The Coconino weekly sun., 1895-07-18

how hazardous, to retrieve that repu tation for shrewdness and sagacity that had won for him this position of trust and responsibility, to which all the other young men in the settlement had aspired- But the robbers were we'll armed, and far too cautious to allow their victims any visible chance to turn the tables upon them. When they had secured as much plundeg as they thought safe to burden their horses with and swung themselves into their saddles, AIS wrath and despair knew no bounds. He stood before the tent covered wagon, with the lantern in his hand, watching the robbers as they mounted, when the spy suddenly called out to the leader:
 ''Oh, say, cap! almost forgot about it, but they've got some good spirits in that tent wagon, and we must have a drop before we go."
 ''Is that so, BillY responded the leader.
 Needn't take my word for it, cap, replied the spy. "Here, young fel. low," he ordered, turning to Al, "go and bring out that bottle of brandy. I'll make it all right with uncle, you know" And while Al went into the tent with the lantern the man, with great glee, told his mates how he secured a ride with the boys by mak. ing them believe the trader was his uncle
 No sooner did the fellow mention it than Al started for the brandy, his first thought being that perhaps if he could find enough liquor the robbers would make themselves hopelessly drunk as soon as they reached their own camp; but while clambering into the wagon Il daring idea flashed into his mind.
 Reaching the box containing tho spirits, medicines, etc, he searched among the bottles, while the highway, men were laughing uproariously at th1 narrative of the spy. Bottle after bot. tie he snatched up and held to thd light of the lantern.
 Come! Come! Don't be all night in there!" shouted one of the robbers.
 Just then Al found what he wanted "a small vial labeled: "Laudanum."
 Wait till I find it, won't you?' he shouted back, and, quickly empty ing the contents of the vial into tn; brandy bottle, he replaced the cork, gave the bottle good shake and cama out with it in his hand. ''Here it is, !" he said, in as quiet manner as he could command, as he handed it to tho spy.
 The woods rang with laughter as tho bottle went from mouth to mouth, and each robber drank to the health o. Bills uncle. All were in too good humor. over the success of the expedi- ton and Bills joke to notice the agi' tation which Al found impossible to conceal. He trembled lest Bills pota. tions during the afternoon had drained the bottle so low that it would be emp. ty before it reached the leader, who was the last to drink.
 There was enough to go round, how ever, and when the robber chief had swallowed the last drop he dashed tho bottle against tree.
 
 liquor, Bill" he laughed, ''only don'' just like the flavor. Say, young fellow, bring us out few bottles to take along with us, and we'll be off.
 "All rightr' said Al, now anxious ta detain them. There's plenty of it, and it will be all the better for the In dians if you drink it instead of them. '
 Going back into the tent he opened case of whisky, and, after poking about as long as he deemed safe, with the robbers shouting to him to hurry up and not keep them waiting, ho emerged with half dozen bottles in his arms
 Fully boy!" shouted the chief, de. lighted at the prospect of plenty ei liquor for some time to come. You know how to treat gentlemen, after all, if you were little grabbed at first. And now" he went on, as he and his men slowed the bottles away in their bundles, ''since you're so clever I'll give you a bit of advice. The next time you come home from market with bag of gold in your pocket, beware oi strangers, especially chaps like my man Bill. here, who want to ride out in the country to their uncles'."
 At this they all roared with laugh. ter, and, putting spurs to their horses, dashed out of sight in the darkness.
 Al gave shout of delight when once the robbers were out of hearing, and lest he lose track of them in the darkness and give them time to re- cover from the effects of the laudanum. he hastily explained to the other boys what he had done, and mounting four of the best horses, Aey rode swiftly in the direction the robbers had taken. Scarcely a mile away, the prostrate form of one of the band was found stretched across the road, and little farther on their horses grazed in a group by the wayside, while the high waymen, wrapped in deathlibe sleep, lay curled up under the trees. The boys bound the sleepers' hands and feet; then, returning to camp, they un- loaded one of the wagons and, hitch ing team to it, came back along the road and picked up the unconscious robbers. It was hard work getting some of the heavy fellows into the xyonnr h,,f Al 1yoc af, bo lon5o.