With Gun ? Rod in Canada 



he was frightened and puzzled. Suddenly, in an instant 

 of comparative silence, Butch' s sharp voice came thunder- 

 ing down from the boulders. He was speaking through a 

 megaphone. 



" Throw up your hands !" he commanded. " Throw 

 'em up ! There are three more mines right under your 

 feet, and I'll blow your whole outfit to Hell if you stir 

 a step or pull a trigger ! Up with 'em, quick !" 



For a few seconds there was a pause. All looked at the 

 Lieutenant and at each other in consternation. There 

 was nothing to shoot at. What could they do ? The 

 Lieutenant was a brave man. He sprang in front of his 

 demoralized soldiers and yelled: 



" Come on, men; drive 'em out of the rocks !" He 

 started towards the narrow trail which led up amongst 

 the boulders. 



A rifle cracked and he fell, shot through the thigh. 



" It is no use for you coons to try that game," yelled 

 Butch, " or you'll all get the same dose." 



With their leader fallen, no one attempted to resist. 



" All we want is that money," continued Butch. 

 " Throw your guns over the cliff and my men won't 

 harm you; and, damn you, if you don't we'll blow you 

 into pieces a coyote wouldn't eat !" 



This last remark seemed to strike terror to the hearts 

 of the mystified negroes. Down went their guns and up 

 went their hands. At Butch's command they walked 

 to an indicated spot and sat down with their hands still 

 over their heads. Then Butch cheerfully told them that 

 they were sitting on fifty pounds of blasting powder, 

 and if a man moved, all would die. Their eyes bulged 

 and they turned green with fear, but they did not move. 

 Rifle in one hand and some canvas sacks in the other, 

 Butch scrambled quickly down the rock slide, leaving 

 Mat above and now in plain sight of the soldiers. When 



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