The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-10-03
ADeal5VildLandS
-
Or, Tm-~
Flght for The MQSeklGl Millions
BY LEON LEWIS
CHAPTER xv-fContinued.)

manded Baker.
aWhy, he has learned from Jerry
Skidder OF otherwise that the title to
the Musselshell bonanza IS In Miss
bower and myself, as you have long
been aware, and he Is determined to
torce Us to o transaction Of some sort
That will leave him and his prospective
tather-in-law in possession. Ten to one
be will not scruple at any cost to get US
out Of his path"
~You have your deeds with your"
sYes, and fortunately Gaddler's atten-
ton has not been directed to them.
That's good commented Baker sn
we can only get clear Of this place be-
tween now and morning, We'll place
ihen on record during the next for y
eight hours, and thus put barrier In
The way Of this murderous plotter.
Where is Jerry and Daisy all this timer"
They've gone home to protect them
selves from Hiram Skidder, who, with
his son and daughter, came West on the
very train taken by his brother. They're
having q high old squsbble over the
wild lands which have slipped through
their fingers, but Just which one OF them
Is the most DANGEROUS for Us 1t would be
hard to determine. Hiram has gone to
the mine, or In that direction, but
think Jerry and his men will keep him
st q distance. II we can get out Of here,
we may yet become masters Of the situa-
ton. You must have made friends with
some one in the house, Charley9"
aYes-with that woman you see hover
ing about-Mrs- Cotter, who has been
Gaddler's housekeeper ever since he
took possession Of these premises. She
wtll befriend US in every way she can"
sWell, how are we to get out Of this
box?" asked Perry, looking around in
tently. aCan you suggest anything?'
Eyes First Of all, patience. No doubt
supper will be sent up to Us, and efter
that we may look for visit from Cad
dler II he shows up here without an
escort we must have some very serious
dealings with him. ="
@And If he remains sway?" suggested
Mrs Rankle.
.In that case,D replied Baker, "Mrs
Cotter may be able to give US hint for
our guidance. At the worst, let US be
hopeful and patient ...
The silence that succeeded was broken
by Baker, who said to Perry:
sYou are armed, Of course?" =.
~Yes . replied Wynans, "for the rea-
non that have offered no resistance
sYou've had no chance, I suppose?"
<Not the least Gaddlef has had six
or eight men on guard over Us ever since
we reached Custer, 50 that we could do
no less than conform to his orders
Have you revolver" :.
sYes, but no ammunition
Il can supply you, If your cslibeF Is
the same as mine"
The question was soon decided favor
ably, and then Baker remarked:
@That's point gained. II we donT
get clear of these rufians before day.
light shall be greatly mistaken"
The idea Of escape gathered new
strength in the hearts Of the prisoners
every moment, as they continued their
condolences and consultations, and IN
the course Of few minutes had become
their one hope and thought .a
They did not neglect however, TO- 90
ample justice to solid repast that WIS
placed before them, In due course. BY
couple of Gsddler's men.
The only drawback to the feast was
the forced eclipse Of Charley Baker, who
was obliged to beat a retreat to q closet
and to remain there until the with
drawal Of the enemy, but he found that
his friends had quietly put aside ample
supplies for him ..' 80. s''.
The shades Of night succeeded to twf
light, but lights were duly furnished the
prisoners at the suggestion Of Mrs Cot
fer, who found occasion to pass few
moments with them and give them some
Information.
sMr. Gaddler is very much elated with
his success in capturing you" she re-
ported, send Is treating all of his men
so literally that they are in fair way
10 become as drunk as fiddlers He him
self Is drinking like fish with one or
two of his favorites, but he can stand up
under q cargo that would swamp an
ordinary men-excuse the smile, my
late husband was shipmaster-and 1t
would be rash to count upon his taking
aboard more than he can carry"
She listened q moment to the voices Of
the guards on the staircase, and re-
sumed:
@We must not think Of going until
quite late, when these men will be help
less or asleep, but in the meantime there
Is great deal to do, and you can de-
pend upon me to do it."
e. A few questions were asked and an
swered, making plain the situation, and
Mrs. Cotter vanished.
The wait that succeeded, as might
have been expected, proved e very long
Cne. i'''.
The prisoners had even begun to have
some apprehensions for the success Of
. their plans, when they heard the heavy
and uncertain footsteps OF Gaddler ap-
preaching their door.
He was in a condition which the Wild
ow of the sh!pmaster would have doubt
less described as @three sheets In the
wind.n
aWhat! still up?" he cried, with
maudlin gravity, staring from one to
another, as he entered and closed the
door, placing his back against it.
.~As you see," replied Perry, pushing
q chair toward the villain. sWe are
waiting patiently to have few words
with you"
The visitor sank into the prof3ered
CHI r, his glances continuing to wander
around him.
~What 90 you wsnt?" he asked.
~This young gentleman will tell you.
was Perry's answer.
At that moment Gaddler felt the cold
muzzle Of q revolver against his fore
head.
Half turning, he saw Baker.
~What! you alive and here?" gasped
the ruffian, quaking with terror.
@As you see," was the answer. @No
noise, now-not the least movement!
You are our prisoner, and Mr. Wynans
will bind you'll"
The measure was soon taken.
well even gag you. il you are un.