The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1896-10-22


OF resistance the major had exhibited
none OF the indignation Of a BETRAYED
man, but actually seemed 10 accept the
situation with a calmness that his can
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 ard needn I trou-
bic you, major, but seeing as how con
hdential 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 soiers
went by. They had only to see them
TO know that had got away. THEY'LL
hang round the crossroads till they see
my signal on top of the ridge, and then
they II make another show agen that
pass. Your men will have their hands
full, l reckon, without huntin for YOU
or notlcln the three men of mine that
VIII 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 in that gully
amt in this fight We're the other
side of it l amt much of a soldier, but
reckon I've got you there, and it's all
owing toyou. l amt, =" he added gloom
lily, "takin much pride ia it myself. -
Il shouldn't think you would, " said
the major. And look herel I'll double
that offer I made you just now. Set
me down just as l am ON the deck of
some coasting vessel, and I'll pay you
81, 600. You may have all the glory of
having captured me here and of max
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 amt 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 I'M
til | land you in Sacramento sail. |
don't want to kill you, though your
llfe's forfeit dozen times over, and |
reckon you don't care for it either way
but if you try any tricks on me 1 may
have to MAIN you to make you come
along comf'able and easy. l aim han
KERN arter that either, but come you
shall y
give your signal and have an end
of this, I" said the major CURLY.
The sheriff looked at him again Gu
riously. Il never had my hands in an
other mans pockets before, major, but
reckon I'll have to take your derrin-
gers from yours. f" 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
amt 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 in an easy sitting posture
against the tree, Then after carefully
trying the knots and straps that held
his prisoner he turned and lightly bound
4 ed up the hill.
He was absent scarcely ten minutes,
yet when he returned the majors eyes
were half closed. But not his lips. IF
you expect to hold me until your posse
comes, you had better take me to some
less exposed position, he said dryly
There's man just crossed the gully
coming into the brush below in the
wood. "
None of your tricks, major y
Look for yourself. -
The sheriff glanced quickly below
him. A man with an AK on his shoulder
could be seen plainly making his way
through the underbrush not hundred
yards away. The sheriff instantly clap
ped his hand upon his captive's mouth,
but at a look from his eyes took it away
again.
81 see, . he said grimly. "You don I
want to lure that man within reach OF
my revolver by calm to him. -
81 could have called him while you
were away, returned the major quietly.
The sheriff, with a darkened face,
loosened the sash that bound his pris.
oner to the tree, and then lifting him
in his arms began to ascend the hill
cautiously, dipping into the heavier
shadows. But the ascent was difficult,
the load a heavy one, and the sheriff
was agile rather than muscular. After
few minutes climbing he was forced
to pause and rest his burden at the foot
of tree. But the valley and the mar
in the underbrush were no longer il
view.
Come" said the major quietly
''unstrap my ankles, and I'll walk up
Well never get there at this rate.
The sheriff paused. wiped his grim,
face with his grimier blouse and stooC
looking at his prisoner. Then he salt
slowly:
Look yerl Wot's yer little game
Blessed if kin follow suit +"
For the first time the major burst in
to rage. "Blast it all! Don't you Sc
that if I'm discovered herein thi
way-there's not a man in the Bar VIII
would believe that walked into you
trap-not a man, by God, who wouldn'
think it was a trick of yours and min
together. "
cor" interrupted the sheriff, slowl
fixing his eyes ON his prisoner, mot
man who would ever trust Major Oven
stone for leader again.
Perhaps, said the major unmov
eddy again. 81 don't think either of u
would ever get chance of being trust
ed again by any one.
The sheriff still kept his eyes fixed o
his prisoner, his gloomy face CROWN
darker under its CRIME. "That alp
the reason, major. Life and death mea
: much more to you than they do to m
in this yer game. l know that you'd XII
= me quicker nor lightnin if you gat III