Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1892-04-02

way. ylt 1t wouldn't be In keepln with
the rules Nv the business ter let him go
jist now"
That's my idea," responded one Of
the men. Thar amt no harm in the
kid, reckon. but ter meek sure thing
dead certain we'd better sorter keep him
till our little business in these parts IS
over an-then-decide what we'll do
with him"
'Them's my sentiments" declared an.
other.
Its allus safest ter be safe" remarked
the leader
After talking together in low teaes for
several minutes they returned to the in
side of the cabin.
1--WE hain't got no fault ter find with
ye." said the leader as the outlaws re-
turned to the room: but as honest set
tiers who has ter keep watch on their
own interests we've decided ter hold ye
awhile till we can verify yer story. You
see ye might be cowboy prowiin around
ter see what we war at, SO ye could re-
port it ter the cattlemen."
Although Dan would have felt a sense
of greater relief had he been permitted
to go his way. he could do nothing but
accept the situation with the best grace
possible.
''Ofcourse would like to go on. he re-
piled. but if you think proper to detain
me | can't see how I'm going to help
matters by objecting."
That's putin the case in a nutshell"
Iauohed one of the outlaws
''If you will send some one to my
home you will find that | am the one
represent myself to be- went on the
youth sit wouldn't take long to ride
over there"
We'll jist let yer know when we git
through with ye," remarked the leader.
Then turning to one of the men he
added, Dick, take the boy an put him
in the wine cellar"
This order brought laugh from the
crowd.
II reckon he won't find much old
Rhine in thar" observed the one ad-
dressed as Dick, as he came forward to
where Dan was standing.
Come on, my boy" he added, as he
led the youth to door that opened in
the back side of the house. Passing
through the door, Dan was conducted
through dark corridor for some dis
tance. when another door was opened,
and he was ushered into a large room
whose walls of clay and stone plainly
indicated that it was situated under
ground.
The outlaw who had accompanied Dan
to the apartment now took the candle he
was carrying, and lighting huge tin
lamp that sat upon a rude table in the
corner withdrew, shutting and locking
the door behind him.
| Glancing about the room, Dan saw
only few articles of the rudest furni-
ture. with here and there some pieces Of
worn and cast off clothing scattered
about the chamber. The robbers cabin
was situated upon the side of u high
bluff, and it was into this that the room
had been followed out. Dan was fully
/ convinced.
| What the room had been used for the
| youth could only surmise. but that it
had been made for the purpose of carry
/ ing on some nefarious business, such as
counterfeiting, he had not the slightest
doubt.
He readily understood why he had
been placed in confinement. 1t was
plain that the robbers were not entirely
| satisfied with his explanation of how he
came to be there, and they were de-
termined to keep him in their power till
the daring robbery they had planned had
, been put into execution.
| What would then be done with him?
This was the question that came to Dan,
causing him to be filed with feeling of
vague fear and uncertainty.
| Should the robbers be successful in
their attempt to rob the paymaster, then
it was probable that they would return
and release him; but should they meet
with defeat and be closely pressed by
the military, they might scatter and
leave the country altogether without a
thought of the one they had left con-
fined in the solitary cabin in the woods.
! While Dan was occupied with these
glowing reflections the door was un-
locked and reopened and woman of
perhaps forty years of age entered the
room, bringing an armful of blankets
which she threw on the floor.
There's your bed, young fellow she
said in piping voice. "Just arrange
it to suit yourself" With this she went
out, locking the door behind her.
Dan took the blankets. and spreading
them on the rocky floor threw himself
thereon, determined to make the best Of
the situation.
For long time he lay there, thinking
over the startling events of the day and
wondering what would be the outcome
of all the strange adventures that were
crowding upon him. At last, in spite OF
the harassing thoughts that beset him,
he fell into dreamless slumber.
TO DC CONTINUED