The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-15

holding fully $4,000 worth Of the miners
property. which would, all being well, be
en- route for Frisco on The following Mon
day.
On Sunday morning the honest, quiet-go-
ing miners remained reading or smoking in
their shanties, or wandering aimlessly
down the gully, while the rougher sOrt
scattered around among the various bars
which had sprung up. When the hour OF
service struck every one, except the brokers
and young Tngue who, with the willing
consent Of Parson JOEL had gone for a
stroll. was in his place.
TOgue, although vastly improved. was
still weak, and needed, so the DarsOn said,
all the fresh air he could get There was no
lack Of it in the vicinity of the camp.
In accordance with Parson JoePs custom
ali the firearms were collected and deposited
in the depths Of the extempOr;Zed pulpit
before the service began, so that during
worship he mounted guard over them.
The opening hymn being concluded. the
parson led in prayer.
At the moment when the attention of all
was absorbed in this exercise a shot was
fred outside, and the sounds Of seuffle,
followed by a wild cry for help, were heard
proceeding from the direction OF the gold
Office.
TIE miners, like famished lion aroused
from his lair, sprang 10 their feet, only to
find themselves face to face with TWO taH,
masked men, who had quietly and un0b-
servedly entered the building These, pre-
senting their reviewers. thnndered:
Hands up the first OF you who moves
is dead man."
The situation became clear. The camp
was attacked, and those who should have
been its defenders had been rendered de-
fenseless BY their own action.
One possible chance Of escape remained
open. There was door behind the preacher,
who had remained quiet, unmoved specta-
tor Of the proceedings. Ii this could be
gained the attack might yet be beaten off
and the gold saved.
Those Of us who were farthest removed
from the robbers made a partial movement
toward the door. But this was quickly
checked, Tor as we gathered ourselves for q
rush. the meek and gentle attitude of Par
son Joel underwent a complete and terrib la
change. The mans slight form dilated. his
usually mild eyes flashed fire and his coun-
| teDance became so altered as TO be scarcely
recognizable. With a movement which
was almost quicker than light he whipped
out brace OF Coils Teyolyers from some
secret pOcket, and with the skill of pTac-
ticed markSmaD, he. who feared the very
sight Of pistol, covered the cgngration in
front as completely as the two strangers
had done in the rear.
We were checkmated completely
The game so boldly played was won.
The helpless diggerS, cbafing under the
indignity which was even less patiently to
be borne than the threatened loss, sat down
again, anticipating only too well the course
which events would take
Our chagrin was not lessened when Par.
son Joel, without the ghost OF a smile upon
his face, said:
Friends, adversely comes sooner or later
TO US all, in order that we may learn how to
practice as well as preach You are all
witnesses that | have frequently besOught
you not TO put your trust In riches, which
make to themselves wings and Fly away"
He had scarcely ceased speaking when a
peculiar ery-the yelp OF the c0yote-was
heard in the distance.
This was evidently the signal for which
tie maTauders had been waiting. for Par
son Joel bowed ironically, and, kicking
open the door behind him, Immediately
disappeared. The other two similarly
vanished.
The miners, like a troop of schoolboys.
or gang OF released c0nEicts, tumbled
pelLmell into the open; but they were too
late.
The sound of rapidly retreating horse
! ho0is lntlmated the fight of the robbers
Inere was no doubt of the direction which
they had taken, for one of the fugitiyes was
still fnll ID view. So far from urging his
| horse to It's greatest pace, he seemed rather
TO check IT; designing. perhaps, 10 aid the
eseane OF the rest OF the gang. In his fight
he had the hardihnod to turn and wave his
hand to the discounted miners.
These saw at glance the extent of the
mischief. The gold store had been rifIed.
Its single defender lay dead in his own
doorway, shot through the heart The
other broker had fed.
With a wild cry for vengeance, we turned
and snatched such weapons as were con-