The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-03-25

had some friends near by. We had got
as far as the Muddy when 1 saw them
coming, several miles behind, and pres
emily Pegleg noticed them, and at once
declared that we were being followed.
His manner changed the moment he saw
them He became glum and cross and
cursed everything in sight. L said moth
ing. but drove steadily on, making Du-
puyor creek at dark. We hadn't fairly
unhitched when the others drove up and
wanted to know where we were going.
I chaffed with them as we prepared
camp, but Pegleg never opened his
mouth.
"Well, 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 pros
pect, but Pegleg sat always apart from
us, drinking steadily out Of the kes
which he held as all his own, and would
give but surly answer to any question
asked him.
1.-THE next afternoon we sighted the ST.
Mary's 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 LOCATION.
"How do you s'pose can tell jist the
very identical place from here" he
asked. You see that valley over
there?' pointing toward Swift Current.
We'll, it's up in that there valley
1--WE rough-locked the wagons and
started down the hill to the outlet of the
lake, having made up our minds to cross
over and camp on the prairie where Swift
Current runs into the st. Mary's; but
when we got to the river we found It
was a raging torrent We saw that there
was nothing for 1t but to build large,
substantial raft; SO We made camp ana
started out to find suitable timber for tAe
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. 1t was then
TOO late to cut it, and we hurried back
to camp where we found Froggy standing
guard over Pegleg with gun
after accompanying us little way he
had concluded to so back and cook sup
per and when he arrived at the camp he
had found the cripple packing his blank
cts on one of my horses preparatory to
lighting out We went out little to one
side and held a sort of council, and then
told Pegleg something that set him
thinking.
See here, I said. probably you've
been in this country long enough to know
how miners serve a man who leads them
a wild goose chase. but as you may not
L
soon as they find out he has deceived
them, they hang him to the nearest tree.
You might as we'll tell US right here as
later, whether you really have discovered
any placers or not.
q The mines Is over there. jist as
told YER he replied sulkily, giving me a
baleful glare of those beady eyes. but
turning rather white about the giils, In
spite of q thick layer of dust and dirt.
ITO save the trouble of watching him.
we removed his wooden leg and cached
1t. took his gun and cartridges away from
him, and, to be sure that he wouldn't get
il. drank up all the whisky there re-
NAMED in the key he had so jealousy
nursed That last act hurt him. He
begged me to save part of 1t for him, to
give him just a small drink; but L re-
it now said; make your talk to him.
But Froggy was mad all over and
wouldn't even look at him.
''The next day We built raft and by
hard work managed to get the wagons
and everything across to the other side
by shutdown. On the following morning
we made preparations to visit the much
talked-of placers. A horse was packed
with picks, shovels, gold pans, and some
provisions, and others were saddled, in
Guiding one for Pegleg who was to lead
the way. But the cripple was rolling on
his bed and grooming, apparently in great
agony.
THE PUNISHMENT OF PEGLEG.
4 can't 60" he kept saying, I'm aw-
full sick. You fellers go and leave me.
You can't miss it, just foller up the
other side of the creek three or four
mile, an you'll find my pick an shovel
and gold pan on a bar; that's the place.
Oh, how sick I am! bleeve I'm goin' to
die. Hain't you got a little whisky fer a
Teller?
'Of course we thought he was sham
ming still, there was a possibi,i that he
was really suffering, so we left Monroe TO
take care of him, and the camp started