Year: 1874


sued.


We have seen them make precipitate re-
treat from the den at Bevil's Creek, when the
placards of the Governor of Illinois, appeared
announcing reward FOR their apprehension,
and plunge into the wilds of northern Missis-
sippi, but we have not seen them hold coun-
cll after their second days travel, to decide up
on their future course. Under ordinary cir
cumstanses and according to all previous rules
of conduct, they would have separated at this
point, and have eluded suspicion by each
adopting a particular disguise and pursuing
separate course, but the proposition was re-
jected by Birch, who because Fox bad pro-
posed it, was disposed to apprehend that it
might be his intention to return to where they
had buried their money, and appropriate the
treasures for which they had imperled their
ives. lie proposed instead that they should
adhere together, and if need Se, fight through
all danger that might present itself, aud what
was Of equai interest that they should combine
abilities as they kept up their flight, 10 snatch
such plunder as offered itself TO their hands.
Long being made an umpire, acceded to the





guaranteed him th at Birch would not vindicate
his mistrust of Fox, by secretly returning to
the rayine himself where the plunder was con-
cealed, and getting start or Fox, IN the
seizure Of the funds. The party therefore de-
cided to unite interests, and at the same time
resolved with daring that was characteristic
OF them, to depredate as they went along. On
the night of this resolution they arrived in the
vicinity Of Hopkinsville, and meeting an old
acquaintance named Burtis, who acquainted
them with the fact that they might find four
fine horses in certain part Of the town. one
OF which was superb race mare, that they
might carry off with sase and the stealing Of
which, In addition to being job OF profit,
would help to bear them on their journey.
The three robbers thanked their friend for his
suggestion, and after regrethng that the ex-
| igencies Of his condition bound him go hastily
away in different direction, that he could not
share the excitement and profits OF the scene,
bade him adeu. and wished him good luck in
his escape.


At midnight, Long, unerring when upon the
scent OF plunder, found out the stable where
the three horses were housed. and Fox equally
acute, pitched upon the place that harbored
the race mare Shortly they we're mounted,
Fox taking to the back OF the feet trotter, and
Birch making a saddle for himself out of fine
buffalo robe, which hung on rack in the rear
of the stable. They rode all night and housed
their beasts in thicket in the morning and az
ter administering to their comfort in the way
of fresh grass and water, they stretched them
selves in the shade Of huge cotton tree, and
went to sleep. In the night they resumed
their journey, and pressing forward in this
way IN alternate stages through the darkness,
reached the city of st. Louis, in the evening Of
the 23d of August. Seeing their animals se-
creted in a wood, they made the best OF their
way to the centre OF the town.


They stopped opposite livery stable, and
after short consultation, Long stepped for
ward, crossed the street, and disappeared in
the man entrance. Some fifteen minutes
elapsed, after which he appeared at the door
accompanied by thick set man of middle age,
who made slight signal with his hand, which
caused Birch and Fox to separate and take
different courses up and down the street. See
ing by this that they were understood, Long
and the man disappeared IN the stable again
and shortly afterwards Birch and Fox having
taken the necessary turns to avoid suspicion,
dropped separately in at the same place. A
door through the yard Of the stable let them
into small adjoining dwelling, and soon the
three robbers and the man OF the stable we're
sitting at table, on which already, in obedi-
ence to an early order, a black boy was setting
glasses and something to eat.


"well, Reynolds" said Birch, with swag-
ger Of which he was very fond, when he was
quite at ease, "well, Reynolds, how goes trade
in your line has any OF the boys brought in
any horses lately3"


Business has been slack" said Reynolds,
as il he we're under q slight embarrassment at
beng thus addressed by a man whom he had
never seen before, 1.-THE lookout has been very
keen in this part of the country of late, and
the boys are getting shy"


"who is here ?" said Fox.


Nobody Of any account, replied Reynolds.
except Jack Tinker, who made sharp run
from Cincinnati, for robbing iewelry store in
that place The officers are on the lookout for
him, but he lies close, and under my advice
won't bulge"


That's good counsel" said Long, they'll
move on shortly, and the 'coppers' here will
soon drop their enquiries, thIrtng that he is
still upon the retreet."


We'll, Revs0lds, said Birch, "we'ye got
soE.c s5od animals for you row old fellow.
Three splendid horses, and a race mare that /
would SCI against the world"


81 think | shall hold on TO the race mare
myself, said Fox, IN tone that showed he
did not altogether like the egotistica assump-
ton Of his companion.


- 1 take it she is between us all" said Birch,
turning on his heel, and looking right at Fox
with slight degree Of surprise.


Certainly" SAID Fox firmly, "but she is
FIRST at my disposal"


ave shall have no difficulty in fixing the
rights Of that matter" said Long quietly; "but
in the meantime we might as well see what