The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-18

was tearing across a table or Plateau
which abruptly terminated with three
perpendicular walls. With his gun In
his hand he jumped out OF the wagon
and took up a position behind one OF
the horses, determined to fight for MS
family and his gold. The robber lid
not appear. II occurred to Donald
that, as 1t was getting late n would
soon be dark. the robber had conclud-
ed to bide his time and renew hostil-
titles at the break Of the next day. 1t
was evident that the outlaw knew
much about the lay of the land and
hat the trail broke off at the termn-
alton of the coulee. Donald and his
wife held a whispered consultation.
There was no way out of that place
besides that which brought them there.
To retrace their tract would be in
viting certain death, as the robber was
certainly stationed in a commanding
position near the entrance to the cou-
lee.
There was one way of escape. only
| possible. They YOU wait until dark,
| pack the horses and scale the precip-
itous banks and travel under cover OF
the darkness. Accordingly, n moth
er and three children were placed on
the horses together with the gold ard
provisions enough to last them until
the could return to the camp at 81.
Mary's lake.
Fortune favored them and they were
| soon on the homeward journey over a
route of uncertainty, yet apparently
devoid of danger, viewed in the light
of the experience OF a few hours pre-
| yious. 1t was a night of terrible sus-
| pense, coupled with remorse over the
| loss Of their good friend, Basil. The
| mother and children were
| Donald's brave heart melted when ne
&c.
| of his little girls who. UP to his time.
| had not murmured. 1t was their
sleepy" time. They were hungry and
Their pitfful cries unnerved the brave
| Donald. The ponies were weary ana
progress was slow. Donald knew
| that 1t would be folly to pitch camp
on the high prairie over which they
were travelling. He would turn 10
the light, in the hopes OF hiding a
depression in which he could spread
his blankets for the mother and child
rem and prepare a meal for them. He
was not hungry, nor was he sleepy.
Good Mrs. Gregg was not hungry or
sleepy either. A suitable place was
found. and the children were fed and
put to bed. In a short while mother
and children, completely exhausted.
were u asleep.
Donald was alone with his thoughts.
He would remove h bag Of gold
from the horse and bury 1t. He would
say nothing about 1t to his wife. They
would reach camp at the lake early In
the day, and IL encountered by the
lone bandit. that individual would not
get the gold. IL all turned u all right
he would tell his wife where he buried
the gold and later he would return
and take 4 home.
IN journey was resumed after three
hours rest. The sun was just begin
ming to be respondent in its mornlrs
beauty. when. across n prairie Don.
aid espied a horseman coming towaro
them under full gallop.
Kate. hold the children with a arm
hand and let out rein. See. the ROB-
Der is again pursuing US. Make haste
We have but a few miles to make and
then we will be in CAMP
The race for Ife of the evening De
fore was resumed at daybreak- INT
robber gained steadily upon his prev
The beautiful hills Of ST. Mary Looked
more inviting to Donald than they cle
the morning before. when he ana IN
wife marveled at their ~splendor. Tne,
looked to be hundreds Of miles away
but the home Of yesterday was Jus