The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1896-10-22
The Sheriff Of SiSkyou.
By BRET HARTE.

Inc man slouched on BY his side
casting his surly, furtive chances fro-,
let to right as if seeking to escape from
these condolences. Nevertheless the M
lor kept on through the gullv untiI
reaching the wagon road they crossed i
and began to ascend the opposite slona
half hidden by the underbrusb and
larehes. Here the major paused og.i,,
and faced about. The cabins of the set.
element We're already behind the blpf1
The little stream which indicated tba
bar, " ON which some perfunctorv min.
ing was still continued, now and Then
tang out quite clearly at their feet al.
though the bar itself had disappeared.
The sounds of occupation and labor hc.l
at last died out in the distance. They
were quite alone The major sat down
On bowlder and pointed to another
The man, however, remained sulJenly
standing where he was, as if to accent
As strongly as possible the enforced
,ompanionship. Either the major was
TOO self absorbed to notice it or accented
Il as satisfactory characteristic of the
half breed race. He continued conf.
lently:
Nov, look here, Toni want to
leave this cursed hole and get clear out
IF the state. Anywhere-over the Ore
yon line into British Columbia or to the
coast, where | can get coasting vessel
Town to Mexico. 1t will cost money.
ont I've got it. 1t will cost a lot of
risks, but I'll take them | want some
BODY to help me-some one to share
risks with me and some one to share my
uck if l succeed, Help to put me on
he other side of the border line by sea
On land, and I'll give you 81, 900 down
before we start and $1,000 when I'm
safe. !"
The half breed had changed his
slouching attitude. 1t seemed more in
/ dolent on account of the loosely hang
ing strap that had once held his haver-
sack, which was still worn in a sloyen-
ly fashion over his shoulder, as kind
of lazy sling for his shiftless hand.
Well, Tom, is it q go? You can
trust me, for you'll have the thousand
in your pocket before you start. can
trust you, for I'll kill you quicker than
lightning if you say word of this to
any one before l go or play single
trick on me afterward."
Suddenly the two men were rolling
over and over in the underbrush. The
half breed had thrown himself upon the
major, bearing him down to the ground.
The haversack strap for an instant whirl-
ed like the loop of lasso in the air and
descended over the majors shoulders,
pinioning his arms to his side Then the
half breed, tearing open his ragged
blouse, stripped off his waist belt and
as dexterously slipped it 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 knew that no cutlery
would be heard.
For the first time the half breed sal
down. But there was no trace of tri
umph or satisfaction in his face, which
wore the same lowering look of disgust
as he gazed upon the PROSTATE man.
II want to tell you first" he said,
slowly wiping his face, THAT didn't
kalkilate upon doin this in this yer kline
of way. l expected more of stand W
fight from you-more risk in gettin yor
out of that hole-and different kline
of man to tackle. never expected yor
to play into my hand like this, and il
goes against me to hev to take advan
tage of it. /"
"Who are your" said the major pant
ingly.
I'm the new sheriff of Siskyou. ;
He drew from beneath his begrimeC
shirt a paper wrapping, from which h
gingerly extracted with the ends of hi
dirty fingers clean legal looking fold
ed paper. That's my warrant. Nv,
, kept it fresh for you. l reckon yol
don't care to read it. You've seen i
afore. It's just the same as t'othe
sheriff had-what you shot. !"
Then this was plan of yours anG
that whelp's escort?" said the major.
Neither him nor the escort know
any more about it than you, . returned
the sheriff slowly. 81 enlisted as Injil
guide or scout ten days ago. deserted
| just as g'lar and nat'rallike whel
we passed that ridge yesterday. coulC
be took tomorrow by the sojers if they
caught sight of me and court martialed
It's as regular as that. But timed t.
have my posse under deputy draw yol
off by an attack just as the escort reach
ed the ridge And here l am Z"
And you're no half breed?"
There's nothin lnjin about me tina
water won't wash Off kalkilated 20,
wouldn't suspect anything SO insignifi
s)G1sslslsaEg ..4