Year: 1874

II.
sifted at thousand imperceptible crevices, of
every secret it contains. man who reserves
his speech is a sealed book which defes the
scrutiny of the observer, and keeps IT'S treasures
only for It's owner. Robert Birch, however,
was sufficient master of his mind 10 let his lips
deal only with the fringes OF his thoughts; go
his loquacity, though mschlevous from the in
sight which it was likely to afford stranger
INTO his character, was not likely at any time TO
betray him verv seriously.


All this vanity and straining for applause was
not without an aim. Robert was ambitions
HIS great success IN depreciation, the eclat
which had attended the peculiar sauciness of
some OF bis exploits. and the eagerness with
which various parties had from time to time
sought to form an attachment with him, had
stimulated his PRIDE and filed HIM with the as
piring designs which were more silently stirring
within the bosom OF John Long. The title OF
"the Dandy Captain which had been given
him for his style OF dress, though not exactly
flatteripg sobriquet, had been the electric
spark which had impaired life 10 his ambition,
and he had conceived the hope of confirming
the vain cognomen into solemn right. llls
father encouraged him in this idea, and often
had the hopeful SIRE and son sat together in
their crumbhng cabin ID the wood near Marshall
ana speculaied on a future coniederacy OF the
praines OF the Murrell stamp. But there were
drawbacks in the way Of the hopes Of Birch,
which did not lie in the path OF John Long
These vera the formers fondness for pleasure,
and the reluctance with which he would under
90 continuity OF effort. He was capable OF a
brilliant expedition, feat OF courage or even
a series OF rapid and difficult exploits. but he
must have his relaxations, his intervals OF lei
sure, and above all. his seasons OF devotion to
species OF enjoyments that has been the
shoal Of every shipwrecked undertaking which
owns a record in the history OF man. Long,
on the other hand, was patient, steadtast, un-
firing. aud regardless OF all prvatons or sacri-
! fees TO carry out his ends II he had been
working day and night for Blk months to con-
clude an enterprise. the morning chat found il
done would see him ready to embrace another
His question would be, not whether he were
not entitled to period OF repose and leisure,





durance as the day before, The only inquiry
was in relation to the power and meaDs to per
! form the task, the inclination always jumped
at the first summons OF an opportunity. Here
was spirit capable OF producing great results,
while that of Birch was only equal 70 casual
coup de mains. The latter would dazzle more
than the former. but the first would mold stead
lily on to the regard and present to the observa-
ton at the end settled claim to lts respect ---
Such was Captain Bob. alias Robert Birch,
alias Bleecher alias Tom. Brown. the Alantatin
OF the Prairies, and the miliner of murderers.
! When Birch threw down his blanket he dis
closed very elegant personal array, consisting
of blue dress coat, with figured buttons, a
buff vest with large rope of gold chain fes-
tooned across the front. and a pair OF grey
kerseymere pantaloons, which did not entirely
lose the credit of their unexceptionable cut by
sweeping up the soaking dampness from the
grass. From an unconquerable habit, Birch
commenced adjusting his dress as soon as he
had thrown aside the blanket, "a tribute which
he was involuntarily paying to the recollection
OF his mistress) and turning around the room
in search OF mirror. old bingham, who
knew the handsome robbers foibe, smiled as
he observed his object, and by way of flattering
him remarked that he looked in splendid trim
tonight.


" Yes, but that's pretty wrapper for a
gentleman" said Birch, pointing dlsdainfuly
to the blanket.


Good enough to shut ont the fog" said
bingham.


"A Spanish wrapper with gold clasp would
do the same, and suit my fancy better" replied
Birch. 4" | have no affectation about such mat
tiers, Unce Peter, fine things please my eye,
and il they afford the same comforts to the
body two points are gained instead of one
What do you think Of that philosophy ?"


"Why, 30 far as my mind goes, replied the
host, 4" one thing suits me as we'll as another,
but must say it is pleasure to see you dress
there's no mistake but you know how to put 1t
on"


Z" Well, you couldn't guess how got that
blanket" said Birch with a smile that evnced
his qualification.


"No, OF course not" replied bingham with
an inquiring look.


" I'll tell you. | stopped at Sharrot's Grove
yesterday with our old friend Baldwin OF Dog
Creek. and there came down from the BAYOU
three men who we're to meet him and set out to
raise sight in Arkansas One OF them was
a strappipg fellow, named Magee, who used to
be rough nder' IN Texas, and who, have
reason to believe, played my brother Jack foul
in certain affair there In 1899. We commenced
the Afternoon with cards, and beat him out Of
all his pocket ballast, when. being able to put
him to no further use, thought would turn
up little fight with him. He wore that blank
ct, so taking hold Of il by the corner proposed
he should put 1t up as a final stake on the game.
He answered that he was not accustomed To
dealing with sharpers who stripped the bodies
OF their companions. told INN it was the
habit OF gentlemen to consider everything about
such blrd as him far game, whether It was
worth anything or not, and then asked him.
sneerlngly, if he had never heard of thorough
sportzmen throwing away powder and shot on
badgers and rats. He intimated that il didn't
keep civil tongue in my head, he'd make a
rat of me. then told him would make the
game an object to him, by stalking my new