The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-04-19

Elegant, assented his companion.
with ii mouthful Of steak. "ShtilI, Tn,
not askin to see any av tn clan. Ut's
good riddance. anyways ye take ut.
an hope theirs as many moiles betune
us as there is behoind u.s.
The door creaked trifie on it's wood
en- hinges. Crackerbox looked round
quickly. Sergeant Kay stood in the
doorway with leveled revolver in his
hand.
"1'll trouble you. McCorkle, :" he said
easily. "Oaka-quick now! You know
the formula.
The gamblers hands went up Mil
ligan raised his at the same instant
His eyes were engaged ut the window
before HIM
Bout face!" Milligan came round
mechanically in obedience to the sharp
word of command. "Tuti tuti'. Kay
went on protestingly, "you needn't
strike your dukes. Milligan. Keep 'em
up. keep 'em up. They look first rate as
they are. Hatherton, walk round here
Ill do the honors while you're COM
ing and fit these new cuffs on the gen.
tlemen. / want to see how they look.
Cutest thing in the market; lots Of
starch in 'em and polished to make a
Chinese laundry ashamed Of itself. We
haven't had chance to try EN- on a
real eligible candidate before
He bowed with mock Difference to the
gambler. Crackerbox smiled amiably
in return.
elm right glad to see you. sergeant.
va
Funny how things turn out, amt it 2
was just wonderin if you wouldn't
happen along - and here you arel
Well. all's fair in love and war-and a
fox chase. Some fools in my shoes would
probably see things-ropes. beams and
hornpipes. don't. Life's too short to
waste in speculation over what probably
wouldn't eccnr. Play you1 game out
and keep on lookin happy. That's good.
clean philosophy for man. And if you
do pass ont before the rest Of the play
eTs. why you're only hand ahead, and
they'll be hot in your moccasin tracks
to the sweet by-by. We only just hit
the ranch an hour before you. and seein
we was here first we can't do less than
make you welcome You wouldn't have
grudged us hearty reception. 1 know,
if it had happened the other way
round. Crackerbox laughed. eve
was right hungry. Mr.. Bennett here,
was 80 good as to fix US up real enjoy
able meal. an we've just wolfed it,
And. as the handouts went on: "And
them braceletsl Amt they charmini
Such finish Do you know, sergeant, as
soon as I'm out O this I'm a-goin to
get me pair. gold-miniature, you
know-same pattern. to hang on my
watch chain as souvenir. What's
wrong. AYilligan? You don't look pleas
ed"
The big Irishman glowered under hia
thick. red eyebrows 81 suppose this is
another twelvemont' for me-" he
growled.
Crackerbox burst into a loud laugh.
Don't be downhearted, me con-" he
returned. ''They can't give me too
much of good thing. TIL ask them to
let me have it. .
\ "Well. Mr.. McCorkle." said Kay.
''now you're wearing government
jewelry we can be more sociable I
guess you haven't finished your break
fast yet. It's ahead Of anything you're
likely to get between this and the fort,
which the same is 90 miles. 80 you'd
best make the most of it, Jump in.
And sif;ce ynr'rs x: !:osp;labie, il Mr.
Bennett will be good enough to fry
little more steak, we'll eat with you. I
guess you know better than to make
any breaks he added, significantly
looking from one prisoner to the other.
'''Too busy to think Of it, returned
Crackerbox. sitting down to the table
again. s'Kind Of tough proposition,
this. sergeant. he added moment
later after an Intellectual attempt to
cut his meat. "tryin to handle a meal
with your wrists sawin one against the
other. like cattle in yoke
Kay glanced at Hatherton. "Help
him ont. won't your" he said. ''Mr.
Bennett will do the same for the other
man, I'm sure.
.'Oh, I can't allow that" protested
the gambler. "I'll manage" He seized
the meat in his fists and tore it between
his teeth. like dog.
''Here. quit thati" exclaimed Kay.
''You're human at least, not an ami
NAL" He took out his keys and un-
locked one handcuff. "There. I'll let
You eat decently and not like pagan
If you'll promise not to try to escape
A sudden brightness flashed into the
gamblers eyes. but there was nothing
of it left in thu look he turned on Kay
as he replied with a bland smile: ssSure
thing. I'd promise anything under the
circumstances. That's easy. say, SER
geant. yon re real obliging: I'll see that
you re mentioned in orders.'
''See that You keep your promise.
that'll be sufficient, said Kay, shortly,
unlocking handcuff Of the other man.
Crackerbox laughed provokingly.
.'Now. sergeant, I like your jokes. You
two loaded down with deadly weapons,
and us''-