Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-04-03

pom known to the Indian Territory. To
Illustrate the outlaw in some
scheme which he was no
doubt even then nurturing, would fur
nish the cowboys a little genuine
amusement.
! The wagon entered the road to the
right of where Ben aud Tom lay in con-
cealment, and at point where the tim
Der was less intricate. The driver
halted on the bank of the little stream,
unhitched his team, and began prepa-
rations to camp for the night. The out
law sat on his pony exchanging re-
marks with the man, evidently gloating
over his triumph so near at hand. Ben
and Tom we're not so far away but that
they were able to catch parts of the
conversation, from which they cleaned
that the traveller and his daughter
were on their way to Oklahoma to
take claim" It also became plain
to them that Steve King had taken adj
vantage of their ignorance of the coun-
try and had deceived them as to the
route, guiding them, NO doubt, for
some wicked purpose, in contrary d.
rection.
But what was his game? They
could not fathom that. However. they
would not relinquish watching every
movement of the william.
Steve King presently rode away, tell.
| lug the traveller that he must inform
his partner of his intention to guide
them to Oklahoma, and promising to
return shortly after nightfall.
| ko %1,o
the cowboys, Tom mounted and fol-
lowed the outlaw OH whom it was de-
cided to keep vigilant eye.
Ben Berry mounted his pony, and
whistling indifferently, rode up to the
travellers camp.
The traveller was removing the har-
ness from his mules, preparatory to
lariatino them on the tender spring
grass. Ben greeted him in a friendly
manner which the stranger was not slow
to reciprocate.
As Ben and the traveller conversed,
the cowboy stole turtive giances at the
lovely girl, who had left the wagon and
was gathering some dry sticks for the
! campfire. She was not more than
eighteen, the perfect embodiment of
good health, with plump, graceful form,
blue eyes of dreamy loveliness, and a
mass of wavy gold-brown hair. Ben
had never seen more beautiful girl.
| The travellers name was Lane, who,
with his only child, Oma, had left y
rented farm in western Kansas to take
a claim of his own in the much-coveted
Oklahoma. a.."
When Mr.. Lane took his mules to an
open space across the little creek on
which they were encamped, Ben
went with him. As the man So
cured his animals for the night, Ben
took occasion to put him on his guard
against his false guide.
! He purposely avoided exposing the
outlaw in the girls hearing, rs he did
not wish to raise alarm in her breast.
So Oma remained for the present igno-
rant of the true character OF their self
appointed guide. She had not been
/ entirely free from some distrustful feel
ings. however, as she had several times
detected sinister expression in
the black restless orbs Of Steve
KING. But| he had kindly offered to
serve them as guide, and as Mr.. Lane
! knew nothing Of the territory, he was
only too thankful to accept the mans
| directions.
! Oma prepared pleasant little supper
Of which Ben was requested to partake
with them. It may be needless. to say
thst he did not refuse, aud though be
felt awfully self-conscious Of his rus
tioity under the spell Of Oms's blue
eyes, Ben did not leave the fepass un-
satisfied.
Il was. now past sunset, and
deem purple shadows lurked among
the trees. The campfire burned
low. Mr.. Lane went off to hunt some
Ices to replenish it aud keep it burning
through the night.