Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-11-14
Won BY STRATEGY.
BY MADELYN ELLMS RAWLINGS.

temptation of highway tactics, and con-
ceiving schemes which at first ap-
peared extremely strategic, only to be
cast away on second sober thought
Toward dawn l began to despair of
hitting upon any means of battling
the band should l chance to meet
them.
Suddenly 1 jumped from my bed
electrified. Good! A brilliant thought!
| would go and win out in the face of
all odds! All, how thankful was now
for the school instruction l had pooh
poohed at and shirked! The despised
chemistry had dproven friend, and with
faith in the idea it had revealed to me
l withstood all imploring and prepared
for the journey-contident jubilant.
l got out of town as soon as possible,
for fear the company might change
their mind. l rigged up as near like
a miner as l could and took passage
out of Butte on a local freight
l soon saw that l could not play
the part of miner; everybody spotted
me at once; so l abandoned the detec-
tive role, and upon arrival at the town,
where a branch extends to the mines,
procured rig and boldly drove over.
l was in hopes that if any attempt
had been planned for the capture of
the money the schemerS would look
to the usual route of the paymaster,
the branch line. These hopes, how
ever, did not sustain my courage,
which began to ooZe from me with
every revolution of the wheels. Talk
about a coward dying many Deaths
the immortal poet speaks the truth.
l saw more bandits in that ride than
Hole-in-theWal produced. Every
indistinct object represented desper-
ado; every cracking twig pistol shot.
l scourged myself for my terrors, but
to no avail. With knees shaking,
teeth chattering, l proceeded on my
way, devoutly hopeful that my Heav-
en-sent inspiration wouldn't fail me.
| laiG my terror to reaction from
state of intense mental excitement to
inactive solitude. However that is,
l4u man is ii hero until proven one, nor
a coward, either, and with this com
forting thought l turned my attention
to making speed.
When within few miles of the
mine, | crossed over hill, and saw be-
fore me long decline with a narrow
valley. The road curved around
few foot hills and then stretched boldly
to the mine. Just as | turned the first
hill and curved to the second | was
completely hidden from the road in
both directions. l heard a sharp voice
cry "Halt.'' and drew rein as if by
magic in the face of three shining
revolverS. No need for a second cry.
The horse as well as myself was rigid
as the everlasting hills that environed
us. There stood three of the toughest,
ugliest looking rufiians of their caste.
For Il second my heart beat tune
in churn dasher time. The next, the
the blood trickled back in its natural
channels and rushed madly on its
course. To be waylaid like this!
Trapped like n rat, at the mercy of
these devils! Never had life seemed
more precious. I'd sell it dearly, and
lHc ItNblNcI Cdllitu III
one hand, | made move to aim it.
Suddenly bethinking myself of the
foolhardiness of this play, l said in
as calm voice as | could commando
well, what do you fellows want"
"Want?" said the one with crooked
eyes and vicious leer, 1--WE want the
mine swag. Oh, you're up against the
real thing, young tenderfoot! We
know you've got it, so cough up and
be in n hurry about it,
My plans We're instantly formed.
Il have got the money! l said.
mo use to deny it. You have me foui.
If you fellows will come on one side
of the rig and let me out the other,
I'll hand over my arms and the money
and go to yonder boulder. You can
drive on and be well out of the way by
the time | get to the mine. | warn
you to hurry, for I'll give the alarm as
soon as | can"
They were completely deceived.
wants to save his hide" they said,
and moved with alacrity to one side.
A knowing wink passed the knowl
edge to each that they would humor
me until they had their booty, and
then-well, thank Heaven, l never
knew what was to follow that then"
l gave one my hand revolver, the
next, that from my boot, and to fur
ther infuse confidence gave the third
one from my hip pocket. They laughed
at each delivery, considering this hold
up the greatest picnic of their lives.
"Now for the spondulicks," said he
of the evil eye. "Trot out the coin
quick. We amt got time to visit with
you"
| leaned over at this command as
though reaching for the packet. Each
of the desperadoes was placing the
contraband revolver in his hip pocket
as he grasped his own in a defensive
manner.
i slipped my hand into my breast,