Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1892-04-30
CHAPTER XVI.
ON THE MILITARY ROAD.

T. 2t=''
What business can yOlt haze tDtth the
pdynldSterT"
1t would be hard to describe the feel
ings of Dan Riggsby as he heard the out
law advancing toward the spot where he
lay concealed. He realized how useless
would be his attempt to escape, since the
other two outlaws were guarding the
edges of the thicket. revolver in hand.
To resist would be worse than useless;
they were three to his one, and men of
the most desperate character.
The steps of the advancing outlaw
drew nearer and nearer. Dan felt that
something must be done. yet terrified
and bewildered he knew not what course
to pursue. 1t seemed as If there was
nothing left for him to do now but to
submit to being recaptured
But at that very instant there was a
crash in the underbrush and deer-an
immense buck-leaped within a yard of
where Dan lay and disappeared like
flash through the brush that skirted the
stream The loud crack of pistol broke
the stiffness as the outlaw hurried in
the direction taken by the deer.
What is it, came from the other
men as they came running along the
edge of the thlcket. What air ye
shootin att
IAN ole buck jumped upin thar" was
the answer. IAN | JIst give him crack
fer luck.
''Hit him?'
dunno"
"See nothin nv the boy"
"No. reckon he amt in thar er the
deer wouldn't bin round hyar.
"Guess that's so. and with this the
men moved hastily away.
Dan breathed IA deep breath of relief
and thankfulness. He knew that the
deer, whose fortunate appearance had
saved him. had not been in the thicket
when the outlaws arrived, as they had
evidently supposed. but had simply
dashed through there, having doubtless
been frightened by some other members
of the outlaw band who We're searching
The men had soon passed out of hear
ing, and Dan now felt a sense of security
he had not felt since his escape from the
outlaws cabin. 1t was not probable
that the men would return and make
any further search of the thicket, and he
resolved to remain here till nightfall.
The sun was already low in the west
a .yIyY lNa
at hand. From what he had overheard
from the outlaws Dan knew that men
would be stationed on the prairie on
each side of the creek to watch for him,
and he was determined to use the znowl-
edge to his advantage,
As soon as it was fairly dark he left
his place of concealment and stole
cautiously down the stream. 1t was his
purpose TO travel several miles in this
direction before leaving the shadows of
the woods, BY adopting this course he
hoped to evade the outlaws who, he felt
convinced. were keeping close watch
upon the prairie at all points near the
road leading to Scott.
After travelling quarter of a mile he
himself that none of the outlaws were in
the vicinity he stole across to the timber
beyond aRd made his way down the
stream rs rapidly rs possible, using the
greatest caution as he proceeded.
He travelled fully three miles after
crossing the road before he ventured to
leave the shadows of the timber. Then
turning in northerly course he struck
out at brisk walk across the prairie,
For nearly an hour he travelled steadily
northward; then turning to the left he
began to make his way toward the Mil
itary road Upon reaching this it was
his purpose to proceed directly to Fort
Scott. where lie would endeavor to frus-
trate the plans of the willy Dill and his
co-conspirators.
He might have continued his course to
the fort with less danger to himself by
keeping away from the road, but he
wished, if possible, to meet the pay
master and his escort, that he might
give warning of the intended robbery at
Drywood.
On reaching the road he found the
travelling much less fatiguing than wad-
ing through the high grass, and he was
enabled to proceed at more rapid pace.
He had travelled three miles, perhaps.
when he caught the sound of approach
ing hoofs in the road ahead.
Not knowing who the comers might
be, Dan hastily withdrew from the road
and concealed himself in the high grass.
Presently four mounted men, riding
at a brisk trot. came into sight. They