The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-10-01
HOW THE RANSOM WAS
 PAID.
BY WILL T. HALE.

BY WILL T. HALE.
 Copyright. 1905, Daily Story Pub. Co.,
 It now lacked only week till the day set for Julias Caswell to lead Miss Strother to the altar-and he was III the hands of kidnappers with no pros pect of release or hope of escape. Bit- terly he cursed the love of the chase which landed him in this predicament
 Shortly after the announcement <ot the coming nuptials he had met his friend and fellow drummer. Chenauit-
 T am off to the mountains on my annual deer hunt" the latter had said "why not accompany me, old boyE see from the society columns that you are going to assume cares of domes- tic nature. and I'd certainly rush pleas ure once more before giving up fiber ty! Seriously we will have the time of our lives, for the deer are said 10 be comparatively numerous in the neck of the mountains have in view.
 The suggestion without persuasion was sufficient, since the understanding was that they should be gone but four or five days at the longest.
 The third days sport was spoiled oy an almost continuous rain. and dark overlook them far from any known habitation. It looks as though they would have to take shelter for the night under trees, when they were en- couraged by a light f1ickering through the foliage-apparently at the foot Of the mountain they were traversing. They soon came to a road which led in the direction of the welcome beacon, and, following 1t. they arrived at a small cabin after more than a half hours tramp through the mud. It looked uninviting enough, but they could not be choice under the untow- ard conditions.
 When they applied for lodgings to the proprietor, who with two other in- dividuals had appeared at the door in response to their call. they were &C., corded surly permission to stay over night. But they formed an idea be- fore they had been in the room ten minutes that it might probably have been better had they bunked under a sheltering bluff; for the rude earthen lamp lit up three most viIlainous coun- tenances, while there was altogether too many covert gIances one toward another to suit them. However, the night passed without anything to sub stantiate their suspicious.
 Next morning they were awakened sou ewhat early by the noise their host made in preparing breakfast. Having partaken of the rude repast, they rec ompensed him for his trouble and started to leave. For the first time they noticed that their guns had been removed, and were nowhere in sight. This looked strange but the weapons may have been hidden to insure their safety.
 If you will get our rifles for us nowT suggested Caswell. endeavoring to suppress anything like suspicion in his manner.
 The guns is safe," said one of the men who had given his name as Joe Banks. You won't git hold of 'em soon, we've decided Furthermore, you'ns air prisners"
 What does this outrage mean?" de- manded Chenauit, after he had recov- cred from surprise. Are we to un- derstand that we cannot proceed on our way?"
 T don't pretend to be able to do anything but rough outside work on the langwidge, but hain't I made my self clear?" and the fellow gave vent to a hoarse chuckle. Might as well set down an make yourse'fs at home: you're pris'ners! Me an Jim an Cy here have talked the thing over, com in to the openyun that youns is rev enues. You won't leave less'n you shell out five thousand apiece"
 The entrapped men made as though they would resist the attempted out rage. but they were instantly covered with revolvers, and could not but be impressed by the ominous glitter of three pairs of eyes.
 Approximation was of no avail, and they were quick to see that resistance meant death to one or both.
 They would have to submit and trust to the future.
 They ain't no doubt but youns air spyin out wildcat stills" resumed Banks, but we've headed you off. Now we'll house an feed you fer a reason able time. Then eff you don't give us the dough, we'll stop the entertainment by throwing you over the cliffs down wonder. Which chanst be you ready to take?"
 ''But we are not millionaires-we night be able to make 1t five hundred. suggested Chenault "And we'll De