The Forrest City times., 1895-09-13
FORREST CITY, ARK, FRIDAY AFTERNOON, SEPTEMBER I:

Sif Nht trap he tkau uuopusClOuSty sprung turned completely over, and threw. him into a large, well-lighted cellar below. Before Ae could rise some seven or eight men had seized him, and. amid storm of oaths and threats. bound him hand and foot. de- spite his strenuous struggles.
 You foolsi' cried Bond, exasporated beyond measure, ''let me tell you tho game Is up, My men surround the place, and the little joke will only make matters a great deal worse for you. You'd better"
 Joker repeated one of the coiners, with fierce laugh. Well, we'll sec. What say you, boys? What says our oath?"
 Death to the trap who bowls us outw answered burly. villainous looking fellow. Surrounded we may be, but what of that? Haven't we means for getting away through the burrow at the first alarm?"
 Aye, but not if we stand chucking precious minutes away in empty talk" interrupted another of the gang. Quick, pals! Here is an end to our snug little business, and SO let's make an end of this interfering sneak before we cut. The traps outside may smell rat if he doesn't soon give 'em the cue"
 Without another word one of the coiners stepped up to the prostrate officer and, with a savage exclamation. slipped the moose of rope over Bonds head and drew 1t uncomfortably tight round his neck. Another of the des- perate crew at once threw the other end of the rope over one of the beams wh ich supported the flooring above. The detective now recognized to the full extent the really serious nature of his position; and, half dazed by the terrible calamity which had so sudden ly befallen him, was giving ur all hope of escape, when for the first tiae the leader of the gang-Michael Vaughan himself spoke.
 Leave him to me, lads, and get you along while you may. There's not a jiffy to lose. Hark! hear the trapsl They're breaking in already"
 We don't go until we've choked the life out of the rat who's put 'em on our trail Run him up sharp and have him pleasant surprise to his friends" replied one of the ruffians. With these words the unfortunate officer was jerked off his feet, but at the same moment Vaughan snatched up formidable knife and at a single stroke severed the rope above his head
 "Pm with you, Mir. Bond" ejacu- lated Vaughan, with grim determine tior stamped upon his white face Aha! see how my mutinous crew sink back from your bulldog! And, by all that's lucky for us both, here comes your men. Another minutes delay and l reckon it would have gone bit hard for US both"
 Almost before he had finished speak ing the long cellarlike room became 1 for short space a scene of desperate struggling. the walls echoing chorus | of savage cries and shouts.
 Of all the members of the gang their leader alone offered no resistance, but lapsed into moody silence. Only when the opportunity offered did he whisper in the detectives ear:
 You see, haven't forgotten what I once promised, sir, although you have only a smasher's word for it. Perhaps you didn't know it, but l reckon you had the life of my little Jess in your hands that night year ago, and may be you'll agree now that I've paid a fair price for it. As for me-but there, we're on even terms once more. ."-Lon- don Tid Bits