The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-22

had some friends near by. we nau Sol
as far as the Muddy when saw them
coming several miles behind, ana pres
entity Pegleg noticed them. and at once
declared that we were being followed.
Ills manner changed the moment he saw
them He became glum and cross. and
cursed everything In sight. / said no
thing. but drove steadily on. making Du-
puyor creek at dark. We hadn't fairy
unhitched when the others drove up ana
wanted to know where we were going.
chaffed with them as we prepared camp,
but Pegleg never opened his mouth.
We'll. from there on we Travelled and
camped together, talking around the fire
every night about the fortunes we were
going to make. and enjoying the prospect
but Pegleg sat always apart from us,
drinking steadily out Of the keg when
he held as all his own. and would give
but a surly answer 10 any question ask
cd him.
The next afternoon we sighted the 81.
Marys from the top of the big hill lead
ing down into the valley, and asked Peg
leg to point out the exact place he had
made the discovery.
PEGLEG GIVES A LOCATION.
How do you s'pose / can tell jist the
very identical place from here? he asked.
You see that valley over there point
ing toward Swift Current. We'll, It's up
In that there valley
1--WE roughed-locked the wagons and
started down the hill to the outlet or
the lake, having made up our minds 10
cross over and camp on the prairie where
Swift Current runs into the ST. Marys;
but when we got to the river we found 1t
was a raging torrent We saw that
there was nothing for IL but 10 build
large substantial raft; 50 We made camp
and started out TO find suitable lumber
for the purpose. There was plenty OF
cotton wood and green fir near by, but We
went up the shore several miles before
we found any good dry pine II was then
too late to cut II, and we hurried back
20 camp whore We found Froggy standing
guard over pegleg with gun.
After accompanying us a little way
he had concluded to go back and cook
supper, and when he arrived at the camp
ne found the cripple packing his blank Is
on one OF my horses preparatory to light
ing out. We went out little to one
side and held a sort OF council. and then
told pegleg something that set him to
thinking.
.'see here. said. probably you've
nten IN III > tVuilAtN lbHH fE'hrn W FA'W
how miners serve a man who leads them
a wid-goose chase but as you may not
know. IN tell you right now that as soon
ne they find out he has deceived them
they hang him TO the nearest tree. You
might as well tell Us right here as later.
whether you really have discovered any
placers or not
The mines IS over there. jist as T
told YOU he replied sulkily, giving me a
baleful glare Of those beady eyes,
but turning rather white about the giils.
I'm spite Of a thick, layer Of dust and
dirt.
80 save the trouble of watching him.
Wa removed his wooden leg and cached
IL. took his gan and cartridges away
from him. and, to be sure that he
wouldn't get It. drank up all the whis-
XIV that remained In the kes he had 50
iealousy nursed. That last act hurt him.
lie begged me 10 save part OF IL for him
To give him lust a small drink; but re-
ferred him TO Froggy. He has charge OF
II. now. / said: make your talk to him.
But Froggy was mad all over ana
wouldn't even look at him.
The next day we built raft. and by
hard work managed TO get The wagons
and everything across 10 the other side
BY shutdown. On the following morning
we made preparations 10 vSit the much
taiked-of placers A horse was packed
with picks. shovels, gold pans. and some
provisions and others were saddled, IN
Guiding one foe Pegleg. who was 10
lead the way. But the cripple was rolling
on his bed ana groaning, apparently IN
great agony.
THE PUNISHMENT OF PEGLEG.
81 can't go. he kept saying, I'm aw-
ful sick. You fellers go and leave me
You can't miss Il. Just foiler up the other
side of the creek three or four mile an
you'll find my pick an shovel ard gold
ran on a bar; that's the place. On now
lick | am, I bleeve I'm goin 10 die.
Hain't you got a little whisky FER ies-
lcr?
"Of course we thought that he was
sharnming. sim, there was possibility
that he was really suffering, so we ieu
Monroe 10 take care Of him and the
camp and started on our quest We were
convinced that Pesleg had never been IN
The valley. However. as We were more
We concluded 10 see what We could OF J..
and sank a hole or two in likely-looking
places. We didn't get color Tor our
Mains. not even black sand, and when
we arrived at the fails we ran into
bunch OF elk and the prospecting trip
wound up in a hunt. II was while fol-
lowing a wounded elk that ! noticed the
Groupings OF the mines they are working
up there now.
you may be sure that we felt pretty
sore toward Pegleg. and as We SAT about
the fire that night We planned all sorts
az schemes 10 punish him. However. We
hadn't decided just what to do with him
when we got back TO camp the next day.
lie was lying on his bed when we got IN,
but Monroe told, US that he had been
lively enough during our absence, and
with his four ounces or more OF dust hed
tried TO brbe him 20 take him across the
line TO Fort Macleod some seveniy-fVe
miles distant Well. We finally decided
not 10 Kill him. although Froggy swnre
he would. but 10 leave him right there
without any food. taking his gun and
other property with US. He didn't really
have anything else. for ! had bought II
an. The camp OUTFIT was soon slowed In
The wagon and We began TO harness the
horses. Some one had siven The cripple
his wooden leg. and he stumped frsnti-
caIlv around, trembling and eiasplng and
unclasping his hands. tears running from