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

VI 1no OOunViy' IL ne could succeed III |
ioing this he felt that a strong point in
- 49, 1900 'ss.- -.sir>oI .,t
81 haven't been prowling around, :" he
answered with all the GOODNESS he could
command. 81 was sent on an errand by
my father-on business which ought 70
interest you as well as all the settlers in
this section.
WHO is yer father, an what is yer err
rent?" asked the outlaw.
"My fatheris Simon Riggsby; he keeps
the inn on the road several miles south of
here, and he sent me to warn the settlers
that there was going to be serious trouble
with the cattlemen and for them to come
to his house as soon as possible to see
what could be DONE"
The outlaws exchanged significant
chances, while the leader looked search
ingly at the youth.
slow does it come, then, that We air
afoot so fer from homer" asked the leader,
eying Dan keenly.
81 lost my horse in a fight with one of
the cowboys who tried to whip me with
his cattle whip" truthfully replied Dan.
"How did it happen, then, that We
didn't go back an git another boss before
goin on?"
In few brief words Dan related his
encounter with Bud Ropes; of the at
tempt of the latter to shoot him and of
the accidental shooting of his adversary.
Then he explained how the combat had
been witnessed by the youths father and
some other cattlemen, who had chased
him into the timber, bent on vengeance,
and how he had escaped them and start
ed to the Marmaton settlement and fin
ally arrived at the cabin in the woods,
where he had been attracted by light
and approached, to be captured by the
inmates.
81 thought you were cattlemen at
first" said Dan, in conclusion, land
would have got away if could, but now
that have discovered my mistake ask
you to let me go, for hope you are con-
WINGED that / am not cowboy spying
around settlers cabins to see what / can
find out"
1t was evident that Dams story had
made a favorable impression upon the
outlaws. He had explained the cause of
his presence there on foot, and of his at
tempt to escape from them when they
came out of the cabin, which had so
aroused their suspicious; he had led them
to believe that he took them for cattle
men.
His story, which was in fact the truth,
seemed to convince his auditors that he
was what he represented himself to be,
yet they were not going to act with I'M
due haste.
Motioning several of the outlaws to
follow him, the leader went out of the
cabin, where consultation was held.
81 reckon he's jist what he seq he is"
said the outlaw leader, Gan can't see
no necessity NV putin him outen the
way, yit it, wouldn't be in keepin with
the rules NV the business ter let him go
jist now" ....
"That's my idea," responded one of
the men. Thar amt no harm in the
kid, reckon, but ter meek sure thing
dead certain we'd better sorter keep him
till our little business in these parts is
over an-then-decide what we'll do
with him."
"Them's my sentiments" declared an
other.
Its allus safest ter be SAFE" remarked
the leader.
After talking together in low tones for
several minutes they returned to the in
side of the cabin. e...s. .s.
1--WE hain't got no fault ter find with
ye," said the leader, as the outlaws re-
turned to the room; "but as honest set
tiers who has ter keep watch ON their
own interests we've decided ter hold We
awhile till we can verify yer story. You
see We might be cowboy prowlin around
ter see what we war at, so We could re-
port it ter the cattlemen."
Although Dan would have felt sense
of greater relief had he been permitted
to go his way, he could do nothing but
accept the situation with the best grace
possible. a.. g..
"Of course would like to go on" he re-
piled, 'but if you think proper to detain
me can't see how I'm going to help
matters by Directing"
"That's putin the case in nutshell"
laughed one of the outlaws.
IF you will send some one to my
home you will find that am the one ]
represent myself to be-" went on the
youth. at wouldn't take long to ride
over there"
"We1l jist let yer know when we git
through with ye," remarked the leader.
Then turning to one of the men he
added. "Dick, take the boy an put him
in the wine cellar"
This order brought laugh from the
crowd.