Year: 1874

prdTle lOWl we're bhJ upon the bOhu DcIOIe
the robbers at their council hut In Washington
Grove the measured signal OF the clan was
struck sharply against the outer door, announc-
ing new arrival. After exchanging the word
through the wall 10 those who made the sum-
mons, the door was opened at the order OF the
Chairman and two men presented themselves
10 the assemblage. rattle OF glasses on the
table greeted their appearance, and the Chair
man formally welcomed them in the name OF
The company.


The former OF these two men was tall; he
had witty, nervous frame, and though but
twenty-five years OF age would, from the hard
cast Of his features, have passed for man of
twenty-slx or seven. His complexion was OF
that swarthy cast which beseems the pirate and
the brlgand the color OF his hair was in keep
ing with his cheeks, and bis bold and penetrat-
ing black eyes resembled those cf a tiger more
than any which belonged 20 human sockets
Though rather light IN frame he Lad great
breadth Of chest, and he stood erect with that
easy grace which denotes recklessness and
strength. The tine points Of bis structure,
however. were more than counterbalanced by
the sinister expression OF his face; for its
cold, hard lines iis wedge-like decrease from
the broad cheeks 20 the narrow chin, and the
Thin and contracted mouth betrayed a vicious
nature and ruthless heart


The other man was small in stature. but also
strongly built. HIS complexion was OF dirty
sandy color his hair and eyes were light, but
there was no style or spirit in his bearing, which
to basty observer would render him worthy Of
ASSOCIATION with the dashing vulture at his side.
A steadier view, however, revealed shoulder
ing sullenness in the lower shades OF his faint
grey eyes that looked like resolution, and that
promised TO fash as high as courage when
properly touched with motive. y stlll closer
observation might have discovered in this in
fenor and sulky figure likeness to the Appollo
Of the Plains beside him, for, vide as was the
difference, they we're Graded in the same cabin
and were doomed 10 perish on the same beam.


These men were two Of the celebrated Nor
mon brothers, Hodges, Of whom we have heard
Long and his comrades speak when reposing
after the affray at Grafton at the station Of old
Hunt. Their names we're stephen and William,
the former and most formidable looking one
being he youngest, while William. the short
one, was the senior by TWO years.


No sooner had these rufians taken then
seats by the now abundant board than a new
rap followed and was succeeded by the intro
ductlon Of another guest. The name Of thu,
man was Thomas, or as he was more familiarly
called, Tom Brown, close associate Of the
Hodges, though not stationary like them at any
place. lie was rover Of the prairies, con
stantly moving from place 10 place. and gen
orally flying with dripping knife from the pur
suit Of some cold blooded and voluntary murder
in height be was nearly six feet, and in hli
cruel disposition lie somewhat resembled the
Youngest Of the brothers who had just preceded
him. He was highly esteemed in that ferocloui
crowd; no man could excel him in deeds o
daring, and had he possessed judgment com
mensurate to hls other powers he would hav,
been the Hector Of that circle; but he wa,
reckless to the last degree, and rather than die
pose little prudent patience on Job he woulC
undertake il often when the conception was un
ripe, and force 1t to success through a crowd o.
unnecessary dangers. 1t was this hot haste o.
spirit which obliged him 20 often to pluck hi
knife fl ON its sheath, and cut his way through
obstacles that he might have eluded or wooeC
aside


" Now" said Jack Redden, a. Brown tool
his seat, church is in. and it is time for th,
exercises to begin," upon which signal til,
hungry brgands fell to work upon the smoking
viands that sat before them, and performed
such ieats, each for himself as would hav,
been creditable to the Reverend Fnar Tuck, o
the giant Dundemere after his fe 70 fun. Th
venison which stood piled up in tricklinI
launches was slashed down with trenchan
bowie blades, and transferred to the privat
plates in broad and juicy colops The pralri
fowl were dismembered and strewn about i,
savory fragments among the members OF th
board, while before Kilgore was decently lai,
out roasted sucking pig, whose tender Joint
we're soon discovered to let out fragrant stean
OF thyme and savory that pervaded the hut
and would have done honor to a Londoi
Christmas board.


There was great trencher work in that cabin
Those VINO have seen the clown play with chol
sticks at the circus, or the jbggers devour egg
at the museums, can have only faint idea o
il. The venison when Its foot was on the heat
was scarcely more nimble to disappear, or th
prairie hens more light Of wing while clutterin,
over the meadow, than when lying before th
hungry hunters Of that board. There wa
wassail, too, among those rude merry makers
and the woods around. which had so ofte,
walled with the piercing cry OF their despalrn
victims, were now vocal with a softer phase q
their unbended natures.


vt length one leaned back from his labo,
then followed another and another. and whe
the last reclined from his deyotions with


deep. half-smothered sigh of satisfaction. In
final fragment Of the meal had taken it's leay
: from the dishes Of the board. A drink A
round in regular form then closed tins porto
OF the evenings business, and the chairman
wiping his mouth with q nonchalance which i'm
piled some notion Of the dignity of his station
, intimated that the time had come for counsel


Hold on a minute ! " said Jack Redder
, who had been laughing at q communicate


made to him by Tom Brown, 81 want Tom {