The Savannah morning news., 1901-11-10
BY HARRY BAXTER MASON.
CHAPTER ",

loghouse, they were so frightened they
did not seem able to realize what had
happened. The gags in their mouths
hurt them a good deal and they would
have cried could they have done so.
But they couldn't, and the only thing
they could do was TO take a look at
their captors and their new prison.
They found themselves in one rather
large room, the walls of which were
bare except for decorations of evil
locking guns, swords, knives and pis-
tolls. In one corner sat an ugly old
nag. her hair snow white, her face COW
cred with wrinkles and her only four
teeth so large and sticking out so far
over her lips that Willie thought she
looked like a walrus and his tusks.
Standing on the other side of the
room were four of the wickedest-look-
ing men you could find in any part of
the world. Bushy boards covered their
faces; their hair was uncut and I'M
ccmbed, and their evil eyes peeped out
like the blue-bird's eggs in punches of
grass. They were talking very earnest
ly and every now and then would point
TO the boys, who were lying close to
the fireplace, in which were burning
three big logs.
From the scraps of conversation the
boys overheard they soon learned that
they had dropped from the sky into a
nest of thieves.
Guess them kids can't do us no
HARM" finally said one whom the 9TH
ers called Hank.
Mop" said another I'VE nights
well cut 'em loose and see what they
are"
Get 'em up" said the one called
Hank.
With that the other man pulled a
long knife from his belt and with a
few slashes freed the boys, who arose
and stretched themselves. Willie's
heart was going pit-a-pat, but Woo
had been through many such things
before. He could easily have pressed
the button and made his escape, but
he whispered to the other boy that he
wanted to have some fun with the
thieves before starting back for Tree
town.
How do you do, my good men," said
ne as politely as though he were speak
ing to four kings.
We amt good men, we're bad men.
and don't you forget it," said Hank,
NAAt OLAlCGo CuuChlGu as l0Ou2n
they thought the remark very comical.
But what be you kids dom here at
this time o. night?"
Just dropped in to pay you a little
visit. We thought you might be a trifle
lonesome"
we amt lonesome. and we don't
want no kids cuttin' up round here"
Say, Hank" said one of the robbers,
see If they've got any money. We
mi oh all ia A.
we takes 'em out and browns 'em in
tn pond
Willie trembled again, but Woo act
ed as though being drowned were an
everyday occurrence.
Suppose" said he, that we have
any money, you certainly wouldn't be
so mean as to take it from us?"
Haw! haw! haw!" laughed the
thieves. Listen Z tn kid. That's fun
ny enough to make an old COW laugh.
No, sonny. O. course we wouldn't take
all the thieves once more let out great
outlaws and laughed so hard they had
to hold their stomachs.
III you've got any cash you jest shell
out" said Hank when he had finished
laughing, COR by tn eternal, we'll slice
your giblets," and he drew his long
knife across his neck to show how he
,Woulu zeal with the youngsters II he
didn't get what he wanted.
Willie's heart sank, but he still saw
the merry twinkle in the eyes of Woo.
who said he had no money, but that
his comrades father would be sure to
send some If the men would let them
go home.
The thieves haw-hawed once more at
this remark and with one rush grabbed
the boys and went rapidly through
their pockets. There was a howl of
rage when the pockets were found to
be empty.
Then the men held another meeting
on the other side of the room and when
they turned came at the prisoners with
long. us-looking knives. The
old bag had left her corner and came
nearer the better to witness the throat
cutting operation.
Hold on" said Woo, raising his
hand, at which the men stopped. You
want money, do you not?'
I'VE do. but you amt got none and
we're goin' t cut you into chunks. At
'em boys" and Hank started for them.
zone minute, please" said Woo
again, while Willie almost crawled in
10 the fire in his frantic efforts to es-
cape death. I'VE can get all the money
you want. Hank, hold out your
hand"
he mans right hand carried the
knife. but he held out his left and a
leather bag filed with juggling coins
dropped into it. Hank was so aston
ished he dropped his knife and stared
at the bag. Then he jingled it.
ut must be gold" he said in an
awestruck voice.
His trembling fingers united the
string and turning the bag upside
down he poured at least a quart of
glittering pennies on the table. AS
the coins struck the wood they looked
exactly like gold pieces and the four
thieves and the old woman made a
dive for them. The men began fight
ing each other for the supposed gold
pieces and a good many hard knocks
were given all around. Then one of
them yelled:
Them amt gold pieces, only cents,
kill tn kids"
Woo still held the men at bay.
wait" said he. TRY it again. Hold
out your hand. Hank"
The robber chief (for such he was)
held out his immense paw. Woo
pressed the button. and there came
a stream of bright silver dollars, which
overlooked and fell juggling to the
floor, where the men and the woman
began a lively scramble. While they
were on their knees grasping for the
money, Woo caused a regular shower
of silver dollars TO fall.
The heavy coins struck them on their
heads, and although the wicked men
swore frightfully, they never for the
second stopped picking up the gilt
tering coins, which by this time were
inches deep on the floor. Willie and
n