The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1895-07-20


starsed up the bluF "a kiii some par
tridges, while the boys fred camp an.
cooked supper. The boys waited som,
time after supper was done, and then
as IL was getting qpite dark. the,
squatted about the fire and began eat
ing. expecting every moment to Sc,
the stranger walk into the camp. Blu
no stranger came, and the boys begal
TO grow uneasy. Thinking be had per
haps lost bis way, they buit ) hug,
IRE and shouted loudly, but their ovvs
voices. echoing from the hillsides, alon,
answered.
The Younger boys became frightened
as they remembered their first sus
PIGEONS, but Al, although q great dresi
had sprung mp in his own bosom
laughed to scorn the fears OF his com
psnions, and Set about stretching q big
canva over his wagon as usual. weight
ing 1t down on all sides with rocks, and
forming . snug tent for their beds
which they spread on the ground be
tween the wheels Of the vehicle.
Treasured by his confident manner,
the tired boys were soon sleeping
soundly, when Al slipped quietly out
of bed and paced silently up and
down the road. Not a sound could be
heard save the champing of the horses
at their feed boxes; and after untying
a sack of horse feed and showing the
money down among the oats as far as
he could reach, he tied up the sack
again and crept back to bed, but not
10 sleep. Several farmers had been
robbed in the vicinity Of Smoky Hollow
that autumn, and the more Al thought
Of it the more he became convinced
that his passenger was a spy acting
for the band that committed these
crimes. He lay awake for hours. No
sound but the hootings of owls broke
the stiffness, and he was just falling
into a doze when the rush and clatter
of a troop of hard-riding horsemen
came to his ears.
Boys! boys!" he whispered, as he
shook his sleepy companions. "Wake
up! quick; Somebody is coming, and
I'm afraid it's robbers. Now, mind
what 1 tell you," he continued. as the
lads sat up and stared at him by
the light of the lantern. THAT scamp
was spying, sure enough. Hear them
coming? But don't you get scared.
I've hidden the money, and if we keep
our wits about us we can stand them
of in some way"
~ -1n. lid -a1 .aa1--
by several pistol shots, rang
through the woods, and half a dozen
dashed into the camp and sur
rounded the wagon tent just as the
boys came stumbling out
Throw mp your hands!" ordered the
IS he and one of his men, easily
as APs passenger, covered
them with their pistols while the other
four dismounted and began searching
the other boys for money.
Locke here now, my young
friends!" shouted the leader, when the
men reported the result of their
''our time is precious, and we
amt the kind of men to be fooled
with, so the sooner you hand over that
yold the better it will be for you!"
"What gold are you talking about?
We haven't a dollar in our pockets, not
,ne of u.s." boldly answered Al, who
lid not know the spy had seen him re-
the money.
THAT may be-" replied the robber,
but if you haven't got it in your
it's hid about your wagons
somewhere. There's no use of your
to bluff me. My man here saw
get the money and watched to see
hat you did not spend it, so just fork
{ over, and be lively about it; do you
lear?"
Al heard all too plainly.
'.If that sneaking blackguard knows
where there's any gold, let him find
e." he answered, holly.
''l1l do that in a hurry, cap" replied
he man, who vas about to throw him
elf off his horse when the leader
him.
Keep to your horse, Bill" he or
lered. You're sure they had the
money when they left the landing?"
"As sure as 1 sit on this horse" an
wered the spy. THAT Teller there,
he tall one, had it in his pocket in a
,uckskin bag"
"Do you hear that, youngster?" said
he chief, turning upon AL 'Now
we're here after that gold, and, what's
more, we're going to have it. VIII you
and it over ormust I make you do ito"
Al hesitated. He knew he had des-
crate men to deal with, but was de-
ermined not to yield until obliged to.
Look here" Numbered the rufian
eader, e~xasperated by the lads stub
'ornness, 1--WE fooled away all the
ime I'm going to with you, young fell
DIV. Do you see that horse there?"
ointing his pistol at one of the teams.
Well, I'll give you just one minute
0 hand over that gold, or down goes
hat horse; and if that don't con-
ince you, I'll down the next, and
be next, and every hoof you've got.
nd if that don't fetch the money" he
dded, with a fierce oath, "Tn take a
hot at you!"
Al saw the fellow meant what he
aid, and. as further resistance would
ave been foolishness, he united the
ack of oats and handed the money to
be robber, who, after counting it. put
he purse in his pocket
"All right, boys!n he called out
And now, my young friends, when