The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-11-21

"Whut air you goin' to do, then {"
 "lf you do not open this door and sui fer this gentleman to walk out, shall lay the matter before the proper suthori ties, and ther, if there's any fighting, il will take place between you and the sheriff"
 Old Hicks laughed wy, man, said he, " do you think that l ain't got no bet ter sense than to let you go to the author ities an tell pack O lies about meI know this here country heep better than you do, an i. you start out in the direc. tion of the sheriff, wy, the road is SC rough that your buggy mout fall offen a bluff. Buggies have fell offen bluffs, you know, an folks said, Pore feller, his hoss run away with him. Yes, it's powerful danger ous, l tell you"
 Dr. Hills face grew pale, and with a sinking heart saw the danger he would incur in attempting to liberate me. Hicks, quickly perceiving the advantage he had gained, continued:
 Nobody ever said that was a bad man, an nobody morn me would grieve ef somebody was to git hurt in this neigh borhood."
 You are even more desperate than l thought you were," the doctor replied. " However, do not intend to be bullied by you. hate violence as much per- haps any man living, but have never been so badly frightened as to run away from duty. Open this door or I'll go and inform the authorities"
 The calmness of voice, and the deter mined air which was ever noticeable iu his bearing, returned. knew that if he left with the avowed intention of calling on the sheriff, he would go at the risk of his lie, bu, should persuade him not to go2 Would not do as much for him Yes, but still l somehow thought it would be asking too much of him.
 " Doctor" said l, "you must be care ful. Think of the risk you will run"
 Not much risk" Hicks replied, "that IS to a man that knows the neigh borhood Thar's good many bad bluffs between here and the court house."
 Yes" replied the doctor, "and you are giving me one of the bluff, now"
 "All right, if you think so, have it your own way"
 "Well, l have talked long enough. Good day"
 {" Hold on," said Hicks. "What will you give me to open the door2"
 "N Not d-d cent p the doctor indig- nantly replied.
 "All right"
 The doctor hurried away. heard his buggy wheels rattling over the stones as he drove down the hill. Hicks, who had not left the door turned to me and said
 /" That friend O yourn is foolish"
 "No, you are foolish"
 "D Do you think so?"
 "l certainly do,"
 Wall, let me tell you something and then you won't think SO. This friend O yourn mout faN offen a bluff an get killed" But witness who could throw much light on the affair could be produced" "Oh, yes, an one man that thinks he knows somethin' mout be outen the way by the time they wanted him." "Very true, but my friends uncle knows that he started out in search of me-" "Yas, but mebbe the old man aint in good health. You must be fool to think that am goin' to give up pile O money on account O any foolishness. Your brother has obligated himself to pay me two thousand dollars year to keep you, with the understanding that ef you die tf you die, understan'-he will do tue handsome by me. Now would rather see you live an want you to take good kere o'yourself. Wall, must go."
 CHAPTER xxx. Shortly after Hicks left my door, Mrs. Hicks, In a state of much excitement, suddenly appeared. "Oh, we will all be ruined," she said. " Hicks has followed that man." "ls it possible that he would commit murder9" "Oh, yes, he W ould do anything. Out in this wild place the officers themselves have but little respect for the law. don't know what to do, for he told me just be- fore he lett that if you escape during his absence he will kill me-" She ran away. wringing her hands as she went. l sat down on my bed and tried to think. My situation was more