The Advocate and news., 1898-12-21

abundance.
"I tell you, Brooks" he said, IL
wouldn't take $40, 900 cash this night
for my chance Of making twice that
sum within the year. Buffstick turns
everything he touches into gold.
wonder If Barclay knows these
mines" said De Lancy reflectively, flip
ping the ashes from the end of his
cigar "He has never opened his head
about his mines to a soul We don't
know where they are "
~ don't know" said Lawrence
briefly. Even yet the mention Of Bar
clay chafed him bit II know this,
though, that that company wouldn't
offer me any such salary as SO, 500 a
year just to boss their men unless there
was big money in it somewhere. IL is
the first time l ever knew what it was
to be Indifferent to the coming of the
paymaster. BY the way, he ought to be
here day after tomorrow, or tomorrow
night in fact. It's long after 10 now.
The escorts were warned as we came
along"
II think 1t mistake, " said Brooks
gravely, "to let any one know before
hand when the paymaster is to start.
That Friday gang probably musters 100
by this time. It's where all our thieves
and deserters 60. haven't q doubt
your old sergeant has joined them by
this time, Lawrence. believe that's
where Marsden's gone, and that we'll
hear from them in force again before
we're a month older. They've kept
reasonably quiet all winter, but June
isn't far off. I'm blessed if l would
want to make that trip from San An
tonic with $40, 900 in greenbacks with
less than a big troop of cavalry to
guard it,"
"He's got more money than that this
time" said Lawrence. "Most of these
men have four months pay due them,
so have the cavalry along the route. He
has two other posts to pay Hello" ne
cried, breaking suddenly of, whats
all the light about down at the sutler'sG
Here comes the sergeant Of the guard.
Running diagonally across the parade,
the moonlight glinting on his buttons
and acCouterments, an infantry nom
commissioned officer was speeding TO-
ward the quarters Of Captain Blythe,
near the upper end of the row, but,
catching sight of the group at the
majors, he suddenly swerved and came
straight toward them.
"What is it, sergeantP" asked two or
three voices at once.
II was looking for the officer Of tho
day, sir. Is lie here?"
Cover at his quarters, probably.
What's amiss?"
"There's two Of Fuller's men in, sir,
from Crockett-just about played out
They swear that not an hour after sun
set the whole Friday gang-it couldn't
have been anything else--Came a-ridiDg
out from the foothills over toward the
Wild Rose and kept ON to the southeast.
They saw the dust against the sky and
hid in the rocks away of to the east OF
the trail, and they swear there must
have been 90 of 'em at least. J."
He had hardly time to finish the
words when the sutler himself came
galloping over the parade, shot foot"
on his wiry mustang and drew up in
front of the gate. "Has the sergeant
told your" he asked breathlessly. Its
Reed and his partner, two Of the best
men on my ranch, and they can't be
mistaken. You know what it must
mean, gentlemen. The gang is after the
paymaster, and think Colonel Frazier
should know at once" No wonder Ful.
ler was breathIess, bareheaded and only
half dressed. Anywhere from $50, 600
to $40, 900 might be diverted from it's
proper and legitimate use il that Friday
gang should OverpOwer the guard and
get away with it. His Golfers were filled