Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1895-07-18

how hazardous, 20 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 plumber 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: a
"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 60"
SIS that so, Bill?'' responded the
leader. .......,.. ....
Needn't take my word for it, cap,
replied the spy. "Here, young fell
low" he ordered, turning to AL, Ego
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 ride with the boys by max
ing them believe the trader was his
uncle.
No sooner did the fellow mention 1t
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 a daring idea flashed into
his mind.
spirits, medicines, ETC., he searched
among the bottles, while the highway
men were laughing uproariously at the
narrative of the spy. Bottle after bot
tie he snatched up and held to the
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 l find it, won't you?"
he shouted back, and, quickly empty
ing the contents of the vial into the
brandy bottle, he replaced the cork,
gave the bottle good shake and came
out with it in his hand. Here it is"
he said, in as quiet manner as he
could command, as he handed it to the
spy.
The woods rang with laughter as the
| bottle went from mouth to mouth, and
each robber drank to the health of
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 the
bottle against tree.
Your uncle keeps pretty good
liquor, Bill" he laughed, "only don't
just like the flavor. Say, young fellow,
bring us out few bottles to take along
with us, and we'll be off"
'All rightp said AL, now anxious to
detain them. "rhere's plenty of it,
and it will be all the better for the In
dams 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, he
emerged with half a dozen bottles in
his arms. .........
''Bully boy!" shouted the chief, de-
lighted at the prospect of plenty OF
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 bit of advice. The next
time you come home from market with
a bag of gold in your pocket, beware of
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, they rode swiftly in
the direction the robbers had taken.
Scarcely a mile away, the PROSTATE
form of one of the band was found
stretched across the road, and a little
farther on their horses grazed in
group by the wayside, while the high
waymen, wrapped in deathlike 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. 1t was hard work getting
some of the heavy fellows into the
wagon, but AL was afraid the lauda-
mum might prove fatal; and leaving
Truman and August to look after the
camp, he and Frank drove with all