Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-09-22
illustrations by I. W. Taber.

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that he stood no chance to win Miss
Granniss. It was also more than prob
able that his forgeries could not now
be concealed, thanks to this crazy
western trip. If John Draper got wind
Of these, then he, Reuben 4. F4lley,
was ruined rogue, and he could never
show his face in New York again. With
$4,000 in cold cash he could start
afresh in another country-Australia,
for instance. He would disappear, and
people could put any construction
thereon that they liked. Most proba-
bly, the two robbers would be blamed
for 1t.
Weighing these pros and cons, the
scoundrel felt no compunctons over
the black treachery to the ladies and to
Draper. His sole concern was to se-
cure his own skin and feather bis own
nest at one and the same time. But
not until his fingers closed on the mon
ey in front of the bank window was
his mind fully made up.
The two members Of the gang lay IN
seclusion all that Monday. BY noon
time at furthest they calculated that
Fllley should have returned. But he
came not. Still they fingered, alter
nately drinking and sleeping the after
noon hours away. Night came and
with it the certainty that something
had miscarried or that they were
duped.
With black rage in their hearts they
ordered their horses and as soon as
darkness fell took the trail on the re-
turn to Bone gulch from their bootless
errand. All that night they rode. Dawn
was just breaking when they approach
ed the vicinity Of the robbers retreat.
All unconscious Of danger, they were
riding carelessly, their horses perforce
proceeding at q walk, when out Of the
gloom ahead came the sharp challenge:
"Halt! Who goes there| accompa-
MED by the rattleyof carbines.
"Who the blank are your" was the
defiant response, and this betrayed
them, to which came the quick retort:
Throw up your hands or you're dead
men, emphasized by series Of omi-
nous clicks-sounds too well known by
the marauders to need any repetition
Letting fall the reins on their horses
heads, they elevated their hands on
level with their ears and In this pos
ture made out a squad Of dismounted
cavalrymen drawn up across the trail.
"Dismount:' came the command
from Lieutenant Crosby, and, covered
by the weapons Of the troop, the crest
fallen villains slid out of their saddles
as best they could, whereupon they
were speedily searched, their pistols
confiscated and their arms securely
pinioned.
"Game's up. boys! was the ironical
salutation Of the lieutenant.
"Well. you needn't be 80 blamed chip
per about It." growled Leather Jack.
"'Tain't our fault. Jim just bit of
more'n be cud chew. that's all!'
"See what comes O. trustin tender
foot" remarked Bill Root, expectorat-
ing savagely.
Lieutenant Crosby stood by, regard.
ing their dismay and disgust with grim
amusement.
Il suppose you know what you've
got to expectr' he inquired dryly.
'.This means 20 years at least. We've
got Jim Dallon and the whole lot Of
you just where we want you, and by
this time tomorrow you'll all be in
Arapahoe county jail"
"Wlll we?" sneeringly remarked
Leather Jack. truculent to the last.
Eyes, and you are going to help"
was the lieutenant's confident re
sponse.
"As how" inquired Leather Jack in
the same skeptical tone.
"By showing US the nearest way to
that cave Of yours and thereby earning
communication of sentence for your
selves"
This cast a new light on the subject,
and the two rascals looked inquiringly
at each other. They realized that the
game was up, as Lieutenant Crosby
had said. Better make the best terms
they could while the chance offered. A
few minutes reflection determined
their choice.
Gall right. lieutenant. We're with
you," said Jack nonchalantly. Then:
Better leave them horses here.
They're no good on this trail"
So the troop horses and Mr.. William
Root were left behind with two Of the
cayalrymen as guards. and at the order
to march the men formed In single file,
Leather Jack in front, followed by
Lieutenant Crosby, pistol in hand,
ready to shoot at the first sign OF
treachery. Then came Ben Gallup and
Chester Ives. followed by the rest Of
the troop. In single file they proceed
ed noiselessly down rocky and tortu-
GUS ravine. 1t was not yet bright day
light even on the heights above. Here
in the hollows slight mist added to
the obscurity caused by the faint light.
A more favorable moment for surprise
and attack could not have been found.
In the cave at this hour all was 81
lent. Worn out by the long vigil Of the
night before, during which the retrrn