Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-09-12

lions In the way. But after d cou-
pie of hours of this sort of tramping
he was completely beaten. His thin
city shoes were worn to shreds and
every step was acute torture. AS the
first pale streaks of lemon colorcd glow
appeared in the east he sank by the
way, his back against rock and pant
ing from exhaustion. He intended on
ly to rest for few moments, but ia
tigue gained the upper hand, and he
soon sank into an uneasy sleep, from
which he was awakened by lusty
shouts and the cracking of a whip
Opening his leaden eyes, he found
the day all abroad and discovered that
the uproar proceeded from teamster
who was standing up in the shafts of
his wagon yelling like one possessed
and swapping his heavy whip in order
to attract the attention of the sleeper.
Thought I'd fetch you," was the
drivers first salutation. Couldn't
leave the team, you see, so I had to
holler. What's the matter, man? Look
as though you'd been through an ore
crusher!''
Chester hobbled down the rock in
numbered bank, a sorry spectacle In
deed. A gentleman tramp" would
have seemed Beau Brummel by COM
parison.
"How fur are we from Denver% was
his first inquiry.
Matter O 80 miles or SO. Want to
git thar? Jump up then!' was the
CHEEKY invitation. So Ives clambered
up on the off side of the shafts, and
Immediately the heavy springless ore
wagon went creaking and crashing
along the rough road.
In few brief sentences Chester ac-
quainted him with the strange hap
penings of the past SO hours.
"Gee whiz!" whistled the teamster.
''That's Jim Dallon's gang, sure 'nuf!
See here, podner, there's $4,000 re-
ward out for jim! This'll be his last
ride, reckon! What you goin to dor
Get help as quickly as possible" re-
turned Ives. You know the country
and It's customs; advise mo. If those
women are rescued alive and unharm.
ed. I'll answer for 1t that John Draper
will put another $4,000 on ta, Of the
governors reward to the man that does
it"
"You don't say! Well, faint none O.
my bizness, but guess I'll have to &c
you" was the matter of fact response.
"What do you s'pose that clerk O. his'll
dof Has lie got gumptioni"
EYES," replied Chester, "he's got
gumption enough, but don't trust him
or the gang. You see, there may be
some difficulty about getting the mon
ey. Fifty thousand dollars is large
amount, and the bank may hesitate
and SO cause delay. Then what hap
pens7 The two escorts get tired OF
afraid, conclude they have been fooled
and ride back to camp. In which
event 1 believe Dallsn will be us good
as his word-he'll murder them OF
worse"
Like as not,' was the not very
cheering response. During this colo
guy they were making slow but sure
progress toward the city, but to Ives
the pace was tantalizingly tedious
Ben Gallup. the teamster aforesaid, ut
tered not word for three or four min
i utes. Then. with mighty crack Of
his whip, he exclaimed:
by hockey, that's tho dodgei Ged
dap, you lazy devilsI" And. standing
up on the shafts, he urged his team
with voice and whip until they broke
Into a trot which doubled their speed
Then he condescended to speak.
"Don't know US they'll interfere. bu
you'd better try
who, man, who7 For Gods SAX
be more explicit!" sputtered Ives.
/ "Over yonder piece, at Littleton,
said Gallup, pointing toward the north
west with his whip. THERE'S an oil
military camp there Fort Denver
used to be called. They're the lads 70
you II they'll do the Job. s'pose 1t be
longs to the sheriff by rights, but IT.
take too long. He'd be all day getti
ready and swearin out his warrant
and habbus corpses for Jack Doe an
Dick Roe. A dose O. cold lead is til
best medicine for them fellers, an
then you can rest them afterwards"
"Fort Denver, you say2 querie
Chester, all on fire with impatienc
''Then drive. man, drive, us you 10y
your own wife and daughters"
"Can you ride hossback?" querie
Gallup.
eyes; of course" was the quick r
ply.
"Then hold on a minute" So sayln
he drove the wagon to the side of ii
road. jumped down and began to III
harness the team, Ives helping wit
nervous haste, quickly divining tt
honest fellows Intention. Rapid
knotting the traces and the lines, the
each sprang astride an animal an
started down the road at hard gallo
the dust rising In clouds behind then
> On they went for couple Of miles, ar
then there doomed up right ahead IL
trim white walls and the black mu
zles Of the two howitzers belonging ,
the little army post A couple of SCI
tries patrolled in front of the guar
house and looked with wondering ey,
on the strange outfit scampering pas
II wish to speak with your cor
manding officer" said Ives. "Be goc
enough to hand him my card and Sc
tbs a matter of life and death!"
Eyes, and it'll be wuss'n death IL
amt pritty durn lively" muttered Be
Then as the orderly turned away
called after him: "Tell the cap'n Da
Ion gangs broke loose ag'in. They,
stole railroad .trainl Guess that
fetch him." he chuckled.
In less than GO seconds appeared tt
officer of the day, Lieutenant Crosb
holding between thumb and forcing
] the limp and water soaked piece
pasteboard which Ives had sent In.
"This is Mr.. Ives, presume"
said, addressing the New Yorker al
: 1oolr}pO with po1}ta oroovnynap% ut ,