The St. Johns herald., 1896-10-31
took man like me Inter your conti dence. Idon't see it yet /"

NOT could he understand another thing
 which was evident. After the first shock
 of resistance the major had exhibited
 none of the indignation of a betrayed
 man, but actually seemed to accept the
 situation with calmness that his cap
 tor lacked His voice was quite unemo-
 tional as he said:
 ''And how are you going to get me
 away from here?"
 That's my lookout and needn t trou-
 ble you, major, but seeing as how con
 fidential you've been to me don't mind tellin you. Last night that posse of mine that you 'skunked, you know,
 halted at the crossroads till them sojers went by. They had only to see them to know that I had got away. They'll hang round the crossroads till they see my signal on top of the ridge, and then they'll make another show agen that pass. Your men will have their hands full, I reckon, without huntin for you or noticin the three men of mine that will come along this ridge where the sojers come yesterday-to help me get you down in the same way. You see, major, your little trap ill that gully ain't in this fight. We're the other side of it. ain't much of soldier, but 1 reckon I've got you there, and it's all owing to- you. ain't, :" he added gloom fly, ''takin much pride ia it myself. "
 ''I shouldn't think you would. said the major. "And look herel I'll double that offer made you just now. Set me down just as I am on the deck of some coasting vessel, and I'll pay you S4, 900. You may have all the glory of having captured me here and of mak- ing your word good before your posse. But you can arrange afterward on the way to let me give you the slip some- where near Sacramento.
 The sheriff's face actually brighten ed. ''Thanks for that, major. was gettin little sick of my share in this job; but, by God, you've put some sand in me. Well, then, there ain't gold enough in all Californy to make me let you go. You hear me? So drop that. I've took you and took yell remain un- til I land you in Sacramento sail. l don't want to kill you, though your life's forfeit dozen times over, and I reckon you don't care for it either way, but if you try any tricks on me may have to maim you to make you come along conf able and easy. I ain't ham, kerin arter that either, but come you shall"
 "Give your signal and have an end of this, ,' said the major curtly.
 The sheriff looked at him again cu- riously. '1 never had my hands in an- other mans pockets before, major, but reckon I'll have to take your derrin- gers from yours. :" He slipped his hand into the majors waistcoat and secured the weapons. 'I'll have to trouble you for your sash. too," he said, unwinding the knitted silken girdle from the cap- tive's waist. "You won't want it. You ain't walkin, and it'll come in handy to me just now.
 He bent over, and passing it across the majors breast with more gentleness and solicitude than he had yet shown secured him ill an easy sitting posture against the tree. Then after carefully irving the knots and straps that held ais prisoner he turned and lightly bound ed up the hill.
 He was absent scarcely ten minutes, yet when he returned the majors eyes were half closed But not his lips. eff l you expect to hold me until your posse comes, you had better take me to some ess exposed position, he said dryly.
 There's man just crossed the gully coming into the brush below in the Yood.'
 "None of your tricks, major"
 ''Look for yourself.
 The sheriff glanced quickly below | Jim. A man with an ax on his shoulder | ,ould be seen plainly making his way through the underbrush not a hundred | Tards away. The sheriff instantly clap ,ed his hand upon his captive's mouth, put at look from his eyes took it away Igain.
 "I see," he said grimly. "You don't want to lure that man within reach of my revolver by callin to him. "
 'I could have called him while you were away, ' returned the major quietly.
 The sheriff, with a darkened face, oosened the sash that bound his pris- 'ner to the tree, and then lifting him Il his arms began to ascend the hill cautiously, dipping into the heavier hadows. But the ascent was difficult, he load heavy one, and the sheriff vas agile rather than muscular. After few minutes climbing he was forced o pause and rest his burden at the foot if tree But the valley and the man n the underbrush were no longer in jew.
 Come" said the major quietly, 'unstrap my ankles, and I'll walk up We'll never get there at this rate. ''
 The sheriff paused, wiped his grimy ace with his grimier blouse and stood ooking at his prisoner. Then he said lowly:
 Look yerl Wot's yer little game? Blessed if kin follow suit.
 For the first time the major burst in- o a rage. "Blast it all! Don't you see hat if I'm discovered herein this not man in the Bar who would believe that walked into your rap-not man, by God, who wouldn't hink it was trick of yours and mine ogether. '
 "Or, interrupted the sheriff, slowly king his eyes on his prisoner, "not nan who would ever trust Major Over tone for a leader again"
 Perhaps, said the major unmov- dly again. ''I don't think either of us would ever get chance of being trust