Year: 1874

looks as if he sleeps like top, and besides
there are two doors between HIM and the second
floor and where the old man lies. l have a
hight foot, and If everything goes on we'll am
in hopes we shall get along without any violence
or noise."


"wel, 80 far 30 good" said Fox, T" il the
thing goes straight through at the house every
thing else is fixed. Hunt is to have horses
ready at a turn OF the creek, some four miles
down, called Brooks Point. for three nights in
succession, commencing with tonight We
must row down as far as that and then make
our way to Hamburger with all the speed we can
10y the main road. We must there call on Jack
Burns and get means to cross the Mississippi
at once. When we get on the other side we
will be snug


Everything being thus laid out and assigned
to their several hands, the robbers had but little
further conversation and separated to await the
hour to carry out the plan,-Fox and Birch re-
treating back INTO the solitude of the wood aud
Long returning hastily to the mansion.


Fortune seemed to be in good humor with
villainy and everything worked into Longs
hand. The master OF the mansion gave hlm a
Job at splitting rails, and suffered him to take
his meals for that day at the house. This af-
forded him more opportunity TO cultivate the
good opinion Of the girl, and by large repre-
sentations OF his prospects and tact at work he
inspired her with the notion that lac would be
most eligible match The interview at night
was arranged on the representation that be
must perhaps leave the farm on the following
! IN hot for
/ eral weeks.


When the tea table was cleared away that
evening the family retired at once TO bed, to
make amends for the unusual sittlngs which
their visitors OF the previous night had exacted
from them; and Jack. who was always the last
afoot called to Barbara to hurry up her work
and commenced locking up the house. Just at
this moment. and as he was putting up the bar
to the front door, there came a light tap against
it which arrested HIM in his purpose and made
him pull it open. The negro was surprised to
find his dulcinea, Nancy, on the threshold, and
when he listened to her rapid communication
| he was surprised the more. Running down
stairs 10 request Barbara to fasten the door be-
hind him he said he would he back in half an
hour, and then without stopping for hls hat ran
with the wench to the shore Of the creek. He
did not wait to take circuit for a small bridge
situated few rods above the house. over which
the woman had just crossed, but put her in his
masters boat and rowed her to the other side
OF the creek in a direct line.


While the negro was disappearing in this di-
rection three dusky figures met in front OF the
mansion, which had been thus abandoned by
its guardian spirit, and after a low, whispered
interview drew near the basement door. When
within few yards Of il one stepped in advance
of the rest, and waved his companions to shrink
close to the wall while he proceeded to the
entrance. He then went up to the door, tapped
lightly, and in moment had the satisfaction
OF hearing the bolt withdrawn for his admission.
When the girl had closed the door behind him
and turned to give him fresh welcome the
robber grappled her suddenly by the throat, and
bending her backward over his knee stuffed a
gag in her mouth, which he drew from his
pocket all prepared for the purpose. 1t was in
vain she tried to cry out in vain she appealed
to the robber with her eyes he was like
machine of iron, remorseess and inexorable,
and proceeded with his work az il il were the
most ordinary task IN life. When she was Sc
curely gagged he bound her feet and hands,
and laid her IN a corner where she could not
see his companions when they entered The
three robbers took off their shoes III the kitchen
and under the lead of Long who took the light
from the table, advanced stealthily up stairs -
Arriving at the second floor, Birch was station
ed at the foot of the garret flight TO guard
against the descent of the son, and Long and
Fox went to the old mans door.


The Praine Wolf slowly turned the knob and
advanced inside. There was light burning on
the table. but the old msn was asleep Long
leaned for moment over the bed, and being
convinced that he was sound turned to the bu-
reau. As he moved away from the couch he
motioned to Fox, who stepped in his place and
drawing his knife held it over the old mans
eyes III case he should awake while Long was
at hls work. The feet OF the robbers were
noiseless, but Long was not SO lucky with the
old bureau. lie extracted the bunch OF keys
from the lever drawer without noise, but as he
turned the master key in the lock OF the drawer
which was the depository or the treasure, it
gave loud snap which started the old man
awake.


When his eyes met the terrible figure OF the
assassin Fox standing over him with the shining
blade of his bowie knife glittering in the air,
he would have shrieked with fear, but the
bugand anticipating the alarm stopped it with
his hand and as he waved his weapon threat
eningly aloft he whispered to his captive that
no harm should come to him if he would but
be still, but If he moved again, or made the
slightest noise, he would cleave hia skull IN
twain


The old man made no answer but groan
and Lcng, having now secured the treasure, re-
turned and helped Fox gag and bind HIM, as
they had tue girl, in order that no premature
alarm should subject them to quick pursuit.
Leaving the owner OF the house in this condi-
ton, the three robbers returned to the kitchen.
put on their shoes and left ;he house making
their way to the creek.


Damnation, the ngger has taken the boat
on the other side, SAID Long as they reached
the bank.


" low the hell could we have been so stupid. +,
SAID Fox " why we have out-witted olrselyesn y