The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1920-04-10
CHAPTER TX.
A Cleanup.

A slight accident occurred at the
Jail. one so unimportant that Seaman
the jailer die not think Il worth re-
porting to his chief Blackwell, while
eating, knocked glass from the table
and broke II on the cement floor OF his
cell.
From the little table I'm HIS room he
pried loose one OF the corner braces.
AT night he scraped away at this with
his bit of glass until the wood began
to take the shape of revolver. This
fe carefully BACKED with the ink
brought him by his guard. To the end
OF his weapon he fitted an iron washer
taken from the bedstead. Then he
waited for his opportunity.
His chance came through the good
nature of Seaman. Blackwell pre-
tended to be out of chewing tobacco
and asked the guard TO buy him some.
about ten o'clock Seaman returned
and brought the tobacco TO his prls-
oner. AS he passed the plug through
the grating Blackwell's fingers closed
around his wrist and drew the man
close to the iron lattice work. Stimuli
taneously cold rim was pressed
against the temple of the guard.
Don't move. or I'll fill you full of
holes" the convict warned.
Seaman did not move, not until the
man in the cell gave the word. Then
he obeyed orders 10 the letter. His
right hand found the bunch OF keys,
fitted the correct one to the door and
unlocked II according to instructions.
Not until he was relieved OF his wea-
pom did Blackwell release him. The
jailer was backed into the cell, gagged
with piece of torn bedding and left
locked up as securely as the other had
been n few minutes earlier
The convict made his way down
stairs, opened. the outer door with the
bunch OF keys he had taken from Scan
Ian. locked II behind him and slipped
into the first alley that offered refuge.
Two hours later he stole horse from
an irrigated ranch near town. Within
twenty-four hours he had reached the
Soapy Stone horse ranch and safety.
After this the plans for the raid on
the Texas, Arizona & Pacific flyer
moved swiftly 10 head. Soapy Stone
and Sam dropped into Saguache In
conspicuously one evening. Next day
Stone rode down TO Tin Cup TO look
over the ground. Maloney tclephoned
their movements TO the Circle @ and
TO the Hashknife. This brought 20
Saguache Luck Cullison. Curly Elan
drau and Stats Davis. Bucky o'Connor
had been called TO Douglas on ippor-
tant business and could not lend his
help.
Luck. Curly and Dick Maloney had
already ridden over the country sur
rounding the scene OF the projected
holdup. They had decided that the
robbery would probably take place AT
the depot. so that the outlaws could
get the agent 70 stop the flyer without
arouslng suspicion. In pocket OF the
hills back OF the station a camp had
been selected, It's site well back from
any trail and so situated that from II
one could command view of Tin Cup.
The owner OF the Circle @ selected
three of his close-mouthed riders
Sweeney. Jake and Buck were the
ones he chose--to hold the camp with
him until after the robbery. The only
signal they needed was the stopping OF
the Flyer al Tin Cup. Then they would
come pounding down from the hills IN
time 20 catch the robbers before they
had got through with their work. Ma
loney or Curly would be on the train
10 take n hand IN the battle. Caught
by surprise. Soapy gang would surely
be trapped.
So they planned II. but II happened
that Soapy Stone had made his ar
engagements differently.
Luck and his riders took their blan-
kets and their traps down to Tin Cup
according TO agreement, while Davis,
Maloney and Flandrau became very
friendly with Sam. The boy, younger
than any OF them. was battered that
three OF the best known riders In the
territory should make so much Of him.
Young Culllson had stopped drink
Ing. but he could NOT keep his nerves
from Jumping. His companions
watched him so closely that he was
never out OF the sight OF at least one
OF them. Soapy had decreed the boys
death by treachery. but his friends
were determined TO save him and 10
end forever the reign OF Stone as a
bad man.
II was one day when the four young
cowpunchers were sitting togcthw 10
Curly's room playing poker that a spe-
cini delivery letter came 10 Sam. The
others, TO cover their excitement. start.
ed an argument. Presently Sam spoke.
as indifferently as he could.
"0ot the offer OF a sob down the
line. Think I'll run down tonight as
far as Casa Grande and sec what's do
ing"
This was about two o'clock I'm the
afternoon The game dragged on for
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