Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-06-11
The agents had certainly chosen 9

the body; the waist was girded by a
broad belt, which held two Of Colts
navy revolvers; the lower limbs were
encased in fringed leggings. A huge
sombrero, and q close black mask con-
cealed the face; but Fleetwood saw
that the throat was a model Of beauty,
and a mass of fine, fair hair which
never grew on an Indian head, fell
low on the collar Of the gay, fringed
jacket Our young Canadian had just
time to take in these details, when the
Illinois Judge said, calmly: Hes got
the drop on us!" and stepped from
the coach. The others filed after.
The Mexican, the only armed pas
senger threw his revolvers out Of the
window.
Fleetwood was the last to alight, and
no man ever performed an act with
worse grace.
You cursed coward!" he cried, to
the frightened Mexican, you might
have given your weapons to one who
could use them!"
Out from behind the rocks, where the
stamp of horses could plainly be heard,
came the four masked men to enforce
the orders Of their chief.
Black Dave touched his sombrero to
the two women, and motioned them
quietly to one side Of the road.
Fear nothing!" he said, in what
seemed to Fleetwoods ear, decidedly
cultivated voice, II never molest la
dies"
But the males did not fare as we'll.
A fallen tree lay by the roadside. On
its trunk the luckless driver and his
masculine passengers were ordered to
sit down under cover Of eight loaded
revolvers. Fleetwood alone, showed
signs Of resistance.
"Sit down there young mani" COM
manded Black Dave, sharply.
'If it's all the same to you, you un-
considerable thief, l think I'll stand"
replied Fleetwood.
The eye of the road-agent flashed
through his black mask.
"Sit down." he thundered, cor I'll let
daylight through you"
Moonlight, you mean, Friend David"
laughed Fleetwood; you have me at
slight disadvantage, you see. If fair
play was possible between us, I give
you my word that I should not obey
you"
He seated himself reluctantly at the
end Of the lugubrious line.
Hands up!" cried the road agent.
The women alone were spared. Jehu
surrendered twenty-five hard-earned
dollars and watch and chain.
Black Dave, unlike road agents in
general, had no consideration for dri-
vers.
The Judge, with commendable res
ignation, gave up a well-filled pocket
book. The tourist in the gray coat
carried lean purse and no trinkets;
but the robber chief seized him by the
boots, tore off those useful articles, and
took from them ten thousand dollars
in government bonds. The Mexican
was the richest of the passengers. He
was stripped of chains and rings, and
watch studded with diamonds, not
to speak of great rolls of United States
bank notes, and a belt stuffed with
gold coin.
Black Dave went through" the
company thoroughly, and came to the
last victim in the line-Guy Fleetwood.
Inwardly, the young Canadian was
boiling with rage outwardly, he was
as calm as the night sky which bent
over the wretched spot.
Silently he permitted Black Dave to
relieve him Of superb chronometer
and a well-filled purse but when the
robber chief seized upon leather case
of letters and photographs, the young
fellow uttered a protest.
Il give you my word as a gentle
man." he said. that you will find neith-
er money nor jewels in that case.
Have the decency to let 1t alone, for
| it cannot be Of the slightest value to
you"
DRY up!" answered the robber,
roughly, as he tore the case from the
young fellows pocket.
A letter fell out, and two or three
photographs. The sight was more than
Fleetwood could bear. His. treasures
Maud's letters-his mothers letters-in
the vile hands Of this western robber!
He was a muscular fellow, and he
had been trained in the manly
art Of self defense Like lightning he
planted a tremendous blow between
Black Dawes disguised eyes.
The road agent dropped like log.
Instantly there was a crash Of re-
volvers, and Guy Fleetwood fell head
long to the earth, and lay there with
out breath or motion.
One of the men ran to his fallen
chief, while the remainder Of the gang
covered the stage passengers with their
loaded weapons, and so held them In
check. Black Dave was lifted up, and
a flask put to his lips. He revived
Immediately, and looked around.
where's that young devil?" he
gasped.
Dead" answered the subordinate
briefly, pointing to the PROSTATE body
of Fleetwood
Twas a pity to shoot so much good
pluck" said Black Dave, with a grim
laugh; then he waved his hand toward
the waiting stage.
Bundle in there" he thundered, to
the plundered passengers. and, still
menaced by the revolvers Of the road
agents they obeyed with haste.
The women were the last to scramble
to their places-they alone had escap-
ed robbery.
Black Dave sent a shot over the head
of Jehu to speed him on his way, and
off ratified the coach at tremendous
pace and vanished away in the shad-
ows of the night, leaving Guy Fleet
wood stretched across that fallen log
by the wayside, with the moon shining
down upon his stark, stiff body, and
over the blood-stains that streaked
his upturned face.