had found the two notes
left by Dan Rigg3by. After reading the
one directed to himself he took up tho
II ,,, I,D l,o 4 a 4
to the youths father. As the reader will
remember the latter note was written
ny Dan for the purpose Of explaining to
his parents the cause of his sudden de-
pdrture
On his return to the inn Abe Crocl1er
delivered the note to the ANXIOUS par
entS
II reckon he'll come home now as
soon as he ltrns that Bud Ropes wasn't
killed, said Mrs. Riggsbv. The pay.
master met him near Scott, an reckon
he'll write to rs when he gifts thar"
Course he will" remarked Simon
Rigg@by. But don't it beat all about
hIlu gittin ketched an 'scapin from them
rOb.Iera:"
Its jist Providence and nothing
else declared Mrs. Riggsby.
Il reckon you air right-things do
seem ter work ont kinder strange like"
agreed Mr.. RiSgsby.
Nothing TRANSFERRED during the night
worthy OF mention, and it looked as ii
the cattlemen had concluded that peace
was more profitable than war, During
the day many of the settlers returned
to their homes, but with the under
standing that they were to again assem-
be at the inn should ANY sisn of trouble
arise, Those who ramained at the inn
trodght neW supply Of provisions from
their cabins, and prepared to stay for Il
week ii II should prove necessary.
But Whut Of Ben Ropes and his fol-
low. -:
At the close of rheir unsuccessful
siege at the mn they had withdrawn their
forces, aud close upon this came tho
news from the north that Il drove Of cat
tie IN winch Ropes had an interest, and
winch was being driven to Kansas
City, had been stHmpedUd by the set
tiers and several head OF the stock killed,
Ropes gave vent to Il succession Of
bitter oaths when the news was brought,
and declared his intention to start at
once for the scene of the trouble.
ii tell you this thing has got TO stop
he cried IN rage. There ain no such
thing as Texas fever-it's only dodge
the settlers have taken to keep our cattle
ont Of the stale. But they'll fail-or my
name amt Ben Ropes
ut looks rs if we war gcttin the worst
Nv it all round, remarked ono of tho
cowboys in IA tone Of disgust. Reckon
we'll be run plumb out Nv the state if
things don't change"
Its Old Riggsby's fault that we didn't
como out ahead here, said Ropes in a
savage voice. But III pay him for his
tricls-see if don't But what puzzles
me is how the settlers got wind Of what
we We're going to do. They must a.
knowed about our plans or they wouldn' t
a been at the tavern waitin for us when
we made the attack"
That So
I'VE lost two men and got several
wounded, but We sent enc Of them to
grass that we know of.
j. reckon We'll do better next time -
If we don't then yOu can turn me
over to the foolkillor!" calculated Ropes,
with savage gesture. And III get re-
venge on old Rigssby if it takes Il life
tiAe!'
Two, ,~,-y~l