People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-06-17

0lg mistake, said Andy, quickly, land
while you are losing time here, the
real culprits are getting away as fast
as they can. We don't know anything
about that box, but We'll confess to
digging open that Indian grave. We
stopped work a little while ago, and
came over to the house for a rest. We
were hardly inside the door when we
were both knocked down, and the men
who did it are the parties you're look
ing for. They must have been hidden
in here"
Andy's words made a doubtful i'm
preston. The men were not yet con-
vinced
Believe me or not" he added.
earnestly; but you'll be sorry for it
soon enough. Toe thieves are pulling
down the river by this time, and, if
there was any money in that tin box,
they have it with them"
Andy's manner, rather than his
words, turned the scale in our favor.
Maybe these young chaps are not
the ones, after all" muttered two or
three of the men.
THE money isn't about them, any.
how" added another.
well, we'll settle that question soon
enough" replied the leader, sternly. If
their boats on the island thatll prove
them guilty. Wen find way then to
make them disgorge the cash"
This sentiment met with general ap.
proval, and the whole party trooped
down to the river bank, taking Andy
and me with them.
Our own boat was gone. but there
was another in its place-or, rather, a
few yards above where ours had been.
1t was no doubt there when we landed.
but we had failed to see it. 1t was a
rickety old concern, empty save for q
pair of paddles.
This discovery was regarded as a sure
sign of our guilt. A great hubbub
arose, and we were roughly handled
for a moment or two.
But, fortunately, our own boat had
left deep imprint in the sand, and
whca we succeeded in pointing this out
to or captors they accepted it as evil
dence of the truth Of our story-name-
ly, that the robbers had abandoned
their own boat and taken oarS instead.
You fellows may be lying, and you
may not, said the leader, "but if you've
got nothing to do with this burglary
reckon Squire McMaSters will want to
see you about that Indian grave, so
we'll send you right over to him"
The men held hasty conference, and
then hurried us across the island. Their
own boats were on that side-two big
bateauS Half of the party immedi-
ately embarked in one of them and
pulled with long strokes down the riv-
emo doubt in pursuit of the thieves.
The others crowded into the remaining
boat, taking us with the IN, and headed
for the opposite shore.
By this time there seemed to be a
general belief in our innocence, and one
of our captors obligingly told us that
the men whom they were pursuing had
robbed a farmhouse ten miles up the
river that afternoon, and injured the
farmer.
The pugnaciOus young man, who had
tried to club us, was the latter's son.
The burglars had taken to the river in
a stolen boat, and the pursuing party
had followed steadily on their track,
until CLEAN of light from our lantern
caused them to land on the island.
Andy and l took little interest in the
story of the burglary. We were wor-
ried over the lost boat, and over the
fate that Squire McMasters would
probably mete out to US.
Of course the squire was in bed when
we landed but he came down in dress
ing-gown and slippers, and received the
whole party in the hall.
The confusing tale was soon told, and
the squire eyed us malevolently.
"Sacrilegious young rascals!" he NUT.
tered. "I'll teach them lesson"
Then we were led away to an out
building and securely locked up. Es.
cape was out of the question, so we
made the best of the situation and slept
brokenly until morning.
About eight o'clock the squire himself
liberated us and led us down the bank
to the river.
Half dozen of the men who had cap
tured us on the previous night were
standing around. Both bateaus lay in
the water, and between them we spied
to our great delight, our own boat.
1.-The two burglars were captured
down on the dam" said the squire, in 4
peculiar voice, 80 you boys are exon
Grated from that charge. There is you
boat again, safe and sound"
He led us down to il, and lifted the
lid of the locker, revealing the heap O.
bones and broken pottery.
Il suppose this is the result of you
dissertation" he said, sternly. (Which
mound did you get into? The one near
est the house?"
"Yes-yes, sir" we stammered, to
gether.
The squire's eyes twinkled and tn,
corners of his mouth twitched
Thought so, he said. "Those are tn,
bones of my old white horse, Moses.
buried him there fifteen years ago, tn,
week l moved from the island. Tha
other valuable Indian pottery is SOM
broken crockery my wife threw int,
the hole. There's bushel or more o
it back in my wood yard you may have
and I'll pay you to boot for taking
away" The squire paused a moment