Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1877-09-29
WHO WAS NY QUIET FRIEND:
BY BRET HARTE.
" Strangeri"

down the narrow darkenlng tran. NC
one in the fringe of alders ahead; no one
on the quilted slope behind.
"Oi siraDgeri"
This time a little impatiently. The
Californian yocative, 49," always
meant business.
l looked up, and perceived for the
first time, -on the ledge, 80 feet above
me. another trail parallel with my own,
and looking down upon me through the
buckeve bushes small man on a black
horse.
Five things to be here noted by the
circumspect mountaineer: First, the
locality--lonely and inaccessible, and
away from the regular faring of team
sters and miners. Secondly, the stran-
gers superior knowledge of the road
from the fact that the other trail was
unknown to the ordinary traveller.
Thirdly. that he was well armed and
equipped. Fosufhly, that he was better
mounted Filthy, that any distrust or
timidity arising from the contemplation
of these facts had better be kept to one
self
All this passed rapidly through my
mind as returned his salutation.
"Gc: any tobacco?" he asked.
had, and signilied the fact, holding
up the pouch inquiringly.
"All right, III come down. Ride on,
and IN jine ye on the slidc.''
"The slile?" Here was new geo
graphical discovery as odd as the sec
Ond trail had ridden over the trail
dozen times, and seen no communica-
ton between the ledge and trail. New
ertheless went on hundred yards or
so, when there was sharp cracking in
the underbrush, a shower of stones on
the trail, and my friend plunged through
the bushes to my side down grade that
should scarcely have dared to lead my
horse. There was no doubt he was an !
accomplished rider-another fact to be
noted.
As he ranged beside me found l was !
not mistaken rs to his size; he was quite |
under the medium height, and, but for
pair OF cold gray eyes, was rather |
commonplace in feature.
you've got good horse there" l
suggested.
He was filing his pipe from my
pouch. but looked up a little surprised,
and said, '.Of course" He then pulled |
away with the nervous eagerness of a
man long deprived of that sedative. Fl
nally, between the puffs he asked me
whence came.
l replied from Lagrange.
He looked at me a few moments GU |
riously, OUT on my adding that l had
only halted there for few hours, he |
said: ~ thought knew every man
between Lagrange and Indian Spring,
but somehow | sorter disremember your
face and your name"
Not particularly caring that he should |
remember either, replied, half laugh
ingly, thai rs lived the other side of |
Indian Spring, it was quite natural.
Hetook The rebuff such it was-so
quietly, that Is an act of mere perfume
tory pclitesess, | asked him where he
came from.
Lagrange"
d" And yeu are going to-"
'.Well, that depends pretty much on
how things pan out, and whether cp
make the riilie.n He let his hand rest
quite uncoGsciously on the lea;hern
holster ~ his Dragon revolver, vet with
Il stroag suggestion TO me Of his ability
Ito make the rifle" if he wanted TO,
aud adiei - BGi jus. now ! was reek-
min on taking little p1setr with YOU"
There was nothing offensive in his
speech. save its familiarity and the re-
Election, perhaps, that whether l OBJ
iecied or not. he was quite able TO do as
he said. only replied that if our paSear
was prolonged beyond Heavytree Hill,
/ should have - borrow his beast. To :
my surprise. he replied quietly, That's
So" adding that the horse was at my
disposal whlt re wasn't uSiaS it, ana