Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1900-04-14

from talking to them. But he felt oblig-
cd to go on, and blurtcd out In dcspera-
ton that sounded almost like bravery:
"lt's jest like this, Dick Brayton; we've
found ye out at last, an | reckon ye
won't steal no more bosses round these
diggin's."
What DO you mean?" cried Dick. with
flashing eyes. "Sec here, Mr.. Bill Green,
that may be sharp joke In your opinion,
but it's my opinion that you've gone lit.
tic too fur. don't appreciate such
jokes"
Don't, heyY' said Bill, waxing a triac
more courageous as the men crowded
around him. "Wall, I dunno as wonder
much. s'posc 1t amt any laughin' mat
ter"
II don't know what you mcan." said
Dick. But I do know this. Neither you
nor any one else can call me horse thief
and not get hurt"
II dunno about that" said Bill, feeling
tolcrably safe as he looked at the four
men beside him. II want jokin', an
you know II as well rs | do, l reckon. l
meant jest what I said. 'Tain't no kind
o use In yer tfyin' to play of. see you
write that mess o stuff on the Of cotton.
wood tree, an we've found out what
most of 1t stood for now"
IF you say you saw me make mark
on the cottonwood tree, You lic," cried
Dick He did not stop 10 consider the
lack Of politcncss In the words. but said
just what he meant.
| whats that?" cried Bill, really aston.
ishcd Mt Dicks cffrontcry In denying the
charge. "DO you have the brass to say
you didn't write that stuff on the tree
when tell ye that foll'cd yc that night
an was hid behind some bushes, an see
you to work at the tree, scratchin'
matches to sec to do It by, an went an
read II nrter you had gone? DO you deny
1t when l tell &c all that, heyy'
II do deny just that" answered Dick,
beginning to understand that there was
trouble In store. you may have follow.
cd me to the tree. don't deny that
went there. But that you saw mo write
n word or make mark on that tree 1
do deny. That's all there IL about that,
Bill Green. And IL you say I did, you're
a liar:'
.Now sec here" said Bill, after taking
u look to see that his hackers were ready
for action In case Of emergency. "Tain't
no kind o. use fer &c to play up inner.
cent an think YER soin' to git of by
brassin' II out. I know what sec. II
you hadn't nOthin' to do with stealth
hosscs, what was sc there fer, Id like
tn knOwI"
Il went there because I took the notion
into my head to do So" answered Dick.
I'm other words, It's none Of your bust.
ness what was there for"
We'll make 1t some of our business
aforc we git thru with yc," said Bill,
grimly. Don't yc forgit that, Dick
lrayton! An that amt all, nuthcr
We've found the jackknifc ye lost when
sc cut Of Deacon Snydcr's halter strap
Likely story bout yer goin' down blow,
want Il! We amt SO gol.durned green
We can't tell boss thief"
What the remainder OF the sentence
was to bc no one will ever know. Bill,
cloqucncc was cut short by sledgc-ham
mcr blow between the eyes, and he tum
blcd over into mud puddle In most sum
mary and limp fashion.
Grab him.. fcllcrs." cried one Of tn,
men, "an' le quick about It, or hell Civ,
us the slip!'
One Of them sprang at Dick, who wa,
entirely unprcparcd for the general ut
tack which followed.
The first man hc flung aside. The 9th
crs ut that instant caught him about tn,
body and by the arms, ind In spite Of hi
desperate efforts to get loose, he was sooi
ovcrpOwcred. Ono OF the men had
stout cord tied about his waist. This b.
wound about Dicks wrists, while tn
others held him.
Dick was their prisoner.
I'D like 10 know what you mean b.
this" hc cried, with blazing eyes. "Ail
but you're a brave lot! Five to one
Unite my hands. and I'll fight all Of you
You towards! Wait I'll l get loose, an,
Ill make IL warm for yOu"'
Eyes. walt till you get loose" respond
cd ono of them. mcaningly.
See here. men, said Dick, trying Z,
smother his wrath sufficiently to gain
knowledge of the situation. DO you pre-
tend to say that you take mo for
. horse thief!"
I'VE do So" answered the man VIII
lad tied the rope around his wrists. ~
see yer found out"
whats found out!'"
whats the use o. askin' sich foolisi
questions! You know Jest as well a
We do. We've found out the truth, an
that's what's found out. You've had you
fun. an now l reckon we're a.goin' I
hcv Our'n."
Dick felt himself turning pale.
lie began to realize ut last that thcr
was no Joke" about 1t.
Bill had struggled to his feet by thi
time, and was wiping OF the mud an
blood with which his facc was prctt
#, well covered.
"Cuss ye, Dick Braytonr' hc cried
shaking his fist In Dicks face. all his cv
passions aroused and showing themsclve
, In his sinister eyes. "You've struck yC
. last blow. gOl durn 20! Ef didn't kno,
they'd hang yc. l yum Id pummcl til
life out o go"
"rry It." said Dick. contemptuOusi,
"My hnnds are tied. You're safe"
o Tho men Withdrew to a little distauC
aud held Il hurried consultation.
II was decided to take the prisoner {
Mr.. POrtcr's.
+, IN M coutinucIl