The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-08-14

oCIOuSly using MS urSI name III uef eX-
element.
Il don't know. He hasn't been with
mo since breakfast" ~
1t does not take them long. to search
the premises. The surgeon is not there.
His horse is gone, too. .-
1t looks as though he, too, has de-
serted US, says Colonel Lorley.
The girl recalls the young man 8 re-
mark that he had been tempted to quit
military duty and take to gold hunting.
Il didn't do him an injustice, " she
says. He is coward"
CHAPTER II.
WITH BLACK SAM
1t was true that Surgeon Arthur
Brannard had quit Q Camp Tampa,
but not Tor the purpose which Eleanor
had imputed to him. These are the par.
ticu)ars: An unusually rough and un-
kempt-looking individual turns his
horses head toward the miners valley.
He seems completely lost in thought,
and II his horse were not most inteIli-
gent animal, and in quite different
frame of mind from his master, both of
them would certainly meet their death
in some one Of the hundred pits and
trenches which scar and seam the
ground. The rider pulls up his horse
on the edge of one Of the shafts, and
calls out good-naturedly to the group
Of miners at work in it:
Hello, down there. Could any one
of YOU tell me where to find doctor?"
There aln'tnone here" comes from
one Of the men at the bottom Of tho
shaft; but there's an army surgeon
over to tho barracks
Thank you, my FRIEND" replies the
stranger, as he rides leisurely away.
No friend of yours, if l can help it, "
growls miner as he gazes after the
horseman. If that fellow doesn't be-
long to some gang Of bandits then I'm
greatly mistaken. The boys will make
necktie for him some day."
The rider halts n front Of the gate at
Camp Tampa and dismoants. His heavy
jack boots crunch the gravel as he
strides toward Brannard, who Is in the
yard.
We'll, what's the matter?" the officer
asks. Anything serious happened?'
A broken leg; that's all, Doctor" re-.
plies the man, in careless tone, but
that's bad in such country as this,
where it's pretty hard to make an hon
est living with two sound legs"
Brannard stares at the fellow with
puzzled sort of smile, which seems to
worry him little, for he fumbles with
his cartridge belt, and chen breaks out:
But you can fix him all right, can't
you, Doctor?'
That depends" was the answer. II
must see him first. II it's only frac-
ture Il can soon get him on his pins
again. How did it happen:"
Lost his footing and fell about
twenty-five feet into rocky hole. We
Strengthened him out as we'll as we
could, and I've been riding hard to get
you there as soon as possible.
isn't he down there in the valley?"
mo: four miles away"
THAT means two hours absence from
the post.
you shall be paid, Doctor, never
fear" comes from the man in calm
tone as he draws out weIl-filled cham
ois bag. Il suppose nuggets III do just
Us we'll as coin. Havo you pair o
scales, Ioctor?"
The officer explains that he was not,
by army etiquette, permitted to take
pay for his services to civilians; but he
consents to obey the call, and is soon In
r adiness to start. Alter taking q last
look at his holsters, which are filled
with all the necessary surgical para
phernalia, he swings himself lightly
into the saddle, and rides out OF camp
in company with his unknown guide.
It Is the middle OF summer, and, the
stream in the valley being low, they
follow the sandy bed us the best road.
How large is your party?" asks Bran
nard.
About eight of us, " is the reply.
And you have found gold-diggings
farther up the creek?"
Not exactly on this creek, but on
one flowing into it, which is dried up
now"
How long have you been in Arizona?
"Oh, about to or three years.
And your name is?'
Jim"
THAT seems to be a favorite name
with m ners.
Doctor" now breaks in the un-
known, las you seem to be so fond of
asking questions, I'll ask you some.
hot 1rS, il