Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1900-05-19
The Swamp Secret


O~~~~cOo~~D~~o~~4o~
creek to make an abrupt turn. Dick fol-
lowed 1t around this point, and as he
came to the open space on the other side
of IL, he found himself face to face in The
dull gray light Of breaking day with half
a dozen men with Bill Green at their
head.
There had been a difference Of opinion
ON reaching the place where the creek
crossed the road, and part of the men
had gone up the creek rs the horse steal
crs had planned for them to do. and
Bills party had started toward the Zig
Swamp, on the correct superstition that
the upstream trail was n dodge 10 throw
them OF the scent.
"They went up there a ways. an then
came back In the water. an a mile or two
to'ards the swamp they'll strike high Ian
an put fer down blow. The want III
keep us a.dodgin' round SOS they can
gain time an git u good start on us
That was Bills argument. and In part
he reasoned correctly. On the strength
of this belief he had come down the
stream, inspecting the banks closely on
either side. hoping TO find where the
horses had been led out OF the water
and driven of toward some of the roads
leading out of the settlement.
That's him-ihat's Dick Brayton.
shouted Bill Green. who had been the
first to recognize the man who appeared
so suddenly before them. We're close
on to the gang now! Shoot him cf he
tries to run
Dick had no idea NJ running.
YOU'RE just In tinc." he said. "l've
discovered the secret of the horse
thieves"
"An' we've jest discovered one on 'cm
q second tinc.' answered Bill. as. with II
desperate courage which he wondered at
even then, and could never account for
aftcrwar,i. he knocked Dicks gun from
his hands and grapplcd with him. In
stantly others Of the party came to his
assistance. and In minute Dick was for
The second time u prisoner.
Don't les give him u chance TO git
away ag'in.' said one Of the men. stirring
him up to this oil tree, an make sure Of
him this time"
"That's the talk" cried Bill Green.
"Ef we go to palaverin' with him some
o the rest o. the gang may come along,
fust we know. an help him III give us the
I hVSs
thieves. III we hadn't awaited fer one
bosses ahead
''Scc here, neighbors," said Dick. at
tempting 10 be calm. II can prove TO you
| that I am as innocent of what has been
laid to mo rs any one OF YOU is
'Du 1t, then. an he spry about IT,
said Bill. I'VE hain't no time to fool
away"
II have just tracked the horse thieves,
with Mr.. BoOne's horses. to the border Of
the Big swamp" said Dick. II was on
my way to Mr.. Boonc's to let him know
what l had found out"
That's II likely story" snccrcd Bill.
"But ! reckon 'twOn't 20 down with us.
What du you think about II, fcllcrsY'
1--WE don't take no stock In IT," respond.
I'd Mr.. Balcomb.
Dicks explanation had fallen like good
seed Oh stony ground.
! Hello. there's Perkins an Specrs."
cried Bill. ns two men appeared on the
opposite side Of the creek. Come acrOst,
boys"
Bill met the men little way from the
group which surrounded Dick. and talked
with them In low tones for II few min
utcs.
"Yc'rc right" Dick heard one of then,
say. Its best to make short work OF II.
Ef OIL Boone or Porter comes along afore
it's done they'll want us to hold on an
give him u chance for trial, an | don't
70 In fer sich dOin's. ! don't. llangin's
what I go In fer, an, go In fer II now"
| MY idcc," said Spccrs, conciscly.
Heres su,hin' tha,'ll ans'er In place OF
suthin' better"
| As he spoke he unwonnd u leather
strap from about his waist. II was five
or six feet long. Men often used these
straps instead of snspenlcrs. tying them
or buckling them sufficiently tighr to keen
their trousers from slipping over their
hips.
Hill took the strap andi came back to
the waiting group.
"lve talked with Specrs an Perkins,
an they amt In favor q waitin'," he
said. 'Whnt dye say, menu Is II
hangY'
"IIgng It H." was the reply from every
man In the party.
FOR Gods sake don't murder u man
In cold blood cried Dick, pile ~ death
II tell you ! am innocent. II you'll tux.
the trouble to search the Big Swamp
you'll lind that I've told you the truth
Search and find ont whether I've been
lying to you before you hang me-"
whats the use % foolm' with him =
cried Perkins. "We're only wastin
words an time"
"Tie his hans" ordcerd xill.
Aud In spite 1T his powerful struggle.
Dicks hands were tied. aud the fata
strap fastened about his neck
"FOr Gods sakc----' he began. but
Perkins had thrown the strap over d
limb, und two or three men had seized
It. ana he felt himself being lifted frou
his feet.
At that instant wild, shrill cry, full OF
mortal terror, rang through the gra,
gloom OF the morning and caused then,
to relax their grasp. Turning In the d.
rcction whence 1t came, they saw Nan
ME and lthoda coming swiftly toward
them, with faces rs white as those of tn,
dead are, making wild gestures for them
to release Dick.
Dicks good angel lad brought them al
the very nick o time. The men let &,
the strap, and his feet touched earth
again.
1T wasn't he" cried Rhoda. painting
for breath. We've found ont-who the
thieves are-and the ringleader'
Wayne"
Then she sank down ON n log and burst
into tears.
WHATS that ye're sayin'y' cried Bill
Don't you go to tryin' to fool us. III
you do"
| "If Wp did | suppose you'd hang MS