Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1892-11-25

d. V,.it.i.4t tnlr long journey wa-
s.H..f ,r.l,.i
ln th' making up # tho expedition
numerical strength Lea teen considered
iu.r, thu ,htpyt,, Any and every
900 was 'tk.u that ~ p:ovij. him
~f vI'u a wagon "- . horse and r..le.
TO-. ir.t dt,'s tI,f' tp,ed :hst gGea.
t..'.. Lti h,.r ra3- Wsrs the
.H'tfa - ih. wagons were mos'l~ men
- .'.uiN htl's aud GOOD character,
..r. if BONN, IT, well as for gold,
600 uu uty # the hnr-cmen we're ,ur.
lp.'rt and uuuly characters, some OF
whom Ht beast were leaving civilized
Nt'fishA audi pushing into the Indian
.Hf'N from frif If the law. They
.u..l q plentiful supply of whisky
nI'. 'itW. aul il,t made It plainly nm
ole. .i..l that they would obey tho cap
t'in utl,f, Gully when IT suited them
e. 1.s o At the first campfire six OF
fH. WBEuurrs. disgu>tci with the out
l..t wei" IA favor of turning back,
luf 3D." 'tpitn. who was an old plains.
rHn. encouraged them 10 go on by say
iu.
These men are like sailors who al.
wave start on VOYAGE full Of liquor
Aii'r ~" get h'vuud civilization they
viii '.uo down and hccomc rs humble
~ ,.u please.
lint ho was "A false prophet so far as
fnrr 20 them was concerned These
fHur men were well mounted and armed,
aud they had the look and dcmranor Of
i@fl'r rufian~ They had evidently
lHiu'l %" train 10 ENJOY its protection,
and ga return driiantly refused To afford
~ any - theirs r. compel them to
rtani guard aud assist IN the various
either duties would bc To bring on fight.
AMI this the trainmcn wished to avoid.
II M" four men were driven away il
would only be- after they killed some
uur ani the train would then be so
crippled IN strength that il might fall
prey in the first rowing band of Indians
u,uuutrrcd
fof two or three days all hands had
been expecting to meet with a force of
redskins who would attempt To block
the way. but 10 their great surprise the
country seemed entirely clear Of them.
They were gathered. ~ the reader
Knows. To- attack the party coming
RoTuss from Brrlc CITY.
When the train halted for dinner the
four mcn "" have referred 10 drew off
D., Themselves and held an earnest con-
Yer alton ~ they broke their fast.
"lt isn't over twenty five miles to the
llill- from this" said one. "and if we
are 60 lo anything it must be done to-
night"
How many wagons do we want,
Bob asked u second.
only one. We want the best wagon
aud the hes, team"
And that's Browns" said third.
Just what was going to say" added
the fourth.
u hal already settled on that" OBJ
served Bob. who was evidently the
leader ~ the gang. First. because it's
III" l"st outfit, aud second, because
want revenge on the whole family"
They don't like us any too we'll"
Chucklrd one Of the men.
II reckon not, and now's our chance
Ca get even. We want to fix that wagon
In about two hours from this. It's about
four hours haul 10 the south fork of the
Cheyenne. and that's where the train
will camp tonight"
What about Brown" asked one of
he men.
BIB drew his finger across his throat.
And tho old womanY'
Bob repeated his gesture.
And the galY'
Il want the gal spared" he replied.
'Mebbe ! shall turn her loose after
awhile. and meGSe l shall trade her off |
To some Indian chief for dozen ponies.
I'm told that tho big chiefs are paying
fancy prices for white gals this sum
mer"
AT this there was loud laugh from |
tho four. and when 1t had subsidized Bob |
resumed:
Yes. that gal must be considered nv !
property. and don't you fellows get up |
any kick about II. Wen make a square
divide on the gold. but keep your hands
of the gal"
Have you got n plany whispered one
NJ the men n he saw that q number of
the trainmcn were suspiciously regard
ing the group.
Leave that to me. You fellows Just
go on about your business and be on
hand when wanted. II the plan I've got
miscarries. I'll let you know in time to
try something else"
After halt OF an hour the train moved
on. II was fair travelling now, and the
sight Of the mountains In the distance
aud the thought Of the gold to be OBJ.
tanned put every one in fine spirits and
created desire TO push on as rapidly as
possible Six miles from the south fork
thsro was halt. and scout went for
ward To select route for the wagons
over had piece OF ground. The four
nodded TO each other, but
while three Of them rode forward and
Dfficiously offered their services to the
captain. Bob made his way to Browns
wagon. which was the last in the line.
Its occupants were ON the seat in front.
all interested in what was going on
ahead. and In three minutes the rene
yAde had removed the linchpins from
both hind wheels OF the heavy wagon.
The 'prairio schooners, as the big wag-
Ins OF that date were called, had these
pins In the place Of burrs. now SO gener
lily used.
A quarter OF an hour later, as the
wagons started forward. tho wheels had
made only few turns when both rolled
'way and the rear end of the wagon
'ame down with crash. By this time
he leading wagon was half a mile in
ADVANCE.
very careless OF you, Brown, not to
COX your wagon over occasionally"
aid the captain rs no halted the train
mi rode back to ascertain the cause of
lelay.
II did look II over ut noon and every-
hing was all right" replied Brown.
We'll. those pins dropped out some
where within a quarter of a mile, and
he thing is 10 find en-"
Half u dozen men walked back over
he trail for hundred rods, but with
'ut avail. Then each WAGNER was
sked for spare pins. but none could be
lad. More than enc had an extra set.
'ut their nearness to gold had brought
orth selfish spirit.
Il may want them myself" each one
rgued. and each one denied that it was
n his power TO accommodate.
Another and closer search was made.
nd while II was going on there were
oud murmurs all along the line
Let ms go on!'
we cant be responsible for his caro-
essnessl'
What's the matter that he can't fol-
1w our trail to the river"
The thirst for gold closes the human