Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-03-17
CHAPTER XIX.
AT THE OCCIDENTAL.

AS soon as the surprised Suggs had re
covered from the stunning blow which
Dan Riggsby had dealt him in the dar.
passage of the robbers cabin in the
woods, he sprang to his feet and rushed
back into the hut. Here he found the
half intoxicated woman on the point of
rising from the floor where she had been
precipitated by the youth. and grasping
the pistol which she held in her hand,
he sprang out of the door just in time to
catch a glimpse of Dan Riygsby as he
was disappearing i'll the thicket down
the creek.
With furious oath he sent a bullet
after the retreating youth. then hurried
in pursuit, followed by the exasperated
Meg Frone.
But the two did not proceed far till
they came to Il halt. That the youth
was armed they well knew, and they
readily perceived the danger they would
be in in pushing him too closely.
Curse him. Missed the enragcd
Su9gs. He has escaped us, and has
got my pistol, Let me once get my
hands on him again and III pay him for
the blow he gave me-
Meg Prone, who was fast growing
sober under the excitement. now turned
toward the house and said:
Come back to the cabin and wait till
| go and notify the men. We cant do
anything alone.
lyon are right, Meg" replied Suggs,
turning and following the woman back
along the path to the house. I'VE must
have the men here to help US, for it won't
do to let that boy escape--it will ruin all
our plans.
wait here till | return" said the
woman. I'm run across the creek to
Bill Akers cabin. Some Of the men are
there and III soon have them after the
boy and he'll not get away"
AS she spoke she ran swiftly down the
dim path through the woods and was
soon lost to sight.
In II half hour she returned with the
information chat her two brothers. Jed
and Oh, with their entire band, had gone
IN Search OF the fugitive and thai no
stone would be left unturned Ia the at
tempt to effect his recapture.
THAT'S business, remarked Sugps
with satisfaction. Shall we join in The
search2"
NO not exactly. We are to go to
Fort Scott al once, to complete the bust
ness you and have on hand that is. if
You tAluk best The meu think it posi-
bic that the boy has gone IL taat dircc-
tlon, and If So we Will overhaul him be-
fore he Reaches The fort. If lie is still in
The woods l.ley are confident of finding
him without our aid"
That plan VIII suit me to T." an
swered Suggs. Let rs he off at once"
81 will be- ready in few moments"
Did you tell the men that it was
probable that the boy had overheard our
conversation, and might expose all our
plans if he escaped?'
Yes"
And they will keep him secure if
they find him."
There viii be no chance of him Civ.
ing us any more trouble once they lay
eyes on him." replied the woman in a
significant tone.
"Goodl Then we'll be OF as soon as
possible"
A half hour later a buggy containing
the evil pair entered the Military road
and were driven rapidly in the direction
of Fort Scott.
Although the sharpest watch was kept
by Suggs and his companion, no traces
of the youth were discovered, for as the
reader already knows Dan Riggsby did
not venture from the cover of the thicket
on the creek till after nightfall.
Twilight was fast deepening into
night when the two reached Fort Scott