Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-09-20

He contided to me that it was one
of the express horses, that the first
trip would be very soon and that II
desired to send out my own savings |
could do so. I was glad to do this,
even though the rates were high, and
we easily PERSUADED Yank Of the ad-
visibility. One Of the express riders
was slight, dark youth whom l had
never seen before. In the other l was
surprised to recognize Old Hickory
Pine. He told me his people had
"squatted" not far from Sacramento,
but that he had come up into the
hills on summons by Danny Randall.
The fact impressed me anew as to
Randalfs wide knowledge, for the
Pines had not been long in the coun-
try.
The trip went through without Incl
dent. Johnny returned four days lat
err aglow with the Joy Of that adven-
turousN ride through the dark. Rob-
bers aside, acknowledge should not
have liked that job.
The first half dozen journeys were
more or less secret, so that the express
service did not become known to the
general public. Then the news inevita-
bly, leaked out. Danny Randall there
upon openly received shipments and
gave receipts at the Bella Union. 1t
seemed to me only a matter of time
before the express messengers should
be waylaid, for the treasure they car
ried was worth any ones while. !
spoke to Randall about it one day.
''If Amijo or Murietta or Dick TEN
pie were in this part Of the country
I'd agree with you," said he seriously.
"but they are not, and there's nobody
in this lot Of cheap desperadoes around
here that has the nerve. Those three
boys have big reputation as fighters,
their horses are good, they constantly
vary their route and their times of
starting. and Johnny in especial has a
foxy head Oh him.
1.-THE weak point is the place they
change horses" said l.
Randall looked at me quickly. as
though surprised.
"Why, that's true" said he mot a
doubt Of it. But I've got five armed
men there to look after just that And
another thing you must remember
they know that Danny Randall Is run
ming this show"
Certainly. thought l, Danny at least
appreciates himself. And yet, after
all, do not think he in any way eX-
aggerated the terror his name inspired.
About this time party Of overland
immigrants. headed by man named
Woodruff, were robbed of their cattle.
Johnny and his men rounded up the
thieves. killing three and placing two
others, Carhart and Malone. under ar
rest. 1t was decided to try Carhart
and Malone at a miners meeting.
The meeting took place in the Bella
Union, and the place was crowded to
the doors. All the roughs in town were
on hand. fully armed, swearing. swag-
gering and brandishing their weapons.
They had much to say by way of
threat, for they did not hesitate to
snow .;S.itis::1 s:npathies. As ! looked
upon their unexpected numbers and
listened to their wild talk must con-
TESS that my heart failed me. Though
they had not the advantage in num-
bers, they knew each other, were pre-
nared to work together were. in gen
eraI desperately courageous ana reck-
less and imbued with the greatest con-
fidence The decent miners. on the
other hand, We're practically unknown
to each other and, while brave enough
and hardy enough, possessed neither
the recklessness nor desperation Of the
others. think our main weakness
sprang from the selfish detachment
that had prevented us from knowing
whom to trust.
lam not going to describe that most
turbulent afternoon. The details are
unessential to the main point. which
was our decision. Counsel was APP
pointed by the court from among the