Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-02-18

come inside an we'll see what We look
like"
Without offering the slightest resist
ance Dan suffered himself to be led back
to the cabin. He was conducted to the
inside Of the building, followed by the
outlaws, who held their pistols in their
hands ready for instant use.
Dan knew that he was suspected of
being spy, and should he be unable to
convince his captOrs Of their mistake
they would show him no mercy. These
thoughts caused him to feel the greatest
alarm, and he set his wits busily to
work TO answer the questions that he
knew they would ask him.
"Now, my young feller," said one of
the outlaws, who appeared to be the
leader 81 want We ter explain what ye
air prowlin around hydr at this time o
night fer!''
Dan had been thinking rapidly, and he
had now decided on the course he would
pursue His plan WAS to first endeavor
to impress the utlaws that lie believed
them to be settlers who had come to-
gethcr TO discuss the trouble that the
rattlemen were then making in that part
Ut the country. If he could succeed in
doing this he felt that strong point in
his favor would be gained.
81 haven't been proving around" he
answered with all the GOODNESS he could
command. II was sent on an errand by
my father-on business which ought to
interest Won as well as all the settlers III
this section"
Nv no is Yer father, an what is yer err
rent" asked the outlaw.
My father is Simon Riggsby; he keeps
the inn ON the road several miles south of
here, and he sent me to warn the settlers
that there was going to be serious trouble
with the cattleluen and for them to come
to his house as soon as possible to SEQ
what could be done
The outlaws exchanged significant
glances, while the leader looked search
ingly at the youth.
How does it come, then, that We air
afoot so fer from home;' asked the leader,
eying Dan ke w..
Il lost my in fight with one of
the cowboys WnO tried to whip Inc with
his cattle whip,' truthfully replied Dan.
"How did it happen, then, that We
didn't go back an git another boss before
goin On:'
In few brief words Dan related his
encounter with Bad Ropes; of the at
tempt Of the latter to shoot him and of
the accidental shooting of his adversary.
Then he explained how the combat had
been witnessed by the youths father and
some other cattlcmcn, who had chased
him into the timber, bent on vengeance,
and how he had escaped them and start
ed to the Mamnaton settlement and fin
ally arrived at the cabin III tho woods,
where he had been attracted by light
and approached, to be captured by the
inmates.
81 thought you were cattlemen at
tir,t,' said Dan, in conclusion, land
would have got away if could. but now
that have discovered my mistake ask
you to let NE 80, for hope you are con-
yinecI that | am not a cowboy spying
around settlers cabins to see what / can
ind ont
Ii was evirout that Dams story had
made favorable impression upon the
outlaws He had explained the cause Of
his presence there ON foot. and Of his at
tempt to escape from them when they
came out Of the cabin. which had 50
aroused their suspicious; he had led them
to believe that he took them for cattle
men.
His story, which was in fact the truth,
seemed to convince his auditors that he