Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1900-02-07
CHAPTER XVII.
CONCLUSION.

Finding n impossible to keep awake
in this position, he arose and paced
slowly up and down in front of the hut.
as he had been accustomed TO do on
shipboard.
He did not see a dark form which
drew nearer each time his back was
turned.
Closer and closer ii crept until il
reached tree at the end of his route
The next time he turned his back to il
he was seized by the throat from be-
hind with a grip which completely shut
off his breath while stern whisper
sounded in bis ear:
make a sound and I'll kill you like Il
dog!"
Obed Rider made no attempt to st:ug-
gle, after tic first involuntary start OF
surprise. T&c cold rim of steel pressed
against his ear was too strong an argu-
ment in addition to the viselike grip OH
his windpipe.
The latter was loosened when he
ceased struggling and the voice whis-
pered:
"Come with me quietly. or it'll be the
worse for you!"
The speaker pushed him along few
yards until he reached a spot where ho
could readily distinguish the outlines
of several men under a tree. AS they
approached the group. his captor said:
Here he is. Now, what shall we dG
with him."
1t was TarboX who stood behind The
prisoner, and he added:
"One of you take away his weapons
Tom Scott sprang to the side of his
old enemy, and to his delight founC
two loaded reyolvers in his belt, which
he secured, giving one to Taylor
Avery had taken the one from hi:
daughter, and Tom found that the car
- tridges in the weapon just secured fit
ted the empty revolver he had found il
the hut.
To slip three of tlrem into it was tht
work of Il moment. Then our friend
found they had four weapons ready foa
use. and determined to lose no time il
recovering their golden treasure.
>'Let's surround the hut" said Tom
eagerly, land call them out They'll
surrender when they find they have NJ
show with us
But Avery advised caution. They r,
desperate men," he said. land they viii
fight when cornered. We don't wan
any bloodshed over this affair if we cal
help il. When daylight comes the.
may be glad to give us the gold to saw
their skins, but if we surprise them il
the dark somebody is likely to &c
killed.
"See here" said TarboX. suddenly
still gripping Riders collar with hi
sinewy hand, why can't this rasca
help us? Send him back. and let hin
get hold of the guns in the hut ant
bring them out. If he tries any crook
ed business I'll put bullet through hin
myself at the first sign"
You hear?' said Taylor. Now b
off, and remember we are six to YOU
three. We already have the horse
safe. and if you serve us well yeu shaI
go free. although you ought to be huns
for what you have done. Go back ant
get all the weapons you can out of tn
hut. Hurry up!
'But Bowers will shoot me in q min
ute if he wakes" whispered Rider, fear
fully.
"Shoot him first, then" was th
prompt response. III shoot you if yo'
act the least bit suspicious. No NOR
talk now Start!"
The muzzle of a revolver poke,
smartly into the small of his back lef
the wretched man no alternative an
he stole away toward the hut, where hi
two confederates were sleeping, hi
heart beating 50 loudly that it seemed
: to him it must arouse them the instan
he reached the threshold. He dared no
pause, however, and as he picked hi
way along through the trees he begal
to realize that the way of the trans
gressor is sometimes not SO rosy as
is painted.
When he reached the door he coul
plainly hear the deep snoring of bot.
men, and. mastering all his courage, h
stepped lightly inside.
In order to reach the rifles in the COZ
ner he was forced to step over the bod.
of Turner, and 1t seemed to the mat
that he lived an hour in the few sec
-ronds so employed.
His hand trembled so that it was wit
Z the utmost difficulty he managed to So
cure the three weapons noiselessly, bu
fortune favored him. With bate