San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-04-25

out without torcln him ter do 1t. Talnt
safe fer 'em ter fool with the mail, cause
they might get an army of soldiers from
Fo.. Scott after EN-"
Hits somethin | don't understand"
asserted Ike Baker. "But yonder comes
three more wagons. Well see what
they'll do with them" As he spoke he
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, 4" exclaimed Ike Baker,
as the wagons passed far out on the
| prairie and continued their course to the
south without coming within an eighth
| of mile of the inn. "Them devils Of
cattlemen air goin ter try ter keep every
body away till they starve US out"
'It looks powerfully that way" af-
firmed Riggsby. "But they can't go on
forcin people ter keep away from tho
place. It's the most outrag'us 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-
ing in their conception. EH4
The probability of the frequent passage
of travellers ON the road had been well
considered by the cattlemen before the
siege had been commenced. They recog-
nized 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 a 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 was just what they wished to
avoid, and in order to carry out success
fully their plans for wreaking vengeance
on the little garrison the following plan
had been adopted:
Two squads of men would be stationed
at the road-one to the north and one
south of the house. Whenever traveller
approached he was to be met by the men
stationed at the road, who were to inform
him that the smallpox had broken outin
the settlement and that the inn was
being used as a pesthouse. No one
would suspect but that the cattlemen
were simply quarantine guard, and it
would not be difficult matter to induce
all travellers to give the inn wide berth.
| This glaring plan had been put into
execution and had been a 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-
zled 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 ter
be did," replied Riggsby in troubled
tone. cit would be as much as mans
life wor worth ter attempt ter git out
NV hyar with them devils watchin fer
u.s." .... r..f -...., -rr....
For several moments Ike Baker was
absorbed in deep thought. Suddenly he
lifted his head and spoke in quick. de-
termined tone.
"Simon Riggsby," he said, 81 amt
goin ter stay housed up hyar like 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 helpp'
Riggsby looked at the speaker in as
constituent.
"What! do We mean ter say yer goin
ter try ter meek yer way through the
cattlemens lines aloneT' he asked.
Sim goin jist as soon as it gifts dark, )"
was the reply. eff / meek my escape
I'll meek my way home, git my boss an
ride ter the settlement"
"Hit's dangerous undertaken" de-
clared Riggsby, IAN amt in favor Of
We maxim SIGH trip, but if We go yen
find some of my bosses picketed on the
grass about half mile west Of hyar
whar we cut the grass fer hay" aF'#
"Then I'll 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
cattlemens lines there were many Others
who offered to take his place or accom-
pany him, but he insisted on going-and
alone.
"'Tain't no use ter git more an one Nv
us in the danger at time, an if don't
git through some NV the rest nv We can
try it" he said with laugh.
That any attempt to leave the house
would beattended by the greatest danger