The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-24

sYore deeply under their breath, and their faces wore frowns as black as night.
 Now, you boy over there who has been singing'-the newcomer was speaking to Max, but he kept his eyes on the two ruffians, also his revolver-"come to me and look in my right-hand pocket and find leather thong. Then proceed to tie the hands of the big brute first. He'll be more manageable with wristlets on."
 Max was not slow in obeying his newly arrived friend. As he was about to pro ceed with the tying of the rufaan's hands tat individual showed some signs of re- sistance but a look from the young Her cules quelled him Into submission. As soon as the tying of the larger rufian's hands was completed to th~ satisfaction of the newcomer, who found Max to be master of the art of tying knots securely, the younger tough was subjected to the same course of treatment. Now" said Max's deliverer, speaking in a tone of command, and addressing his prisoners turn down the mountain side towards town"
 Three hours later, just as the supper bell at the little hotel was ringing, Max and his rescuer handed the two mountain bandits over to the towns officers. Then the two hurried to the hotel to relate to Maxs father the terrible experience Max had just passed through. How can 1 ever thank you?'' asked Max of his com panion as they hurried along the street, and he grasped his new-found friends hand warmly. 'I shudder to think what might have happened had you not ap- peared on the scene when you did,
 "Oh, that's all right about the thanks answered the boy, laughing. 'I know how you feel, though. You were in pretty tight hole, I confess. But 1t was your revolver''-Max had explained the ownership of the revolver-'that did the work Had 1t not been for that I fear you would have been helpless in those toughs hands. The police have been on the outlook for that pair for several weeks"
 again, though I fear must have appear ed quite a coward. But l haven't heard how you happened to be there in that No, you were not a coward" declared Hold the Fort as you did But you ask how t,d sd beb g be R the Well, I'm a prospector, and I had Just come across good lead up there in that canyon. Knowing of that cave I took my hide them. I had just gone in when l heard voices. Not wanting any other prospector to get hint of the place l would have come out sooner, but seeing the big one with a revolver and the younger one with a club, 1 realized l must walt for an opportunity to jump on the armed ones back and disarm him. weapon on the rock right within reach at the entrance. Then l watched my chance when his face should be turned from the cave toward you You know the rest"
 and his companion mounted the hotel had been told the. whole exciting story. My boy-my boy!' was all he could say as he held Maxs hands In his own. Then he turned to Maxs new friend:
 You are the sort that heroes are made from" he said. feelingly. You must let ment he has forgotten to tell me your
 My name Is Frank Jones, sir," in- formed the hero of the hour. T am just poor mining prospector.
 dThen let me be of help to you in some way" suggested Mir. Snodgrass., partner. 1 don't like digging alone"
 Let me be Franks partnerf' cried Max. q came out here to live an out door life, and l might as well turn my time to account.
 And that evening mining company was formed, with MT. snoagrasS at us ers of the company were Max Snodgrass and Frank Jones. They did the pros
 And two years later, when some East ern friends were asking Max ana Frank how they came to .eall their rich gold young men laughed, and Max answered.: Fin memory of the time when l held the fort as prisoner till Frank came to play the heroic act of liberator."