Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-01-14

border ruffians. They had evidently
joined The train to enjoy it's protection,
ana IN return defiantly refused to afford
1t any of theirs. To compel them to
stand guard and assist in the various
other duties would be to bring on fight,
ana $ the trainmen wished to avoid
LII the Tour men were driven away it
would only be after they killed some
one, and the train would then be so
crippled IN strength that it might fall a
prey to the first rowing band Of Indians
encountered.
For two or three days all hands had
been expecting to meet with a force of
redskins who would attempt to block
the way, but to their great surprise the
country seemed entirely clear Of them
They were gathered, as the reader
knows, to attack the party coming
across from Brule City.
When the train halted for dinner the
four men we have referred to drew off
by themselves and held an earnest con-
versat1on as they broke their fast.
1T isn't over twenty-five miles to the
Hills from this" said one, land if we
are to do anything it must be done to-
night.
Glow many wagons do we want.
! Bob?" asked a second
"Only one. We want the best wagon
| snd the best team
and that's Brown's,' said third.
'Justwhat was going to say" added
the fourth
Il had already settled on that" OBJ
served Bob, who was evidently the
leader of the gang. First, because it's
the best outfit; and second, because |
went revenge on the whole family"
''They don't like us any too we'll
chuclzled one of the men.
81 reckon not, and now's our chance
to get even. We want to fix that wagon
in about two hours from this. It's about
four hours haul to the south fork of the
Cheyenne. and that's where the train
will camp tonight"
"What about Brown" asked one of
the men.
Bob drew his finger across his throat,
And the old woman?'
Bob repeated his gesture.
And the gal?'
Il want the gal spared" he replied.
"Mebbe l shall turn her loose after
awhile. and mebbe | shall trade her off
to some Indian chief for dozen ponies.
I'm told that the big chiefs are paying
fancy prices for white gals this sum-
mer."
At this there was loud laugh from
the four and when it had subsidized Bob
sesumed:
Yes, that gal must be considered my
property. and don't you fellows get up
any kick about it. Well make square
divide on the gold. but1eep your hands
off the gall
Have you got plan?" whispered one
of the men rs he saw that a number of
the trainmen were suspiciously regard
ing the group.
Leave that to me. You fellows just
go on about your business and be on
hand when wanted. If the plan I've got
miscarries, I'll let you know in time to
try something else
After halt of an hour the train moved
on. 1t was fair travelling now, and the
sight of the mountains in the distance
and the thought of the gold to be OBJ
tanned put every one in fine spirits and
created desire to push on as rapidly as
possible. Six miles from the south fork
there was halt, and a scout went for
ward to select route for the wagons
over bad piece of ground. The four
renegades nodded to each other but
while three Of them rode forward and
officiously offered their services to the
captain, Bob made his way to Browns
wagon, which was the last in the line.
Its occupants were on the seat in front,
I'll interested in what was going on
ahead, and in three minutes the rene
gade had removed the linchpins from
both hind wheels of the heavy wagon.
The ''prairie schooners," as the big wag-
ons of that date were called, had these
pins in the place of burrs, now so gener-
ally used.
A quarter of an hour later, as the
wagons started forward, the wheels had
made only few turns when both rolled
away and the rear end of the wagon
came down with a crash. By this time
the leading wagon was half mile in
advance.
Very careless of you, Brown, not to
look your wagon over occasionally"
said the captain as he halted the train
and rode back to ascertain the cause of
delay.
81 did look it over at noon and every
thing was all right" replied Brown.
We'll those pins dropped out some
where within quarter of mile. and
the thing is to find 'em."
Half dozen men walked back over
the trail for hundred rods, but with
out avail. Then each wagner was
asked for spare pins, but none could be
had. More than one had an extra set, |
but their nearness to gold had brought |
forth selfish spirit
II may want them myself" each one
and each one denied that it was
in his power to accommodate.
Another and closer search was made,