The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-06-02
 WICKHAM.S RECKONING.
ESchange.l

WlCKHAMS RECkokl lNG.
 lSchange.i
 l, was ten o'clock on a svrmer morn ing in Cowra Creek, Aus,calia. Thcur were symptornf of unusual excitement sn the settlement. Something had occurred to disturb the usual routine. An item of news had arrived from Westerton which had drawn the men from their work for the interchange of ofopinioR and discussion. and there was an indispos,,ion to renew labor for the morning at least. The dis cussion had perhaps been most animated among the group in front of Sam Coulter's hosielry. the Emu"
 The chef speaker throughout had been Captain Reginald Brander. Look al i, how you will, say it's the coolest bit of work in this way that's been done in the colony for some time back he was saying "Bu, if this rascal showed pluck. that wasn't any reason why these fellows should have knocked under to him without as much as stirring hand. It's mighty curious thing that one man should be able to stick up three in that easy quiet way. If one hadn't known the men, you might have thought the whole thing looked like a put up job. don't know anything about the Wester- ton fellow and you don't look for much fight from little Tom Sharpe, though he's smart enough Al hls own trade but Joe Wickham's bIs and long enough 10 have shown more ggi,. le, never thought much oi ,ha, chap W,ckham one of your quiet. secret sort, with no, a spark of fun or life n him always the same uav ahnuf never liked these silent, close-mouthed men. He's TO, it 10 live in q gold country. a chap who Il hardly join in a friendly hquor, and won't touch a card or billiard-eue. Doesn't that look some thing like fear of dropping little of his cash But I'm seldom slow of saying what think of man. good or bad, as you know. boys and l say of this Wick ham now. what I've more than once thought, that believe there's precious little pluck in him of any kind"
 Wba, was the circumstance that was quiokening the pulse of Cowra Creek will have been partly gathered from the above fragment of the conversation at the '' Emu The mail from the Creek to Westerton had been stuck up" on the previous evening by a single horse man. and money to considerable amount, Tn bank-notes and gold coin, but chiefly the former, which was being transferred 10 Westerton, secured by the Tobber.
 On the evening of the day when the conversation with which this narrative opened took place. was down al Wick ham and tord's hut Whenever had d spare hour al night from my professional duties. as the single doctor in the settle meni, used to drop in and smoke pipe with the two men. l was d little curious to hear something more of the incident which had been almost the sole topic of gossip during the day. though 1 was no, disposed to press Joe upon the subject if he should show himself a, all disinclined to talk abou, i,. found him and his mate, Dan Ford. alone. and soon dis covered iha, they had been discussing the matter uppermost in my oSn thoughts. Discussion is hardly the word to apply to their talk. however, for il had been almost entirely confined to Ford.
 Among the company who had tha, morning been passing various opinions on the affair of the mail-robbery was rather special acquaintance of Dan EoAA S~ q HlsAA Oi 6 SttStit hhtu ECuCl1l society, who had taken little share in the conversation, but who had, partly on this account, no doubt. retained the most of it in his memory with great accuracy. The bulk of ii he had reiaiied that afternoon to Ford, who had been repeating i. to Wickham when osme in upon ,her l, was easy 10 sec that Dams back had been not little SC, up by what he had learned from his friend. Dan was attached 10 his mate with a simple bu; most thorough confidence 'and Cap.ain Brand CTS reference to lee, IS reported by his friend. were c. sort especially calculated to move him to anger and disgust.
 Seems the osptains bin talking un- usual ,all. he said; though he's al- ways in the ruck ai tha, any time. never admired Captain Brander the way some do: and he's no, risen in my 'pinion for the way he's bin gassing this morn ins. dunno why, joe. bu; it's struck me fore this that you're not q f&v'rite oi his, and now ], looks pretty ceftaia.'
 I've never had much 10 do with him. one way or another" said Joe.
 That's perhaps jus. the rcason.' re- pied Dan. ~ Thinks you've tough, shy of him, maybe. and feels little rough on il. don't give him much ofmy com pany. neither: but then I'm of no ac- coun;.n
 Wickham was silent. He sa, smoking with thoughtful. somewhat self-absorbed expression in his face. He was tall man, of spare build, long and rather loos>-limbed. He had long face, high, inde6nite-colorcd eyes, and shallow brown complexion. His face was bare,