THE FUGITIVES SURPRISED—THEY ARE INCLINED TO FIGHT, FINDING THEY ARE TWO TO ONE, BUT CHANGE THEIR MINDS AND SURRENDER—A LONELY RIDE—AN EFFORT TO KILL GEN. COOK WHILE ASLEEP FRUSTRATED—FIVE DAYS WITHOUT SLEEP—A SHORT BUT THRILLING CHAPTER.
Hilligoss and Britt were evidently taken entirely unaware. The two thieves had stopped and gone to work, and did not suspect the shabby looking stranger who was now standing with his back towards them only ten paces away, until he turned upon them with cocked pistol in his left hand and as usual, presented with an aim which they saw would be fatal, and commanded in clear and distinct tones:
“Hands up!”
They hesitated a minute.
Cook drew a finer bead.
“It’s no use,” said Britt; “he’s got us, d—n it!” and up their hands went.
Thus were two desperadoes, either one of whom was considered a match for any two ordinary men, taken by Gen. Cook. He even compelled them to disarm themselves by unbuckling their pistol belts and letting their pistols drop to the ground. Then he threw a pair of handcuffs to Britt and told him to put them on.
“I can’t,” Britt replied.
“Put it on or I’ll put a hole through you as big as a bay window.”
The fellow snapped the irons on. Both men were served in this way. Both horses were also recovered.