The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-25

Derrick sat silently beside the dead
boys cot. He had not stirred thence
since dawn, when they had walked him up
ana told him what mad come TO pass IL
was impossible at first to make him real
lie 1t. He stared stupidity az the dead
boy, and then at them. and again at the
boy. He sat down beside the cot and held
the lads hand in his and talked TO him,
as Il II were all some absurd Joke But
there was no torpor IN the minds OF the
hers. From the first shout of fury Ut
tered by HI when he awakened and found
the truth and aroused the others, the
ranchmen had been preparing.
The man they had sheltered at the dead
boys bidding, the man they had disliked
and shrunk from as uncanny and doubt
ful, but whom they had received and well
treated at the boys request: the man
whose life the boy had saved was missing
among them all. The red blood had
flowed from the lads heart and saturated
the clothing; the stains of blood, dripping
tripping from the keen-edged knife
were on the Eioor, and in the kitchen hall
way, and on the bare boards of the kitchen.
anu on the kitchen bed was the knife, the
red blood drying upon the blade.
Derrick had been the leader among them
aA-ln the hunt, in the work. in the riot.
IN the night. But now he did not notice
what was gong on. He let them move
hastily about. stutfing bread and meat in
their saddie-hags, ouckling their belts. sad
ding their ponies, and ne did not move
from the dead boys side. Ri came up 70
MN ana gently took him by the arm
Come" he said, I've satdIed YOUR
horse Get your gun"
What for?"
To find him"
Derrick stared at him for moment and
rose 10 mis- feet.
Il understand" ne said. Il took his
wife I EOou H..
with THAI. The boy saved ms lie. I'd
have LEI him freeze TO death. Yes, yes,
I'll come"
he drew the sheet up over the lads
quiet, white face, and went with him.
Ihey Ieit the BOY alone. There was none
% IoOcn MN, only the morning breeze 10
move MS curls. and the creek TO sing 10
his unhearlng ears, and his favorite doc
10 aoWl outside the deserted ranch.
II was oTlght. early morning when they
mounted and followed the trail. for they
knew ne would ford the river and take the
way o. the tral!-the same path thew had
watched the previous day, waiting Tor the
boy 10 come home
There we're few words spoken among
tAem; they did not az any time mention
one 20 another their object but they rode
on and a. steady lope. The sandy. IN
Travelled road betrayed mis- path; his foot
MARKS could be seen from the saddle.
4
rent OF vltCperation. ending in an outburst
OF FURIOUS tears. The Others did not norlce
MN, only their eyes might have grown
harder and nercer. There was drink
among them, but none touched II. Der
rex rode beside, or behind the rest. never
u 'front.'. once ne murtered 70 himself.
Us me as did II aI--the kid died because
OF me"
The man must have travelled fast. He
had but few hours the start Of them. and
ne mad taken horse. He must have riad
Win devils behind him. L. was evening
before they overlook him.
lie might have been an innocent and
Marin eSs way.a-er, as ne sat beneath a
Tree, Up ravlne little wav from the
t-a-I, Tor De smiled az Vhem as tney rode
Up. ana continued PLAYING on the violin
even "Len they GIsmounted and stood
over MN. II was one Of the old airs H.
h@c so often played 10 them. and one Thar
h4- c. ten brought tears 70 their ewes. brlt
no" tIei- ears were closed 70 all sugges-
lgns OF tenderness or charity.
Derrick stood in front Of him and asked
sluc.y and without passion.
h ny didn't you XIII me2'
lac man laughed low and Qlaved on.
on q have liked that better" he
The boy has done YOU no harm. He
saved your life "
You loved him loved Katie, and