The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1900-09-01


a few miles north of this place more
dead than alive. The case is most ur.
gent. Several women are in peril al
the hands of the Dallon gang"
"pray step this way Mr. Ives" wa.
the courteous request, and seats were
given them, while q messenger was
dispatched to rouse Colonel Byng, the
commandant. They had not long to
wait. The mere mention of the Dal.
lon gang, rs Ben Gallup had surmised
was enough, and the orderly returned
almost Immediately to say they were to
proceed to tn" colOnei's quarters.
They found that officer just finishing
his breakfast. and after the necessary
Introduction Chester proceeded to tel
his thrilling story, which was punctur
ed with sundry EXPLANATIONS of "IIa!
and "Son' from the attentive soldier.
well, Mr.. Ives" he said as the for.
mer ceased, pulling his gray mustache
strictly speaking, this is no affair fol
the military arm; it's a job for the
sheriff. But I'll take the responsibility
and do the explaining aftcrward. Can
you guide us to the mouth of tho
caveE'
"Im afraid not, sir" was the reply
1--WE were blindfoldcd after leaving
the cars. and l made my exit by to,
tally different route, rs YOU see" hc
ended, rUrfuily looking down at hia
shJpulcS' garments.
Il presume your water tunnel is not
available as a base OF attack:'
81 should say not" replied Ives,
'eycn if could fad the mouth of il
again, which l doubt"
"Do You know the locality?" Colonel
Byng inquired, turning to Gallup, who
sat silently chewing Il straw all this
while.
Like u pictur' book" was the la
comic reply. 'Why, | was one O the
last men to drive a pick in Bone
gulch"
''Then you're the man we want"
was the clinching answer. "How many
men shall you need, Crosby"
"Scuse me, Cunnel Byng," broke in
Gallup, "them fellers won't be caught
asleep-not by no means. They must
be took unawares. You'll want two
squads at least"
"How many are in the gang?" inquir-
ed the lieutenant of Ives.
Not over 20, | should say. But let
me beg you to act quickly. Think of
those poor women in the clutches of
such miscreants.'
'Rely upon it, Mr.. Ives, all shall be
done that can be done, and that imme-
diatcly. You viii accompany the troops,
| preSumc!'
''Most assurcdly" was the reply.
"Thon in that case permit me to offer
YOU mount, and while the men are
falling in You may as well refresh
yourself. From what you say there is
ample time. 'Ts not vet - o'clock
The two watchers will not begin to eX-
poet your friend Filley for three or
four hours yet and in any event they
could not be back in Bone gulch before
sunset, as they said. So your people
are safe till then or even till tomorrow
morning. Dallon wants the money
more than anything else, and he won't
proceed to eXtremities until he is con-
WINGED there is no hope of getting the
ranSoln."
81 trust it may be as you say" said
Ives.
In less than an hour there rode forth
a little company of mounted troopers,
seasoned fighters all of them, number
ing exactly 20, under the command of
Lieutenant Crosby. BY his side on eli
Their hand rode Chester Ives and Ben
Gallup, the former much refreshed aft
er bath and n brush down. Thus, it
will be seen, the expedition numbered
just % men.
All that day the little force rode
southwark over the hot and dusty Col
orado trail, treadinG their tortuous
path among the foothills, piloted by
Ben Gallup. At sunset they were less
than two miles from Bone gulch. ac-
cording to Ben, but as it was then too
late to think of attacking that night
the expedition proceeded to bivouac.
No fires were liindlGd for fear of be-
traying their presence to any of Jim
DaliOu's picketS.