Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1895-08-23
ADeal5ViIdLan@S
--OR, TILE
Fight for the MlSSGlSlGl millions.
by LEON LEWIS.
CHAPTER xv.-(ContInued)

"NnaU is the UlIn uINluS dV' w
mandcd Baker.
"Why, he has learned from Jerry |
Skidder or 0 herwi that the title 10
the MusSelshell bonanza is In MISS
Tower and myself, as you have long
been aware, and he is determined 10
force Ms 10 a transaction of some sort
that will leave him and his prospective
father-in law in pcs eSsion. Ten TO enc
he will not scruple at any cost to get us
out of his path.
"You have your deeds with yOu?"
ayes, and fortunately Gaddlers alton
tion has OF been directed to theIn"
"That's good" commented Baker vi
we can only get clear of this place be-
tween now and morning, we'll place
them on record during the next for y
eight h ,urs, and thus put barrier In
tho way of thl, murdcrous plOtter
Where is Jerry and Da' a'sy all this tlme?"
%They've gone home 10 protect them
sci es from Hiram Skdder, who, with
his son and daughter, came West on the
very train taken by his brother. They re
having high old sQuabblo over the
wild lands which ha G slipped tn ou9h
their fingers but just which one OF tncm
IS the most dangerous for us it would be
ndrQ 10 CcUcTUllDC. HI oui nus 6OHN w
tho mine. o. i'm that direction, but
think Jerry and hs m will keep him
at distance. If we can get out OF here
we NAV vet become masters of the situa-
tion. You must have made friends with
some one in the house, Charley"
"Yes-wth that wOI al you sec hover
inc about-Mrs. Cotter, who has been
Gaddlcrs housekeepor e;er since he
took rosses sion of these premises. She
will befrend us in cry way she can.
"Well, how are we to get out OF this
box?" asked erry, looking around in
tently "Can you suggest anything?"
Eyes. First of all, Iatience. No doubt
supper VII b. sent up to US, and alter
that VIC may look for Nisit from Cad
dler. If he shows up here without an
escort we must haze some very serious
dealings with him"
@And if he remains away?" suggested
Mrs. Rankle
"In that case," replied Baker, "Mrs
Cotter may be able to give us hint for
our guidan @. At tho worst, let us be
hopeful and patient
The silence that succeeded was broken
by Baker, who said to Perry:
"You arc armed, of cOurse?"
-,
son that I have offered no resistance.
"You'vc had no chance, l suppoSe?"
"Not the least Calder has had six
or eight men on guard over us ever since
we reached Custer, so that we could do
no less than conform to his orders.
Have you a revolver?"
ayes, but no ammunition.
81 can supply you, if your caiber IS
the same as mine"
The question was soon decided favor
ably, and then Baker remarked:
"That's point gained If we don't
get clear of these rutfians before day
light shall be greatly mistaken.
The idea of es ape gathered new
strength in the hcIrts of the prisoners
every moment, as they continued thelf
condolences and consultations, and in
the course of few minutes had become
their one hope and thought
They did not neglect, however, TO &c
amp'e Justice 10 sOlii rcpast that was
pla ed before them, in due course, by q
couple of Gaadler's mnn
The only drawback to the feast wa
the forced eclipse of Charley Baker, wh(
was obliged to beat retreat to closet
and to rerain there until the with
drawa of the enemy, but he found ina
his friends had quietly rut aside ample
supplies for hi II.
The shades of night succeeded to twl
light, but lights were duly furnished INT
prisoners at the suggestion OF Mrs; COt
ter. who found occasion to pass a'fev
moments with them and give thom-sCm
information.
"Mr. GaddIer is very much elated'Wltl
his success in CAPTURING you, She re
ported, "and is treating all OF his mel
so literally that they are in q fair wa.
to become as drunk as fiddlers. lie hlm
self is drinking like a fish with one o.
two of his favOriteS, bat he can stand VI
under a cargo that would swamp al
ordinary man-excuse the simile, III.
late husband was a ipmaster-and !
would be rash to count upon his taking
aboard ore than he can carry.
She listeled moment to the voices
the guards on the staircas,, and re
sumed:
awe must not think Of going untl
quite late, when these men wi be help
less or asleep, but in the meantime ther,
is great deal to do, and you can de
pend upon me to do it"
A few questions were asked and an
swerCd making plain the SlVuaIioh' ah
Mrs. Cotter vani i ed.
Tho wait that succeeded, as mlgn
have been expected, lroved very Ion
one.
The prisoners had even begun to hav
some apprehensiOns fer the success o
their plans, when they heard the heav
and uncertain footsteps Of Gaddler az
proaching their door.
He was in condition which the wid
ow of the shipmaster would have doubt
less described as "three sheets in tn
wind"
aWhat! still up?" he cried, wit
maudin gravity, staring from one t
another as he entered and cosed tn
door, placing his back against it.
@As you see," replied Ferry, pushin
chair toward the villain. ave ar
waiting patiently to have a few word
with YOU"
The visitor sank into the proffere
char. his glances continuing to wande
around him
"What do you want?" he asked.
This young gentleman will tell you,
was Perry's answer.
At that moment Gaddler felt the col
mulzle of a revolver against his fore
head:
Half turning, he saw Baker.
What! you alive and here?" gaspe
the ruff an, Quaking with terror.
"As you. sce," was the answer. IN
moi e, now-.1iot the least movement