The Washington times., 1904-09-04

outlaws
I'VE will sec what kind Of a treaty
we can make with them I answered
! But first see that you are armed. and
| hold yourself on the defense. for we
may have warm work"
He did as I directed, selecting two
pistols from those he had taken from
the bandits, and placing the other
weapons handy for use.
"Senor," said the chief. addressing
me. you have us in your power. II
/ was a surprise. I assure you that we
are willing to release Don Cortinia- He
is 81 liberty to 60 1 pledge my word OF
/ honor that he may go in safety"
/ But he is not going just now, re-
piled. And when he does go I shall
see to It that it is safe for him TO go.
But first, you have another person in
your custody. Senior Philip Melrose, an
old man. gray headed, and an Ameri-
an"
mo. senor." protested the bandit with
the greatest sincerity. no American.
You can see for yourself that he is not
here"
| I looked at the bandit chief sharply
Not a muscle Of his face moved He
looked me squarely in the eye, with so
honest an expression of cOuntenance,
that had I not known tce Characters
tics of his race I would have been
/ forced. in spite of myself. TO believe
that he was telling me the truth.
We'll. then" I replied. coolly, I'VE
might as well rid the country of the
whole rascaIy lot of you, and the
/ quicker it IS done, and we are of, the
better"
I'VE are in your power" he replied
with resignation.
And you have my terms" said.
| Accept them or the alternative, as you
choose
II can die. senor." he replied.
/ I had him covered with my revolver.
and my finger pressed the trigger. I
thought that he quavered a little. but 1
could not see that his countenance
changed The best Of the band glanced
nervously first at me. and then at him.
| It required only a slight pressure Of
/ my finger to send the mans soul into
eternity, and it would have been 50
easily done. II was an awful moment
that I waited but he did not waver.
| What have you to say2' 1 demanded,
: resolved to give him one more chance.
! IF I find your man?'' he replied. I'VE
know the roads, the passes, every trail
Ours Isl not the only party that lives in
! these mountains"
/ ct is all I want. Bring him here.
safely. within an hour, and you shall be
released. and your MN with you
The time is too short" he cried.
I'VE will have 10 go niles The country
/ is rough. II is night. Give us day
until tomorrow
I hesitated. Possibly I was demand
! ing too much I was about 10 grant
-, L n
| lard. who stood back Cf tn chief. gave
me TO understand that an nour was suf-
dcient time.
Il will wait an hour" I said Il
grant YOU your life on this condition
/ that Senior AIelrose is brought here
within the hour I mean II. You accept
my terms OF I viii shoot you"
/ He hesitated. pleaded for delay. but I
was firm. I gave him until I should
count ten 70 decide, AMI I counted slow
| y the time
I'VE will accept your terms" he said
Il was a relief TO me. A moment more
and I would have sent bullet through
| his heart
Release u.s. he continued, land I
give YOU my word that we will bring
/ you the American"
Il will release one OF your men,, I
said. land he can depart with orders
| from YOU. If he is not back within the
time have stated, and with the senior.
then you will be shot Are the terms
not fair? Do you agree TO them?"
II must go myself. senior.
mo, you stay here"
But II the senior cannot be found"
You die, as I said I replied Il
make my own terms. Remember 100,
this place is strong, and II there is
any treachery, first you and your men
! who are my prisoners will be shot
But what guaranty have we that you
will keep your promise, and set US
! free when we have fulfilled our part
| of the agreement"
None whatever. only my word" I re-
Piled You are at liberty to accept CT
reject my terms. 1 have made them
easy for you. \ price is set upon your
head. dead or alive. but offer you your
/ liberty, and your men will be permitted
TO accompany you on this one condi-
ton. that Senior Melrose. whom you
hold with the expectation Of receiving
a ransom. is brought 20 me safe and
well"
"Senor." said Don Cortinia, "one more
! condition. am to be given my liberty.
( 1T Is understood I replied
you are deprivinE us Of a pretty
| ransom. just as terms were beinG'
made" said the bandit CHIEF.
Yes" answered, and 1 am deny
I ing myself the pretty price set upon
your head. II is six TO one and a half
! a dozen of the other. and you NAV ac-
/ cept or not. as you please. II YOU DO
not care to avail yourself Of my Of
/ fer. I shall make short work Of carry
/ ing my threat into execution; and. what
/ is more. 1 will then set about finding
! the senior myself"
/ He tried 10 beg off. to persuade me
/ 20 allow him 70 go, pleading that he
was the only one who could find the
| Senior NIclrose, but 1 would not hear to
any such arrangement. Then il was
/ first one man and then another whom
/ he wished released; and when I had
/ finally released one man, he had much
/ 70 say 10 him. so that l began to sus-
peCt that he was delaying matters for
/ the sake of gaining time.
> And this seemed to be his plan. for
very soon l heard footsteps outside;
and. quick as a fash. it came 10 nv
mind that some of the band had been
4 lurking near the house, and that I had
! been all too careless in guarding the