“There was but four of ’em! I’m sure of that! I saw ’em before they got nigh the stable, as they were sitting near the drift-mouth, but thought nothing of it. It was no new thing to find men there, and even strangers. I had been talkin’ a bit with the stable boss, when I again saw the fellows, this time coming toward the stable. Still, I had no suspicion of their purpose. The next thing I recollect was a youngster, sticking a bright seven-shooter in my face! I went fur him, and seized the pistol with my hand. It was discharged as I caught it. I let go, and shied my hat in his face, and just afterward another of the party came up and fired at me! After that, two more came and followed suit, when I thought it time to get shelter, so I went behind a horse, and they fired and hit the horse, and he fell, and I went down with one leg sorter under him, an’ they looked in, saw me as they thought, dying—but I’ll let them know I’m good for the lives of some of them bucks yet!—an’ left the place. It was about half-past six in the morning—just nigh sun-up, an’ I could see them as plain as I can see you! Of course I’d know the first one that shot, and I believe I’d recognize the rest if brought before them. I mean to live to see the scoundrels punished! If the law will not do it, Bill Thomas will! The sneaking, cowardly curs went up the hill like a shot, and were out of sight in two minutes, before anybody could catch them! One walked a little lame. I recollect that, for I stood up as soon as I could and looked after them. Dr. Bissell, of Mahanoy City, got here soon afterward and dressed my hurts. He had the impudence tell me I must keep my bed for the next ten days at least! I’ll see him and all his plasters, pots, and vials in h—l before I’ll do that!” Linden tried hard to convince the wounded man that it was as much as his life was worth to venture out until the result of his hurts could be definitely ascertained, but made no impression upon the stubborn fellow. Seeing that this would not succeed, the officer tried another tack, and found Bill ready and willing to second his efforts in hunting up and arresting the would-be assassins. Said the operative: “Now, Thomas, if you will not obey me, or your friends and physician, I do hope you will bear in mind what I say in another direction!” “What is it?” asked the frescoed man, sullenly. “I want a promise that, if any one asks who shot you, the answer shall be, ‘I don’t know!’” “Neither _do I_—so that’ll be no lie!” “Well, if people inquire what the four men were like, say, for the present, that there was so much smoke you could not distinguish their faces or figures!” “I’ll do it, Captain” responded Bill, with an oath and a groan. “I’ll do it! But what is it for? That’s what I want to know!”