San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-04-26

Was qulIS Vain III Iut TOOul, Ine lamp
having burned out, but through crevice
in the rocky roof above bright CLEAN
of sunlight entered, showing the youth
that it was daylight.
For one brief moment he sat there
upon the bed in half bewildered man
ner, as the startling events of the past day
came to him; then as a full realization
of his situation dawned upon him he
sprang to his feet and hastily drew on
what articles of apparel he had removed.
Scarcely had he finished his hasty
toilet when key turned in the lock, the
door opened and one of the robbers en-
| tered the room.
Signaling for Dan to follow him he
led the way into the large outer room in
in conference the night before.
AS our hero entered the room he saw
two rough looking men sitting by a wide
fireplace, in which burned a bright log
fire. At one end of the room the woman
Dan had seen the night before was busily
engaged in setting the table for break
fast.
The men by the fireplace nodded to
the youth as he entered, and one of them
said
Reckon we'll have ter ask ye,ter stop
with US another day. 'Commodations
amt extra. but we'll give ye the best we
got" with low chuckle.
"Tm not going to complain" answered
Dan in careless tone, for he had come
to the conclusion that it was best to ac-
cept the situation with as good grace as
possible. 81 would have preferred to
go on to the Marmaton today" he con-
tinued, but if you are determined to
keep me here suppose I'll have to stay"
"That's right agreed the man, nod
ding his head as if to give emphasis to
his words. Wen hat to keep We till
Tomorrow mornin at least; then if the
captain is satisfied that We amt cattle
man spy we'll let ye CO."
At this juncture breakfast was an
nounced, and Dan was invited to take a
seat with the men at the table. The
fare was coarse, but Dan managed to
make hearty meal, for he had eaten
but little in the past twenty-four hours
and felt extremely hungry.
As soon as the meal was over Dan
was conducted back to the room in
which he had spent the night. The door
was locked, and he was alone.
From what he had overheard of the
robbers conversation the night before
he was convinced that an attempt would
be made to rob the paymaster that night,
and that he was to be held as prisoner
on mere pretext till the work was ac-
complished. al ..r. .... Do
As Dan reflected over his situation he
became greatly worried over the con-
dition of affairs, and for some time he
was prey to the most unpleasant mis-
givings. To be cooped up there when a
| great crime was about to be committed,
and with no means in his power of pre-
venting it, plunged him into state of
restless excitement. - 5H--
IF could only make my escape" he
muttered, glancing about the room.
Then sudden thought came to him.
Perhaps he could escape. There were
only three men about the place to his
knowledge, and they might leave to join
their companions at any time. There
was one thing that he felt sure of, and
| that was that the men would be absent
from the cabin at the time set for the
robbery. If he could only manage to
escape he might succeed in preventing
the robbery. But how was this to be &C.
complished?
He had the whole day before him in
which to consider the matter. Lighting
match he made hurried survey of
the room, but could see no way in which
he could effect an escape. Scattered
about the room were several empty
boxes, with here and there a pile OF
black bottles, some broken and giving
forth the fumes of spirits.
The walls were Of rough, loose stone
with patches of red clay visible through
gaps where the wall had tumbled down
The roof was of smooth stone, with here
and there crack, which had once been
daubed with mud. but which was now
open, admitting the light of day.
Dan lit another match and made al
attempt to light the lamp, but found
that the oil had all burned out. Having
no more matches in his possession he
was compelled to continue his survey Of
the chamber by the dim light that came
through the crevices overhead. ~.
For an hour he continued his exami
nation of the chamber. There was only
one way of escape visible, and that was
to dig his way out. He might, by many
hours Of the hardest toll, dig his way t.
the outside. But what was he to worl
with? He had nothing but small
knife. and he realized how insignificant
| Il L. - a. L e.