The Nine-Mile Hold-Up 



It was shortly too dark for the soldiers to see the flying 

 outlaws. 



Butch and Mat struck the river at last, and Butch's 

 horse plunged into the swift current without hesitation. 

 But the pack-horses threw up their heads and refused to 

 go in. There was no time to lose. Mat drew his knife 

 and deliberately jabbed it into the lead horse's flank. 

 With a snort he plunged into the river, half dragging 

 the others after him. Mat jabbed each horse in turn, 

 and each did his best to get into the water the shortest 

 way. Once started they all swam strongly for the 

 opposite shore. A regular hail of bullets cut the water 

 near them when they were in the middle of the stream. 

 The soldiers had reached the bank and were firing in the 

 dark at the splashing, but no one was hurt. 



Just as the fugitive clambered up the bank on one side, 

 the soldiers plunged into the water on the other. Butch 

 headed up the trail for the Hole, followed by Mat and the 

 pack-horses. 



When the soldiers reached the opposite shore, the 

 Captain in command struck a match and examined the 

 trail. He followed it afoot for a few rods, examining 

 the general direction closely. 



Rising quickly from his scrutiny of the tracks, with 

 an exclamation of surprise and exultation, he turned 

 towards his men and said: 



" We've got 'em now, boys, sure ! They have made a 

 mistake and taken the trail into the Hole. It's a regular 

 trap ; this trail is the only outlet. We'll go along a little 

 farther and camp for the night. Three sentinels will be 

 enough at the mouth of the Hole." 



They rode along a few yards and dismounted. Hard- 

 tack and water was their supper, as no fires were allowed. 

 The tired horses were led back to a plot of grass on the 

 river-bank. Sentinels were set, and the rest lay down 



197 



