The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-11-25

ute IN Tying up anu sOo"Hs away us
money
"'Land hunters, s'pose" remarked the
stranger after a pause which neither OF Us
was inclined to break, anxious as we were
to get rid Of the man, and hoping that he
would take himself away.
II replied that we were Of that class, and
proceeded to make some inquiries of the
man, realizing that it was more prudent to
be civil than to exhibit our dislike of his
presence. praised the country, remarked
on the civility Of the pioneers whom we had
thus far encountered, and offered the fell
low our provision bag.
Yes, thar ar fine country he re-
marked, never noticing the provisions.
I'd like to tramp with We for two or three
days an show ye some of the finest land in
the world, but I've got a press of business
just now, and ye'll have to excoose me
hal hal hap
81 could not see anything mirthful in
his remarks, especially as his face grew
more wicked as be uttered them, but /
made no reply and be walked off, we con-
tinuing to watch him until he was hidden
among the trees.
"Comstock was greatly frightened at the
incident and was for setting out for De-
troit Immediately, declaring that the man
having seen his gold would follow and
murder US at the first opportunity.
while believed that the mans cupid
ity had been excited and that he might not
hesitate TO commit murder for the sake Of
gold, l would not listen to Comstock's
idea of going back. ! argued that we could
plunge into the woods, make a long detour
and then throw the man off our trail if he
intended following US, or we could keep
the path and take run for mile or two,
getting among the settlers again before
Williams, as he called himself, could
come up.
Talking in this way, Comstock's fears
finally vanished, and we started off and
ran for a mile without halt Then walk
ing another mile at a fast pace we con-
cluded that we we're safe from pursuit,
and at the end Of the next mile had almost
forgotten the MONDAY incident.
I'VE were getting into "A finer country;
the road was better defined, the settlers
cabins were more frequent, and Comstock
felt quito jolly, Boosting that we could
have easily finished off the hunter had he
attempted any violence.
MY view VI b4C az IAlbt.lC was a IuOIC
serious one. The hunter was desperate
and a villain l was sure, and had belief
that he would attempt in some way to get
possession of the gold on which he had
been allowed to feast his eyes. | believed
he would follow us, but did not think he
would dare attempt murder 10y daylight,
rs he would naturally have fear of being
detected, and as he could only shoot one of
us with his single weapon, leaving the
other to resist or escape, / made up my
mind that his effort would be made after
dark at our camping or lodging place, but
l impaired none of my fears to my friend.
about 4 o'clock in the afternoon we
came upon prairie about forty acres in
extent, and paused for a moment to survey
it. The hjerCglgphi1s on tree near the
path showed that the land had already
been applied for, ana we envied the lucky
man. We were then mile beyond the
last cabin, where a woman had informed
us that we would have The same distance
to tramp from the prairie before reaching
another She had further informed us
that four miles on would bring us to
the Log Tavern which was situated at
a spot where the wesD road crossed this
one.
LAS | stood leaning against a tree, look
ing about, | caught sight Of something
moving out from behind large OAK about
fifty feet away.
Looking sharply, saw fur cap ap-
pear then mass OF red nair, and then the
face Of Williams! Tie must have seen that
my face was turned toward him, for he
drew his head quickly back, and / saw no
more of him, though l continued looking
1T the tree until COmstock had moved on
quite distance.
1T was now certain that the man was
logging our steps. We had failed TO elude
him by our run, and felt, as | started on
after my friend, that the villain would
shoot at one or the other as we moved out
on the prairie. IL | turned about and
walked up to his hiding place, he would be
sure 10 shoot me; if we Kept on, he might
pass the opportunity by. Thus reasoned
As followed Comstock.
IF you have never experienced the feel
ing that an enemy is behind You, prepared
10 lodge bullet in your bouy, having an
inclination to do so, and you expecting ne
will do so, you can never imagine how felt.
The chills danced up my spine, felt my
hair crawl. my knees were weak, and had
looked around he would have
seen a pale face. was thIrty rods or so
from the tree behind which / knew the
villain to be hiding, when the feeling be-
came so oppressive that I stopped and
wheeled about, determined 10 see If the
man was in sight.
The movement saved my life. As l
wheeled, bullet cut through the rim of
my SLOUGH hat. passed close to Comstock,
and went singing over the prairie. Then
we heard the report OF rifle, and both
caught the smoke from the tree.
Great heayenl who did that eT-
,lained Comstock, his face as white as
sheet
Il knew that Williams had tried to MUIR
Ter one of US, but rs he did not make his
appearance from behind the tree after
waiting, / concluded not TO tell
my friend what had seen.
" 1t was a stray shot from some hunters
rifle / replied, as coolly as l could. We
had better hurry On
AS we turned, about a dozen Indians,
I'll on foot. appeared on the farther side Of
he prairie. and ] knew that we were safe
from a second shot BY hurryinE across
the prairie we should have good start of
he villain. who would not cross until we
had entered the timber, ana we could then
quickly make the distance 10 the nearest
DWELLING
I'VE had passed the Indians with mere
word, and after entering the timber ran
almost every step o. ,ae way 70 the cabin.
1t lacked only an hour % shutdown when
we reached 10 and We had made mp our
minds 10 stop there for the night. Great
WAS our disappointment, therefore, 10 find
tse door nailed up. ana rude letters on il
gone Back TO ohIO-curse
suCH Country
"The furniture had all been taken out,
he nl.na Id 4 lonnsnrne LOOK and Al the