“‘Ping, ping,’ went those barrels. He tried hard to draw himself up into the tree. Then hung by one hand, with the other endeavouring to detach a weapon.
“But it was too much for him. He dropped to the ground with a heavy thud. I pounced upon him, held him by the throat, my knee on his chest, shouting for the soldiers.
“A cavalryman detached from his saddle a pair of iron cuffs, originally intended for the appropriator of the luckless mule, and the unenviable ornaments speedily enveloped the captive’s wrists. The wound not seeming serious, we placed him astride his last booty and started for camp.
“To conclude, suffice it to note, that the rioters were liberated with the exception of a few of the most prominent, who were sentenced to some months’ labour at the garrison in Silver Greek.
“There was no convenient penitentiary in the locality; besides men were in demand by the P. R. R.—therefore they were set at large. As for Dan Whipple, it was found necessary, after surgical examination, to amputate his wounded limb; but his thiefship obstinately refused to undergo the beneficial operation, and three days after his capture he died miserably from the effects of gangrene; thus preventing me from taking him to Omaha, to be subjected to lawful justice by the injured express firm—my employers.
“In justice to the departed purloiner of other people’s horses so as to obliterate from his record at least one crime, I explained to the military authorities the abstraction of the mule from the team, and was cleared of all intention of joining the profession, of which Mr. Whipple was such a prominent member.
“The labour superintendent, since these adventures were shared, has often met me, and we have undergone the same perils over and over—in words.”
CHAPTER CVI.
A GLANCE AT BROXBRIDGE—THE ROBBERY AT NETTLETHORP—A VISIT TO MOTHER BAGLEY—A STRANGER AT THE FARM HOUSE.
We must beg of the reader to accompany us once more to Broxbridge, which has been the scene of so many important events in connection with our history. Since our last visit to this place time has made many sad alterations.