Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1895-09-02

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, capl | almost forgot about
1t, but they've got some good spirits in
that tent wagon, and we must have a
drop before we 60"
us that SO, Bill?" responded the
leader.
Needn't take my word for it, cap"
replied the spy. "llere, young fell
low" he ordered, turning to AL, "go
and bring out that bottle of brandy.
I'll mako it all right with uncle,
you know" And while Al went into
the tent with the lantern the man,
with great glce, told his mates how he
secured a ride with the boys by mals-
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 perhap, 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 daring idea flashed into
his mind
Reaching the box containing the
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 | 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 a good shake and came
out with it in his hand. Here it is"
he said, in as quiet a manner as he
could command, as he banded 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-
tion and Bills joke to notice the agi-
tation which Al found impossible to
conceal. He tremblcd 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 a 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 rightw said Al, now anxious to
detain them. 'rheres plenty of it,
and it will be all the better for the In
lians if you drink it instead of them"
Going back into the tent he opened
a case of whisky, and, after polSing
about as long as he deemed safe, with
the robbers shouting to him to hurry
up and not keep them waiting he
with half u dozen bottles in
MS 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
Ill, 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 |
lime you come home from market with |
L bag of gold in your pocket, beware of |
strangers, especially chaps like my
nan Bill, here, who want to ride out
n the country to their uncles'."
AT this they all roared with laugh |
Ter, and, putting spurs to their horses,
lashed out of sight in the darkness.
Al gave shout of delight when once
The robbers were out of hearing, and |
est he lose track of them in |
he darkness and give them time to re-
'over from the effects of the laudanum,
le hastily explained to the other boys |
what he had done, and mounting four
If the best horses, they rode swiftly in
he direction the robbers had taken.
mile away, the PROSTATE
orm OF one of the band was found |
tretched across the road, and little
arther on their horses grazed in a
sroup by the wayside, while the high
vaymen, wrapped in deathlile sleep,
ay curled up under the trees. The
Boys bound the sleepers' hands and
eet; then, returning to camp, they I'M
oaded one of the wagons and, hitch
ng team to it, came back along the
Dad and picked up the unconscious
obbers. 1t was hard work getting
ome Of the heavy fellows into the
wagon, but AL was afraid the lauda-
lum might prove fatal; and leaving
Truman and August to look after the
amp, he and Frank drove with al
peed back to the landing. They
topped several times at Watering
'laces and dashed cold water over the
aces of their prisoners, and when, at
'reak of day, they arrived at the
anding, all had gained consciousness
Their friends at the settlement were
much alarmed when the bovs foilad to