West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1899-03-30
CHAPTER XIII.
A LESSON ~ POLrrENESS

A LESSON IL POIrrENESS.
Within fvo minutes we had a biz
surprise, for the sheriff and Mr.. Bald
win came back. and the former an
uounced that Fred and Lord Rallies
we're free, having been released on bail.
When we found that Camp had gone ON
the bond, | knew that there was
scheme Of some sort in the move, aud,
taking Fred aside, warned him against
trying TO recover the prCxiCS.
They probably think that one or Tic
other of You knows whero the letters
are hidden, whispered. "and they'll
keep watch on you, so go slow" "
He nodded and followed the sheriff
and Lord Rallies ont.
The moment thoy were gonc Mr.
Baldwin said. II came back To give
you las; chance "
That's very good Of you. " said.
Il Iwarn you, " he said thrcnteningly,
''wo are not men 10 be beaten. There
are 90 cowboys of mine in this town
who think you were concerned in the
holding up. BY merely tipping them
the wink they'll have you out of this,
and after they've got you outside /
wouldn't give the toss Of "A nickel for
your life. Now, then, will you hand
ever those letters or will you go to -
inside of ten minutes?'
lost my temper in turn. "I'd much
prefer going to some place where l was
less sure of meeting you," retorted,
'and, as for the cowboys, You IL have to
be as tricky with them as you want to
be with me before you II get them 20
back you mp in your dirty work. 4"
AT this point the sheriff called back
TO ask Baldwin If he was coming.
All right. cried Baldwin and went
TO the door. This is the last call, +" he
said, pausing for moment ON the
threshold.
81 hope so, said ], more calmly in
manner than in feeling, have TO &C.
knowledge, for didn't like the hook Of
things. That they were in earnest
felt pretty certain for understood now
why they had let my companions out OF
jail. They didn't care TO risk hanging
more than was necessary.
A long time seemed to pass after they
We're gone, but in reality it wasn't
more than 8 minutes before / heard
some one steal up and softly unlock the
NCCAs NCAAANcS hiiO tNlnbllb tlltltdNNI 10
do it quietly gave me n scare. for il
seemed TO me it couldn't be an above
board movement. Thinking this, l pick
ed mp the box on which / had been sit
ting and prepared to make the best fight
j could. 1t was "a good deal Of relief,
therefore, when the door opened just
wide enough for man to put in his
head, and ] heard the sheriff's voice
Ray softly:
eli, Gordonl"
was at the door in an instant and
asked;
What's up?"
"They' re gettin the boys together aud
sayin that you shot woman in the hold
up"
Its an internal Iie," / said.
Sounds that way TO me-" said the
sheriff, but two-thirds Of the boys are
drunk, and it's long time since they've
had any fun
"Well, >" ! said, as calmly as 1. could,
"are you going to stand by mel"
90 would, Mr.. Gordon" he replied,
''if there was any good, but there amt
time to get posse, and what's one
winchester against mob Of cowboys
like them?'
60 If you'll lend me your gun, ;" / said,
''I'll show just what it is worth with
out troubling you"
'I'll do better than that, " said the
sheriff, "Gnd that's what I'm here for.
Just sneak while there's time"
you mean exclaimed.
That's It, I'm goin away, and I'll
leave the door unlocked If you get
clear, let me know your address, and
later, il i want you, I'll send you
word. lie took a grip on my fingers
that numbed them as IL they had been
caught In an airbrake and disappeared.
slipped out after the sheriff without
loss Of time That there wasn't much
10 spare was shown by crowd with
some torches down the street, collected
In front Of "a saloon. They were making
a good deal Of noise, even for the west.
Evidently the fame was being famed
Not wasting Time struck for the rail
road, because I knew the geography OF
that best, but still more because want