The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-02-18
TEE SHERIFF or SlSKIYOU.
BY Bret Harte,

ospprts.t. 1899. b B,a gaLn.

Dawson was not astonIshed. the next morn
ing 10 see Major Overstone and the half breed
walking together down the gully road. For
he had already come 10 the conclusion that
the Major was planning some extraordinary
reprissi against tho invaders that vouis ia
sure the perpetual security Of the camp. That
he should use SO Insignificant and unlmpor-
tant q tool now appeared to him to be dsits
natural particularly as the service was prob
ably one In which the man would be sacrificed.
The Major" he suggested TO his companions,
"ninI going to risk n white mans skin when
he can get an Iniins hide handy"
The reluctant. hesitating step 81 the half
breed as they walked along seemed to give
some color to this. hypothesl-. lie listened
sullenly to the Major as he pointed out the
strategic position Of the bar. That wagon
road IL tho OILY approach to Vineyards. and
dozen men along the rocks could hold II
aeainst . hundred. The trail that you came
by. over the ridge. drops straight into this
gully. and you saw what that would mean to
any blanked fools who miHhttry 1t. Ofcourse.
We could DO shelled from that ridge IL the
Sheriff had a howitzer. or the men also knew
how TO work one. but even then we could oc-
cupy the ridge before them" He paused
moment and then added: " used to DO In the
army. Tom: saw service In Mexico before
that cub you got away from had his first trous-
tall and here | am
The man slouched on by his side. casting his
surly. furtive glances from left to right rs II
seeking to escape from these condolences.
Nevertheless the Major kept on through the
gully until reaching tho wagon road they
crossed Il and began to ascend the opposite
slope. half hidden by tho underbrush and
larches. Here the Major paused again aud
faced about Tho cabins Of tho settlement
I..E N0l.
stream which indicated the bar" on which
some perfunctory mining was still con-
tuued. now and then rang out quite
clearly at their feet. although tho bar It.
self had disappeared. The sounds VI occupa-
tion and labor had at last died out in the dis
tAnco. They were quite alone. The Major sat
down on a boulder and pointed to another
Tho man. however. remained sullenly stand
ing whore he was. as II to accent as strong
ly As possible the enforced companionship.
Either tho Major was too lf-abeorbed to no.
tice II. or accepted II as a satisfactory charac-
teristic OF the halt-breed race. lie continued
confidently:
Now look here. Tom want to leave this
cursed hole and get clear out OF the State!
Anywhere!-over the Oregon line into British
Columbia. or to the coast. where | can get a
eossting vessel down to Mexico! 1t will cost
money. but I've got II! 1t will cost u lot OF
risks. but I'll take them! want somebody
20 help me-soms one to share risks with me.
and some ono to share my luck II l succeed.
Help TO put mo on the other eide OF the border
line. By sea or land. and I'll give you thou
sand dollars down before we start aud a
thousand dollars when I'm safe
The half breed had changed his slouching
attitude. II seemed more indolent on account
OF the loosely hanging strap that had once
held his haverssck. which was still worn In u
slovenly fashion over his shoulder. as q kind
Of lazy sling for his sht,less hand.
well. Tom. is II q go, You can trust me.
for you'll have tho thousand in your pocket be-
fore you start l can trust you. for I'll kill you
quicker than lightning II you say n word Of
this to any one before l 90 or play single
trick on me afterward"
Suddenly the two men were rolling over and
over In the underbrush. The hall breed had
thrown himself upon the Major. bearing him
down to tho ground. The haversack strap for
an instant whirled Ike the loop OF u lasso In
the air and descended over the Majors shout
dsrs. pinioning his arms to his side. Then the
half breed. tearing open his ragged blouse.
strippedlof his belt.and as dexterously slipped
Il over the ankles Of the struggling man.
1t was all over in a moment. Neither had
spoken . word. Only their rapid painting
broke the profound silence. Each probably
FOR the nrst time The hall breed sat down.
But there was no trace OF triumph or satisfac-
tion in his face which wore the same look Of
disgust as no gayed upon tho PROSTATE man.
k"I want to tell you FIRST" he SAIL slowly
-i,I,, hi. ,... ",h,t I MA, .IIIIa,. &C.,
80. W, ~ =. 80 MAJ ~ 'e u.on
dom this in THIS yer Kind o way. expected
more OF stan up fight from you-more risk in
xa,,Io, -, on, a, ,n., ri. - = Ji1r.,,
ssh" S"u oa' t""' noo ~" u'"orohI
kin'i OF q man to tackle never expected YOU
20 inlay into my hand like this and Il rorS
.g,in., me N hav 10 tala oJyont.cac,i,
$500 '"e " - ~, w saN' ~
VINO arc you SAID the Major. psntlnIy
from Tenoatn his bserimed shirt paper wrap.
piag, from which he gingerly extracted with
the ends OF his dirty fingers a clean lecal-look-
,n, ,oId.J n.nar "Tha,.s M, ,r.-,a,,' H..
~, W
kent IL fresh Tor YOU lr"cE"n you don't care
10 read it you've seen it afore. It's Just the
..-... ,.o,har Shari0 h.a ,vh., ~, ar, ;,
- o'e' "o''" "au ""A' ''u snot'
Then this was plant OF yours and that
Whelp's escort % said the Major.
"N.i,h.r hir, nor thaas Lnows anu mos.
...ns ~ 49, I'm -, !, ~ IL io
snIis,sJ n'in eni,i S 81 .,,, si1 wv
H.. 49, d.asrtaJ ,ns. 80 rac'iar ' a ,nu q
nat, Al fiLs when We ne,saJ thai riJrs xssfsr'