The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-07-02
He was a very pleasant companion.

AA0 was very Pheasant companion,
and l took to him Immediately, telling
him my plans and all about myself.
When he learned that l had just come
from the East and knew 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-na-
turedly gave me great deal of valu-
able information and told me some
very interesting stories of his own per-
sonal experience.
THE next morning found me on my
way to Pueblo. Arriving there l went
to hotel and began making inquiries
as to the best way of reaching Silver
Cliff. The landlord was very obliging.
He assisted me in selecting a horse,
told me what 1 would need on my
journey, and promised to let me know
when he heard of any one who was
going to the same place. On the third
day of my stay he introduced me to a
man who intended to start for Silver
Cliff the next morning, and was will
ing to take me with him. This man,
who called himself Bill Warren, was an
eVil-looking fellow, bit rather than
wait longer decided to accept him as
travelling companion.
Before daylight the next morning
the start was made. We had only one
horse 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 l
thought I heard hoofbeats behind us.
| Turning in my saddle l saw a number
of horsemen following us at full speed.
AS they rode they shouted something
that sounded like halt" | was about
to ask my companion what It all
meant, when l saw him suddenly cut
the strap which secured his pack, let
ting it fall to the ground. Then, put
ting spurs to his horse he left me far
behind"
"a moment later they galloped past
me, all except the last two, who
reigned in their horses, one on each
side of me. After I had been relieved
of my weapons l was allowed to let
my hands fall to my side. CHANGING at
my captors l found them rough, deter
mined looking men, armed to the teeth
and evidently ready to shoot at a
seconds notice. They paid very little
attention to me but seemed to watch
with great interest the pursuit of my
companion.
All this time I had not the slightest
idea what the trouble was, and l dared
not ask the men who were guarding
me. l supposed that they intended to
rob us, but could not understand why
they did not do so Immediately.
while these thoughts were passing
through my mind the band of pursuers
was rapidly overtaking Warren. At
last the foremost one swung his lasso
round his head and let lily at the fugi-
tive, catching him around the Shout
ders and unhorsing him with a jerk
that seemed enough to break every
bone in his body. Two other men then
dismounted, bound the captive's arms
and dragged him to the nearest tree.
Placing moose around his neck, they
threw the other end of the rope over a
limb, pulled until The victim swung
clear of the ground and left him dang
ling there. He must have been killel,
or at least stunned, by his fall from
the horse, for he hung perfectly mo-
tionless. There was horrible fascina-
ton in the awful sight, and I could
not take my eyes from the swaying
form until l was aroused by the voice
of man on my right. That's right,
sonny he said, take good look at it.
It's the last hanging you'll ever see. "
shuddered at these ominous words,
but mustered up courage enough to ask
what my companion had done to de-
serve such a terrible fate.
ooh! don't try to play innocent"
was the reply, you are both in the
same boat
Before could protest my innocence
the rest of the horsemen rode up.
Your turn next said the leader, grim
ly. If you've any prayers to say, say
EN- damned quick!'
"Speechless with fright, I was
dragged from my horse and led to a
tree near by. AS in a dream l felt
the moose placed around my neck and
saw the end of the lar1ar thrown over
limb A dozen hands grasped it and
waited for a signal from their leader.
Then, at last l found my tongue. For
Gods sage, gentlemen, l implored, tell
me why l am to be murdered. | swear
l have done nothing wrong
Don't waste your breath, you
blamed horsethief,' jeered one of the
crowd. You'll need all you've got be-
fore we get through with YOU"
I'm no horsethief,' cried, 4 swear
to God T hounht that horse in Pueblo