Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-09-23
merely intcnd psning a practical joke
on the old iusticcP
CHAPTER XIV.

patience was completely exhans.ed
One excuse hfter another for delay,
followed Until the sun was almost
down before they rccrosscd the bridge
on their return.
1--WE needn't be in sich hurry"
said Bill, rs they started down tho
broad road at sweeping trot. "lcas
Jack Hawkins don't care, and its none
o ole Miles business how long we
STAY"
TO Walter. who could not brook
delay, or inactivity, the useless lingera
ing at the village had made him ncrv-
Gus. lie replied
"But, Bill, we had nothing 10 dctain
Ms there; your attempt to get war
rant for those names was failure"
"ln course il was" said Bill. with
another grin. 81 know'd he'd not give
a warrant for two sich names who hez
for the last thousand years stood for
nobody"
Then why did you demand tho
warrantsP'
80. don't We knowP"
"No, | don't"
"Why, boy, yo'vc hardly got yer cyo
teeth cut in the business. yiL
Walter started and looked Bill in the
face. A feeling of horror seized him.
he knew not why; but the fendish
grin on Bills face seemed to freeze
him with terror.
IL hardly understand YOU" after
n moments silence.
We'll. sir, | kin explain. | went
there to see ef the Justice krow'd d any
thing about the robbers, an Of he had
any suspicions."
The answer puzzled Walter almost
as much rs Bills entire conduct had.
He now noticed that they had left the
main road, and were entering mar
row wood path. The sun was down
and it was almost dark.
"What are you going through tho
forest for?' asked Walter.
IL mean to make near cut an git
home sooner by it,"
Walter was silcnccd by the answer.
The forest was dark, wild and lone
seWc. and would have struck timid
person with terror. Night was upon
them before they had gone a mile
through the dark wood. Bill kept up a
conversation as idle us IL was uninterest-
ing. "You got out o that scrape slick.
my boy," he finally said, with his hid
eous face near our hero.
"What scrape?n asked Walter
30, at Queenstown"
Walter felt his heart give one big
leap to his throat, yet he feigncd ignor-
ancc.
you speak in riddles, Bill; can't
understand YOU"
wall kin make myself plain as
yc want me to."
II wish YOU would"
wall, it's the little trouble We had
at Joe Brewster's or more egzactly
with the officers Of the law, while We
we're in Joe Brewstcr's store"
Walter was speechless. This phan-
tom seemed determined ever to rise up
in his path, between himself and happi-
ness. II was the ghost that haunted
him and seemed likely to drive him to
ruin.
aye know" p" said Bill. nudging him in
the side with his thumb.
ii suppose | do, he answered.
"In course yG do! Ia. ha. hal'
"But | will swear | committed no
theft and am guilty of no crime
"Of course ye didn't. like ter hear yc
say that! ha, ha, ha," laughed Bill. up
roariously. ms though he thought it the
most excellent joke Of the season. 81
guess We think know all yer secrets.
"YOu certainly know that fatal one.
said Walter, hardly able to suppress
The tears that rushed unbidden TO his
eyes.
"Yc needn't be afeard o. me a givin'
We away. / have never give q pal
away yit. -
What could he mean by those strange
words! Once before he had given u..
tcrancc 10 them. and Walter was ~
much mystilicd now rs then. He waa
soon to learn their fearful import. and
realize what il was to be pal Of Bill
Martin.
"Yc see, continued Bill, 1--WE bin
there an know all about il. |
wouldn't blow on We cause yo might
turn round aud blow on me.
II know nothing on you, said Wa!
ter.
Now, I'm goin' to tell you some
thin on US soon. cause its gittin'
about the time we was undcrstandiu'
each other"
Walter trcmblcd and was silent.
I'm satisfied yer a man o. courage.
nerve an pluck, an told our capt'i in
so. soon as | seed We. He is jist the
man TO pry round an lay plans an
tell us how 10 lay our hands on the
swag the easiest
Il certainly do not understand your
meaning
"Ye want me to be little bit
planer?'
Yes"
oyer won't squeal?'
'sNO.n
"Swar yen never tell"
81 do. "
"Yc hey courage?"
81 hope so. "
"Ye hey had a hard time all yer
IfePn
"Yeg, indeed"
Wouldn't yo like TO liv easy. an be
-ich, an hey heaps O. money!
Certainly
"Wall' sir, we're goin' to make piles
o money together"
81 should not object II it was gotteL
honorably'
ANY way Is honor'b le-that is bravs
and the wealth o this world don {
b'long to one man any morc'n anoth-
or. The man that gifts more nor his
sheer is not titled to hey it. The rich
man puts his heel on the poor one.
and ef one man II cheat another out o.
money an hoard il mp, it's no more q
right to 20 an take back what belongs
10 ye. The money belongs 10 the
world; we're its children an hey right
to take our own
You do not mean you would rob for
your share?" asked Walter, trembling
with astonishment.
..C,-... stIu =. ~ - n.t