The daily Alaskan., 1905-10-21
A Simple Poor
 HG1 Dire Girl
IOrlginaLl

trap. He had been caught in what our west they would call canyon. Through It mountain torrent had worn its way deep In the rocks and boiled and bubbled unseen by human eye, shaded as it was by an lmpenerable growth of trees and brush. This stream was Toms only outlet. He might trust himself to 1t and if he came safely through the dangers of cataract and hungry animals would emerge in an open space below. But the end of the route was watched, and the chances of escape were few. Sam Sykes, the leader of tie revenue men, was pug zled. He knew where SilCox was and would have been sure of him had he had more men to surround him. But he had only two assistants, and Sllcox was desperate man. One or two lives were likely to be the price of the cap ture. He was meditating as to what he would do when a girl typical of the country approached him. She wore a cheap calico dress, a check sunbonnet and COwhide shoes.
 Reckon you uns air lookln for Tom SilcOxy" she said.
 What do you know about SllcOxP replied the officer evaslvely.
 Reckon I'd ought to know somepin about him, secin' the way he's treated me"
 How has he treated youT
 shook me-"
 q see. He's a mean dog, not worthy of Q nice girl like you. 1 should think you'd wish to get even with him.
 "So would if I knowed how
 A crafty expression came over the mans face. Why not turn him over to us revenue oHicers?" he asked.
 How could do that?'
 You might pretend you would help him out and give us a chance at him"
 The girls face lighted with an ex- presslon of vengeful hunger, but she did not reply.
 q wouldn't mind giving a twenty dollar blll," added the officer.
 This time avarlce showed plainly on the face of the poor white girl, who never had so much money In her life. Then she began to think. Sykes gave her plenty of time.
 q kin take you unS to whar Toms hldln," she said at last
 Its a bargain"
 Toms hldln' in an ole cabin. I'll 20 thar with you uns, but must have a leettle time with him outen sight. Hes got somepln O mine I want to git. s soon s 1 settle that I'll tell him you uns Is comln' up the crick and he'd better make tracks up. l might say l got crltter for him up | thar"
 Splendid. When shall we go?'
 "Now's good time as any"
 Sykes called in hIs men and gave them the plan. They were to follow the girl to the edge of a clearing, where | they would lie concealed under the 4hi.i. p,--.-L- ---l,tl,---', .---NaE't ystIv told Sykes something of the lay of the land. The cabin was within @ few yards of the creek, and this was the ! reason SilcOx had selected 1t for a hiding place. If attacked be could easily drop down into it and 1t would 1 be hard to get him. Above the cabin the ground, though comparatively open, was hidden here and there by rocks and scrub trees.
 Sykes saw the advantage of her tell. Ing the moonshlner that they were coming up Instead of down, since It would probably prevent him from talk ing to the creek. If the officer had any suspicion as to the girls real in tentions they were now dlspelled. In deed, he had suggested the revenge himself. Besides, she was too simple to concoct any plan for an escape. Was she not leading them to Silcox's hiding place?
 When they arrived OH the ground she said to Sykes:
 "D' v want to take him alive or take him dead"
 Alive If we can"
 Then you uns better go up the crick a spell whar there's an openin' hell have to go out"
 Sykes ordered the two men to do as she suggested. When they had gone she said to him: "'S sOon's I've had my talk, TomIl go up, as I said. You uns kin shoot him If y like; I don't keer." This was said with a tremor In her voice, as though in her heart she did care. Reckon I'd better drop down behind the bank O the Crlck to git outen the way O the bullets. Good by. I'm Off"
 Sykes waited the result of the ma neuver for about five minutes, when he saw the figure of a man In butter nut" swiftly making his way up the creek. He could have easily shot the moonshiner, but he relied implicitly on bis falling Into the trap above. He saw the calico dress and check sun bonnet disappear behind the bank, but he was intent on the person who had gone the other way. He followed the "butternut," keeping him in sight so far as was possible, till he saw his men take him In without a shot. Then he breathed a sigh of relief.
 UncockIng his rife, Sykes walked leisurely toward the others. As he