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

road, and under the escort of half
dozen cowboys passed an eighth Of a
mile east Of the inn.
"Ihat Just beats me-" declared Simon
Riggsby, who had been watching the
stagecoach from window in the upper
story of the building. Whats them
fellers up ter? Ia like ter know how
they managed ter meek the driver turn
out without furcn him ter do it. Tain't
safe fer 'eln ter fo,a with the mail. cause
they might get I'm army Of soldiers from
Fort Scott after en-"
Hits sonothin | don't understand"
asserted Ike Baker "But yonder comes
three more wagons. Well see what
they'll do with them" AS he spoke be
pointed to the north where three covered
wagons were coming slowly down the
road.
AS the wagons drew near they were
approached by the cowboys and turned
from the road in the same manner as tho
stagecoach,
"That beats all" exclaimed Ike Bakcr,
as the wagons passed far out on the
prairie and continued their course to tho
sonth without coming within an eighth
Of mile Of the inn. "ThCm devils of
cattlelnen air goin ter try ter keep every
body away till they starve us out"
at looks powerfully that way" af-
firned Riggsby. But they can't so on
forcin people ter keep away from the
place. It's tho most outragus business
/ ever witnessed"
But neither Riggsby nor his friends
could guess how well the cattlemen had
laid their plans. The means which they
had employed to keep those quartered at
the inn from communicating with the
outer world We're both unique and dar-
inc in their conception.
The probability of the frequent passage
of travellers on the road had been well
considered by the cattlemen before the
hegc had been commenced. They reCOg
nizcd at once that to attempt to stop all
travel as well as the passage of the mail
coach would not only be- difficult, but
would be hazardous undertaking.
which might lead them into serious
trouble and bring down the United States
troops upon them before their evil de-
signs were accomplished.
This wa, Just what they wished to
avoid, and in order to carry out success
fully their plans Tor wreaking vengeance
OF the G,tle garrison the following plan
had been adopted:
Two squads of men would be stationed
at the road-one 10 the north and ono
south OF the house. Whenever a traveller
approached he was to be met by the men
stationed at the road, who were to inform
-,
the settlement and that the inn was
being used as a pesthouse. No ono
would suspect but that the cattlemen
were simply Il quarantine guard, and it
would not bet difficult matter to induce
all travellers to give the inn wide berth.
This glaiing plan had been pat into
execution and had been complete sue
cess. But not knowing what means
We're being employed TO keep travellers
from Passing along the road, the settlers
at the Travellers Rest were greatly puz.
lied at what they had witnessed.
IF we could only git word ter the set
tiers ter the north Nv u.s." said Ike
Baker, wed soon teach these murder.
GUS rascals lesson they'd not soon fer.
git"
But don't know how the things tel
be did replied Riggsby in a troubled
tone. 1T would be as much as a mans
life wor worth ter attempt ter git out
W hyar with them devils watchin fer
us"
For several moments Ike Baker was
absorbed in deep thought. Suddenly he
lifted his head and spoke in a quick, de-
termined tone.
Simon Riggsby," he said, Il amt
goin ter stay housed up hyar like a rat
an wait fer them imps Nv perdition ter
starve us out I'm goin ter the settle
ment in the north an bring some helpl"
Riggsby looked at the speaker in as
constituent.
What! do ye mean ter say yer goin
ter try ter meek yer way through the
cattluncns lines alone?" he asked.
I'm goin jist as soon as it gifts dark"
was the reply. "If | meek my escape
III meek my way home git my boss an
ride ter the settlement"
Hits q dangerous undcrtakin," de-
clared Riggsby IAN l amt in favor of
We maxim SIGH trip, but if We 60 yell
find some Of my HOSES picketed on the
grass about a half mile west Of hyar
whar we cut the grass fer hay"
Then III get one Of 'em an ride home
after my saddle an go from thar ter the
settlement"
AS soon as it was known among the
men that Ike Baker was going to make
the daring attempt to pass through the
cattlemen's lines there were many others
who offered to take his place or accom-
pauy him, but he insisted on going-and
alone.
"'Tain'tno use ter git more an one NV
us in the danger at time, an if | don't
git through some Nv the rest Nv ye car
try it" he said with a laugh.
That any attempt to leave the house
would be attended by the greatest danger
all were fully aware, for the enemy
would be keeping the closest watch upon
the place, evidently anticipating some
move Of that kind.
But in spite Of the danger that he