Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-08

/ had come to the camp.
Ordinarily, no special arrangement
would have been necessary. But within
a fortnight there had been two %stoppsges
of trains on the main line by a large and
we'll organized gang of train robbers. and
though there was no hint of the presence
OF the brigands in Gold Hill, we we're dis
posed to be wary. sr
Arrived at the pay car, which stood on
a spur-track at the station, ! found the
superintendent and Mr.. Bossuet, with the
president Of the bank In which the gold
was held. and Blenkinsop. a government
secret service man. holding a conference
over the movement Of the bullion.
You are the very man We have been
waiting for said the superintendent
About this gold shipment. Mr.. Montago'-
indicating the bank president-"favors the
regular train and an armed guard. VIVA;
lie your idea about itT'
my notion IL that secrecy is better
than force. II we can manage IT," l ven
tured. II have been to see the sheriff. and
he says a gaurd Of such deputies as he
could swear In at short notice could not
be relied on"
The government man nodded assent 70
this and the bank president called for my
alternative.
at Is open to certain objections. and II
depends upon Mr.. Bossuet,' / replied. IN
is generally known in the camp hat Gold
Hill is the end of the pay run. and thai
the car goes back from here with no booty
large enough to tempt the robbers II they
are out for the gold shipment. The pay
car will run special in any event; why no
let It run shead Of the regular and carry
the gold?"
h objections materialize at once. l
the robbers were in Gold Hill with spiel
out. the bullion could never be moved from
the bank without their knowing Il. So
said the bank president; and Mr.. Bossuei
demurred because he had his wife and
daughter with him. Even the government
ofhcer thought II would be extra hazardous
and Mr.. Savage capped the climax Of pro
test by saying:
1T can't be done, Graves; 1 was Just
telling Bossuet we'd have 20 put his cal
in the regular train for the run Down e
the junction. We are shy an engineer"
''Bronco Peter" / oueried.
He nodded
He killed another OF Byram's pet Nor
mans. and I had to let him 60"
Here was my opportunity and BrOnehI
Pete's.
Cant you give him another chance, Mr.
s~avageg"
The superintendent thought not. II
would b. subverslve OF all discipline" wa
his wording OF 1t.
Yes. ! know. But he is the man 70
this emergency. Il IL barely possible tina
the undertaking may ask for a good BID o
cold nerve. and I'll back a Tennessee moon
sinner against the worlo for that.
"A what?" said the secret service man
sharply.
laughed n corrected myself. II sal,
'moonshiner.' and l meant 'mountAineer.
Bronco Pete is a Tennesseean."
Blenkinsop drew a notebook from hi
pocket and began to turn the leaves. W
dropped him ou Of the discussion. and b!
dint Of q little special pleading / won N,
point. Mr.. Bossuet withdrew his objection
the bank president admitted that Their
might be one chance in a hundred Of NOV
ing the gold secretly from the bank TO tn
car. and Mr.. Savage sent the porter with
message TO Pete. directing him to repor
at once for duty.
We were all four in the midst Of tn
train time station hustle on the platform
~A%a TIE ssSro cams back with Bronel
Pete In tow. For once the lack-luste
eyes had lost their shiftiness. and the stool
and shunhe were cone.
Il ALLOW I ain't go'n' to forget this, MistaI
Savage" he began. In his soft. SLOW drawl
but the superintendent cut him Of
b~rusquely.
Never MAD that. ] said I'd discharg
you and ! did. But I didn't say I wouldn'
hire you over again. Get the 25s arounI
here and make her up with the pay ca
70 run a. first section Of No. 4. BE liFel
about II; We haven't only time to sell"
Pete cams 70 attention like 4 soldier O.