Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1895-08-16
ADeaI66WiId Lands.
OR, THE
FIGHT for The MlSSGlShGl Millions
=
by LEON LEwIs.
CHATTER XII.-fContInued.,

The driver mounted his box again,
and pulled away into darkness and
solitude that was o most phenomenal,
soon leaving the river far behind him.
quarter OF an hour later, in deep,
narrow ravine, the travellers suddenly
encountered a tree which had been
felled across the road in such way as
to prevent their passage.
"What does this mean?" asked Perry,
noting the nature of the obstructive.
ait means that the stage was held up
here day or two ago." replied the
driver, "and that no one has cared to
take the trouble of cutting away that
tree. We shall have to go around it."
"Push on, then.
1t was easier said than done, the car
riage having to back score of yards be-
fore it could get out of the ravine, but
at length, after great deal of swearing
and flourishing Of his lantern, the driver
got clear of the difficulty, and drew out
into curve almost at right angles with
his previous one.
At the end of another quarter OF an
hour the travellers found themselves in
the midst of a group of armed men who
had taken possession of an open space in
kindled q huge fire, around which thcy
were gathered.
"Why do you stop here, driver?" asked
Perry, as the carriage came to hait
because We are not G ing any farther
in this direction, was the answer
@Your name is Perry Wynans, is it not?"
"What has that to do with our Jour
ney?" asked Perry, after moments
hesitation.
"a great deal, sir Are you not Mr..
Wynans.
81 am, if the matter concerns yOu,"
answered Perry in a tone of annoyance.
81 was sure | could not be mistaken"
declared the driver "YOu camo West
on the same train with Jerry Skidder
and his brother"
This remark, under the circumstances,
was in the highest degree suggestive.
"What has a this to do with our jour-
ney to Musselshell?" asked rerrJ, look
ing out anxiousy urOn the evil looking
faces by which the carriage was now
surrounded.
"a great deal, Mr.. Wynans, answered
the driver. "Let me come to the point.
You are Perry Wynans, and this young
lady is Elie Tower, the cousin of Daisy
ChIUNCE. AFN t'ihN gbu 1iT Ou yOUA
way to tho mines you bought some
= years ago of Hiram Skidder and Charles
Tower.
"Wellp" querled Perry, impatiently.
"Well," avowed the driver, pushing
ba k his hat from his forehead and un-
buttonin2 his coat, "yOu arc not on your
way to Mussclshell but you have fallen
into the hands of a man who has the
best of reasons for holding fast to you
Permit me to introduce myself, as you
have doubtless heard of me. My name
is Sam Gaddler, at your Seri G."
The villain inclined himself with mock
pOiteness, appearing to en- oy the sup
pressed scream OF terror which came
/ from Mrs. Rankle, the breathess stare
of Elfe and the violent start of Perry.
an a word, Mr.. Wynans," added the
jubilant potter, 81 have been informed
by telegraph of your proposed advent
into our midst, and have taken my meas
urcs accordingly. You aud Miss Tower,
with the old woman, are now my pris-
OnerS
"What are your intentions?" de-
mandcd Porry after brief but painful
silence.
"My intentions are to take you to Sc
cure place have in readiness, answered
\ Gadder, "and these men will bear us
Acompany, taking care that you do not
f Make your escape. This is all need to
Nv at present. We shall go into camp
rest and sleep in the morning, and
4 then give you further information.
urning to bis men he added;
"Fall in, boys. Well get under way"
No time was lost in complying with
this order, and in another minute the
carriage had resumed progress, with
new driven on the box and half dozen
armed ruffians on horseback around it.
We need not say what were the feel
ings of the travellers They realized that
they were in q terrible situation.