The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1892-02-13
CHAPTER XVIII.
An THE xrrN-

AT THE TAVERN.
Ire two men who had just entered
the Fair Play tavern were indeed by Ike
Despard and his evil accomplice, Dan
ton. At the sight Of them new terror
and apprehension seized the timid Inez.
and even White FaWn looked anxious
and concerned
Had they. however, known the true
condition of affairs with the outlaws
they would have been less fearful CT
their over to injure them. For retri-
button, swift and terrible. seemed to
have followed the bandits. and the ar
rival OF their leaders at the tavern was
in the nature Of flight from their enc
mics.
The canoe containing the outlaws
had nearly overtaken the fugtives
The Modocs had pursued the bandits.
Ecspard and his men had been attacked
by the Indians at a bend in the river
Shadow Snake was their leader and
Darrell Grey was among them. Before
the startled outlaws could prepare tor a
defense, a deadly hail Of leaden bullets
was poured into their midst.
Instantly the river became the scene
of the greatest confusion and excite
ment The canoe. penetrated by the
bullets, sank in midStream, and those
not killed or wounded tried to swim to
the opposite shore.
Of their number only two escaped
Despari and Danton and they We're
both slightly wounded. OF the others
not ole escaped the dread vengeance Of
the Modocs.
The bandit leaders gained the shore,
cyaded pursuit, and, as has been seen,
reached tho Fair Play Tavern shortly
after the arrival Of the fugitives.
They entered the bar-room, seeking to
e, ade notice, and passed into the ante
room behind the bar. The landlord,
who was the banker, merchant and mag
iStrate of the place, followed them with
no sign of recognition or his face.
well, gentlemen-" he began.
What, you don't know u.s." said
Danton.
"Despard!' he finally calculated, after
staring at them for some moments.
Exactly. and in trouble. See here,
Marvin, we're in a bad box, and we've
got TO leave the country"
"How is that?"
Close the door and we will tell you.
The landlord did so. and DeSpard began
speaking in a rapid, confidential tone.
His words Indicated that in the past the
now presumably respectable landlord of
the tavern had been a man as unprinci-
pied and criminal as himself
He narrated his recent adventures,
and informed Marvin that he must shell
ter them for day or two, and then pro-
vide them with horses to leave the
country.
Its lucky YOU were disguised when
you came in here" said Marvin. "for the
nh
your helping the ModocS in the attack
on the wagon train.
Despard Scowled aud looked disturbed.
"Well, well. he said, impatiently:
"can you stow Us away in a place Of
safety?'
"GeS
"Nhere?"
There's room yonder that no one
can get to except through here"
But if the vigilantes knew we were
here and should search for uS?n
There's trap in the floor leading TO
the cellar and thence t. the stables.
How are the vigilantes going to know it?"
because we have many enemies on
our trail. and will undoubtedly be closely
pursued Bring us something to eat
and drink, will yon? We are nearly
famished."
Despard and Danton retired to the
room beyond the one they were in.
Were safe enough here" remarked
the latter with a complacont glance at
their comfortable surroundings.
Despard surveyed the apartment crit
ically.
Not if Ranger Ralph and that Young
scout Grey trace lis, " replied De>pard
"Where does this door lead too"
To the outside hall. suppose. But
its boted heavily on this side "
Il III going 10 see
Despard was some time operating the
bolt. which apparently had not been
used for years. He finally slid il back
in its socket ana opened il cautiously
1t led, as Danton had suggested, to a
hall that ran from the upper 10 the rear
portion OF the house.
neSVard seemed determined to under
stand his surroundings, and To be pre-
pared for an escape under all contin
gencieS- He stepped into the hall,
which was in complete darkness, and
closed the door after him He saw that
to attempt TO leave by the rear of the
house would be folly if the place was
surrounded. He cautiously assembled the
stair a few steps.
If ii comes to the worst we can re-
treat he muttered "Ha. What was
that?"
Distinctly from the hall above he
caught the sound OF voices He thrilled
wildly as he recognized them, for they
were those of IneZ and White Fawn
Return II the room" the latter was
.aying.
But every moment We delay is fatal
with that man in the house.
The Black Crow can not know that
we are here" responded the Indian
maiden.
He will >oon learn OF IL. Let us tiy
And be pursued and oyertaken by
him? No, we are safer here. Return
TO the room. and will find cut our true
peril.
Then see the landlady.' urged Inez.
If she will provide Us with horses we
will leave at once
BE il so. ! will return Soon
The eyes Of the outlaw chief cleaned
triamphantiy. The fugitives he had
abandoned Is efectually escaped were
under the same roof He must devise a
plan 70 secure Inez and the diamonds a.
CuCe.
The Mudoc princess was about 10 de-
sCend the stairs. She must not discover
him yet Despard silently retreated and
cautiously re-entered the room where