Year: 1871

fever, when the country swarmed with des-
peradoes from every cline; when dark and
violent deeds were Of daily, even hourly oc-
currence, and when the terrible Vigilance
Committee, with its sudden hand and wild
justice, was just beginning to be felt through
out the land; this is the time, scene and
opening of our story.


The log house at the door of which George
Abbott sat at the close Of one summer day,
was of the rudcst description, but it included
several apartments, aud was strongly built
Though situated cnly a few miles from San
Francisco, it was nothing more or less than
rendezvous of thieves and cut-throats, and
Abbott, the owner of the house, was their
chief confederate, who disposed of their sto-
len property to mutual advantage. Abbott
himself by no means bore the appearance Of
a desperado. He was tall, slightly built
man of about twenty-five or thirty years of
age, we'll dressed, and scrupulously neat and
clean. His pale face was almost beardless,
and his thin, sharp features and cold gray
eyes bespoke the mean, crafty, calculating
villain, with none of the bluff assurance of
the rough knave. 1t might easily be seen
that his might be the brain to plan, butnever
his the hand to execute bold and bloody
crime. The house which was chiefly known
as Abbott's ranch, looked Immediately down
the sandy road leading to San Francisco,
with the broad Pacific on the left. While
Abbott was seated at his door. a man came
up the road. He was a powerfully built
man, coarsely clothed, with low, british
features, full of mingled ferocity and cunning.
He nodded to the proprietor of the ranch and
went inside. Abbott arose and followed
him.


"Quick, Abbott, give me some brandy"
exclaimed the man with an oath, at the same
time seating himself at small table in the
large dingy room.


Anything in the wind to-day, Jack?'
asked Abbott, as he placed The bottle of Ii
quor and tumbler before the mau.


"Not much, was the reply, "only the
internal Vigilance Committee are beginning
to watch some of our gang. Brady was
told to vamose to-day and Bill White told
me that a number were looking after him
pretty closely. BY thunder! if it comes to
this, it may be my turn next. am getting
shaky, and don't care how soon quit this
place"


"Well, Jack" said the other, sinking
his voice almost to whisper, "there is no
need of either you or me staying here much
longer, you know"


" But when are you going TO get things
6xed?'


"Tn two days all will be ready. have
made all the necessary arrangements.


"Good 1t will just be a jump on board
the steamer, and away we 60 to New
York"


Precisely, but you won't breathe a
word ?"


"Do you think I want my throat cut ?
Why, they would kill me as quick as they
would you. What will be the swag?"


"a cool two hundred thousand dollars
that is after we get through with the newly
arrived jeweler, which have mapped out to
be done tonight. In an hour or so | shall
start for Stockton, to make arrangements re-
gardng you and me; you can finish the
jeweer while am gone. will be back to-
morrow, and will meet you here. OF course
can get up something to keep the boys
away from us, so that we can have the
coast clear for our final sweep. We must
be sly, for the gang is as full Of suspicious
as an egg is of meat; it is time they were
dropping in here; think hear them coming
up the road now."


One by one, on foot and on horseback the
different members Of the gang began to ar
rive at the rendezvous, until in short time
as the lights were brought in by the man
Jack the room contained upward of twenty
men of the most vlainous description. As
| H.. tI,o ho n q
more frequent and the personal epithets more
violent and abusive. Abbott did not drink
himself, but moved about the room with
more than bis wonted taciturnity. At
length he signi6ed bis intention to g..


"And where are you going to? asked
Bill White, burly rufian who was par
TALLY intoxicated.


81 20 to Stockton on business" said Abb
bott, sharply.
| "Smash my crust if understand it, no
how" said Bill, eff the old man as keeps
all the swag is to tramp around the country
just as he pleases, why, l want to know
what it means"


Abbott did not turn pale, but bis heart
was not easy. Jack, his friend, however
was quite ready with his diversion.


keep your minds easy, you maudn
foolsr he said angrily, "who is it but Cap
tain George that puts up half our jobs for
US ? and who are you, that you Question
him p


This sentiment was echoed by a number
Of the gang, and Abbott felt somewhat easier.


Gentlemen, You are all primed for the
jeweler; he quilted the steamer yesterday.
/ have never seen him, and have been una
bic to learn his name; but enough Of you
have seen the old man to know him when he
stops here tonight at twelve, on bis way to
the back country. Jack knows all aboutit,
and you can certainly manage everything
before my return tomorrow night. lon
will all be busy on the big thing l have
worked Nd for you at Benicia. Jack will