Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-11-04

II asked no question, my friend" said
Balshannon. w never question a
guest"
You make me ashamed, sch. 1 came
with a passed. of lies to prospect around
with a view to doing you dirt"
B%alshannon chuckled, and / saw by the
CLINT In his eye that he was enjoying this
robber. "You'll dine with me?" said he.
Capt. McCalmont looked up sharp to
see what game the Patrone was playing.
You will notice, Captain" said my
boss, that my house is like a deadfall
trap. Indeed-ah, yes-only one door,
eh?'
A servant had brought the brandy, and
McCalmont rubbed a little on his sons
face, then poured a few drops between
his teeth. Presently the lad stirred,
moaning a little.
Let's take him to the house, said
mo. Mistah Chalkeye Davies" an
swered' the robber, mot until this gem
tleman knows who he's asking to dinner.
Here, Curly" he whispered, wake up,
bo'."
The lad opened his eyes, clear blue like
the sky, and smiled at his father. Air
you safe, dad?' he whispered.
Sure safe"
Curly closed his eyes and lay peaceful.
The hold-up was squatting back on his
heels, looking out across the desert.
Lord Balshannon," said he, II had a
warning sent to Sheriff Bryant that / was
coming down to lite all yo' hawses. My
wolves tracked Bryant's rider to Lords
burg, where he wired to you. You came
running, and had all you hawses round
ed up convenient for me in the table
yard of this house. l thank you, seh."
MY good man, I'll bet you an even
thousand dollars said the Patrone, that
you don't lift a hoof of my-haw- re-
muda."
IT'S a sporting offer, and tempts me
hard" the outlaw. "Oblige
me by taking my gun from the ground
here and firing three shots in the air"
The Patrone took the gun, and at his
third shot l saw a man ride out from
behind the bastion on our right. Nc
Calmont waved to him, and he came
pulling his hat down over his face as he
rode, then halted in front of US, shy
as a wolf.
Young man." said McCalmont. please
repeat to these gentlemen here the whole
of yo' awdehs TO the day. Leave out the
names of the men,"
You're giving us dead awayi' said the
rider, threatening McCalmont with his
revolver. YOU mean that?"
81 mean what / say"
"Ah!-eXcuse me, McCalmont," said
the P%atrone, your -er-pistol, l think
Thanks, seh." McCalmont accepted
the gun. Repeat the awders!" he said.
These gentlemen are our friends"
We'll, you knows best" came the sur
ly voice behind the hat. Three men to
cover your approach to Holy Cross, and
II there's trouble to shoot Balshannon
and Chalkeye at sight. They're covered
now. The wall of the stable court by the
southwest bastion to be mined with dyn-
amite and touched off at 10 D. m. prompt.
Ten riders to get In through the breach
In the wall and drive out the bunch Of
horses. One man with an ak to split all
the saddles in the harness-room the
join the herders."
Leave out. said McCalmont, "all de-
tail for pointing. swinging and driving
the herd. Go on"
AT one minute to 10. before the wall
is blown away. 10 riders are to make a
BLUM at attacking the main gate and
keep on amusing the garrison until the
men with the naptha cans have fired the
private house. Rendezvous for all hands
at Laguna by midnight, where we catch
remounts. and sleep until daybreak, with
a night herd of two and one camp guard.
At dawn We begin to gather cattle, while
the horse wrangler and two men drive the
remuda east. Rendezvous at Wolf Gap
And how about poor old Bryans's
posse OF men?" asked Balshannon,
"Sherfn Bryant" says the captain,
allows that he's to catch us In a fine
trap. five miles due west Of Lordsburg.
And now." he called to the mounted rob-
Der. tell the boys that all awders are
Cancelled, that I'm dining tonight at Holy
Crawss, and that the boys will wait for
me at the place We fixed in case Of acci-
dents"
The man rode of. hostile and growl-
ing aloud. while Balshannon stood watch.
ing to see which way he went.
"McCalmont," he said, and I took note
OF Just one small culver in his voice
may / venture to ask one question? YOU
seem to know the arrangement OF M
house-its military weakness. How die
you learn that?"
The outlaw stood up facing him and
took from the breast OF his shirt a fold.
ed paper. Balshannon and / spread Il
open and found a carefully drawn plar
OF Holy Cross. At the foot OF the pape
there was a memorandum signed "Georg,
Ryan"
II may tell you.'' said the robber. 'that
II l succeeded in burning yo' home, steal
ing yo' hawsess and running yo' cattle
Mr.. George Ryan proposed to pay m,
wolves the sum of $40, 1000"
Garry out your plans" said the Pa,
trone. I'D love to fight your wolves
I've got some dynamite. too. Think o
What you lose!'
Lose nothing!' said the robber. 'Tl
collect $50. 900 compensation from Ryan,
He stopped down and gathered his Sol
In his arms. And now will you nave u
for guests in yo' homer"
Balshannon lifted his hat and made
little bow. much polite.
My house." he answered in Spanish
lis yours enor."-[Roger Pocock in Blac
and White.