The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-03-23


take plunge into ice-cold water he
reached down for the box. But wait a
bit. He took of bis big sombrero and
hung it on projecting rock Then fash
ing out his six-shooter, he sent a bullet
through the brim Of the hat, which ne
then replaced on his head Though it
had been hot enough when he started
out from Thimble Spring, there seemed
to be chill in the air Just now. Would
they believe the story that he would
have to concOct, even though be showed
them the hole in the hat-brim? What
would be care whether they did or not?
They already suspected him. II he had
the name, he might as well have the
game. He looked at spot where the
sage-brush clustered thickest, and made
q mental throw or two in alternative way,
in order to get the distance"
Then he laid two nervous hands on the
box. He gave little tug. Lord, how
heavy il was. Could it be tossed over
there, after all? 1t might have to be
carried. He lifted it upon the seat "YiA
Thimble Spring Stage Line" What was
the sense in putting on such direction
as that2 1t was the only way it could
90. The only way. And that way was
now closed, for he was about to
-God, KANT they trust you-you. Zach
Sprinaer. KANT they trust Old Zach?'
be burst out hoarsely. ~Yes, but Why
don't they do as any other decent minin'
comp'ny does-turn- their stuff into the
bank at Frisco, arter it's minted? What
do they want on it up thar?'
Well, after all, that was their business.
But he couldn't be trusted What would
Bill say? Bill was an honest man. He
would blush with shame every time his
brothers name was mentioned after that
for, of course, he would know. Sue
would nsyer suspect. Any Kind of a
story would bambOozle her. Bill was
smart. He could put two and two
to~etl,a. quickly as any mau Il, ~
country. And yet BIZ himself was
little reckless sometimes. He had been
Gcting very queer Of late, and had been
over to Johnson'sa good deal, drinking
and playing cards with the boys That
would not do. Bill must be looked after
He was only young fellow-a mere boy,
even if he had been trying to raise q
moustacbe lately. Yes Bill was good
deal younger than he. Why, he remem-
cred well the day be was born, when
they took him in to show him his new
baby brother. He used 10 carry Bill all
around, and he was the first one to stand
him on his legs and try to make him
walk. he remembered how il used to
hurt his own head when Bill got knock
by falling out Of his high chair. Bill
was Just as much TO him now as ever,
and those knocks which fate and the
weaknesses Of his nature were giving hin
now hurt him just as bsdly-worse, per
haps, than they did Brother Bill.
What would Bill say?
He laid his hands upon the box again.
1t would be safe enough behind the rocks
there under the sage-brush-as safe as
/ if
"Git up, thar, We, Git, Buckskin Git
old Gabe Ye lazy critters. G'lang"
And dowd came the long lash on the
dust t-eovered backs Of the mustangs, and
of down the long grade they ran, max
ing the dust fly in the canon as it never
few before. For Zach had grSsped the
reins in a grip of iron, and both his big
cowhide boots planted firmly on the
box.
"This ere is what call goin' helIyty
split - he said, ten minutes later, as they
were still flying down the grade. ~But
lost some time with a blamed-fool no
ton that ortera ben licked for evel
thiukin' on a mint Vol, the mustang:
got good rest. Maxim up fer it now
though. They'll soon be in a lather
III git the halfway house in a quarter o.
an hour, and then III take good horn
feel kinder nervous yit- That ere boz
is burned heavy load on mans mind
Ispose the Superintendent up to Colo
: Butte is worryin' about it, too. Never
mind, oil feller, you'll see that stuff stow
ed away in yer safe afore sun-down-
whats this? A hold-up, sure a
shootin -
, Out from behind tall rock, a man
with piece Of dark calico over bis fac
: and q very large Winchester in his hand
had suddenly sprung, and the muzzle o
the rifle looked right into Zaeh's BIG
} round ewes. The brake scraped tn
) wheels and made the sparks fly. Tn
mustangs came to asuddenstan Their
; was no getting by that Winchester.
Al reckon you've got the drop on me
: stranger" the driver eoolly made remark
: stick up my hands? In Course I will
eff YOU insist ubon it; But tell yer thes
ere mustangs is mighty skittish, an it
I on ther down-grade. So yer needn'
shoot ef they start up. fer it'll De yer owl
s fault. l Is'pose yer srter this ere box
{ Throw it out7 It's too blamed heavy fe
r that. Yen hev ter give US a lift
7 The man with the gun had said moth
a ing; but the subtleties Of the holding-u
4 process were not 80 6ne but that Zacl
: understood every wave Of the stranger
q hand and every shrug Of his shoulder
o when the waves and shrugs meant any
e thing. Zach had been held up before
e he Of the calico mask cid not step fol
a ward at once. In this suggestion that 4
d should assist in taking of the COX b
It seemed to suspect some trick. But on
d OF Zach's hands was held aloft and th
rs other, with the four reins in it, WAS o
Ie the level Of his shoulder. The man ed
Is ed up to the blackboard, exchanged Il
n weapon which he presented at Zach
re head for a six-shot revolver.
"Thanks, stranger" said Zach, Wit
.e forced merrinent. Il never like TO has