The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1898-01-28

often that had to be watched constantly
While slept. AS soon as | showed any
signs of agitation, the watchers would
awaken me: If they had not, my
mind would undoubtedly have given
way under the terrible strain. There is a
care to hear it?''
Of course [ was very mulch Interested
and begged him to 20 on.
The dream l had tonight" he con-
tinued, lis merely the recollection of a
terrible experience / once had. I was
very young at the time-scarcely 10. /
was without any near relative and de-
pendent entirely upon my own resources.
You remember the time when gold was
discovered in Colorado, how people fiocked
there from all parts of the country to
make their fortunes. Well, caught the
fever, too, and taking what little money
| had saved up. went to Denver. There
L remained some time, mingling with min
ers and learning from them all | could
about the gold mines. From several
sources heard that gold had been dis.
Cliff, and l decided to go there, stopping
on my way to Pueblo to buy horse, and
other necessary parts of a miners outfit.
The evening before left Denver /
was sitting in the lobby of my hotel, when
an old gentleman sat down beside me and
entered into conversation. He was a very
pleasant companion, and I took to him
Immediately, telling him my plans and all
about myself. When he learned that ]
nothing about gold mining, he advised me
to return. But was young and hopeful
and, moreover, yearning for adventures of
the sort depicted in the cheap novels had
read, so his advice was thrown away
Finding that l was not to be dissuaded
from my plans, he good-naturedly gave
me a great deal of valuable information
and told me some very interesting stories
of his own personal experiences.
1.-The next morning found me on nv
way to Pueblo. Arriving there, I went
to a hotel and began making inquiries as
to the best way of reaching Silver Cliff
The landlord was very obliging. He as
sisted me in selecting a horse, told me
what l would need on my journey, and
promised to let me know when he heard
of anyone who was going to the same
place. On the third day of my stay he
introduced me to man who intended to
start for Silver Cliff the next morning.
and was willing to take me with him,
This man, who called himself Bill War.
rem, was an evil-looking fellow, but rath-
er than wait longer I decided to accept
him as travelling companion.
Before daylight the next morning the
oSdA wac AAdNC. we udu Ouc uOfSG
each, and these were obliged to serve as
saddle horses and pack horses at the same
time. This made our progress rather
slow. We had ridden some ten or twelve
miles, when I thought heard hoofbeats
behind us. Turning in my saddle l saw
q number of horsemen following us at
full speed. AS they rode they shouted
something that sounded like Haiti l
was about to ask my companion what it
all meant, when saw him suddenly cut
the strap which secured his pack, letting
it fall to the ground. Then, putting spurs
to his horse, he was off like a shot. l
tried to follow him, but was unable 10
keep up. Our pursuers were gaining rap
idly and | now heard them order me to
halt and throw up my hands, threatening
to shoot if did not obey. AS there was
no possible chance to escape for
me, thought best to comply with
their demands. A moment later
they galloped past me, all except the last
two, who refined in their horses, one on
each side Of me. After I had been re-
let my hands fall to my side. CHANGING
at my captors I found them rough, de-
termined looking men, armed to the
teeth and evidently ready to shoot at a
seconds notice. They paid very little at
tentiOn to me, but seemed to watch with
great interest the pursuit of my COM
panion.s ~. ; :.-.:-. @5
:. "All this time / had not the slightest
idea what the. trouble was, and I dared
not ask the men who were guarding me.
supposed that they intended to rob us,
but could not understand why they did
not do so Immediately. ILL.,. 81, s..:. 81 !.
through my mind the band Of pursuers
was raniGlv4 nvnrfa King Warren Az loet