The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-05-09


reassuring nod
The foreman was even better than his
word Hardly had Lee finished speaking
when a cloud of dust that had been
rapidly moving over the desert proved
to be the wake that followed our men.
Except Hollis. every one of them was
there, even the Ballet Girl He had
screwed the spike that decorated the
end OF his artificial leg into the foot
rest of his wooden stirrup and was rid
ing straight and well. his long gray
beard blowing back over his shoulder
The heavy pistol that always hung in
his belt was re-enforced by another, and
across his saddle rifle was balanced
While the boys noisily greeted Lee
and Spider the foreman rode directly
up to me and without preamble began
to explain the suddenness of his appear.
ance.
"You see, didn say wouldn start
OH before the time set. " said he. 81
didn mean ter. though. when you left
but the boys they got dead anxious
Theirs been lot er them rustlers fom
Aqua Caliente hangin roun the place,
an we all thought you mighter stacked
up agalns' some trouble. So the BOYS
got kinder scared up for you. Why.
even the Bally Curl, he starts ont an
gives ME fits fer lettn you go without
the lot of us back er you. He saddles up
a horse an gets out his guns an swears
he'll lead the boys himself if don't
start out. He's dead game, the Bally
Curl is. an l tell you these boys is a
mighty good lot er boys"
but ]. told you particularly that Won
weren't to attack Aqua Caliente," said
l reproachfully. "You weren't going
to do that, were your" The foreman
looked somewhat dubious.
Dunno" he said candidly. 1.-THE
boys was kinder mad, an if we hadn't
found you reckon they'd a give Aqua
Caliente little shake up whether I'd
let 'em or not. Min" he added, with
his usual scrupulous regard for the
truth. 81 didn't cay wouldn't or let
'em. Where's Hollis2''
had no idea where Hollis was; was
about to ask the same question myself
The foreman went about among the
men, making inquiries. but no one had
seen him or apparently felt much trou-
bled about his absence.
HE drawed all the pay that was
a-comin to him, didn't her asked one
Of the men. "Well. then. he JUS took
an skipped over to Lorena an his gang,
where he belongs; that's all. That
seemed to be the general opinion. and
there was decided feeling of relief
that he was no longer with u.s.
The cattle moved along merrily, each
man doing his best to hurry them.
Never before had l imagined that 8
wooden leg could be used to advantage
in driving cattle; but. when welded
by the Ballet Girl. found that it had
wonderfully accelerating effect.
When at last we reached the camp, /
was thoroughly tired out. My ankle
and wrist ached, and there was nothing
desired 80 much as rest. started at
once for my tent. and as did SO Spider
rode up to the foreman and asked what
orders there were fo- the day.
'Ordersy Why, you little fool, your
pony can't hardly stand on his legs, an
you'll tumble outer the saddle in a lit
tie more. replied the foreman. with q
gruftness assumed to cover his approba.
tion of the boy. "Go'n turn your pony
ont an turn yourself in. Quick. now.
fore ! make you.
Tumbling on my cot. dressed as ]
was, slept for 1rs. On waking he.
came conscious o. he rumble of distant
thunder The brilliant sunlight, that
usually lit the desert until it was near
~ as dazzling as snow. had disappeared,
leaving the sand cold and gray. !
thought that dusk had fallen but my
watch told me that the middle of the
afternoon had barely passed.
"Reckon we're a-gonter have little
weather. remarked the foreman, who
met me as ! came out of my tent. "Jus
look over yander." He pointed to the
eastern horizon. where masses of dark
clouds. veined here and there with red
lightning flashes, were piling them.
selves up into the sky. From the north
another storm was rising. even more
rapidly.
Except the foreman and the Ballet
Girl none Of our men were in the
camp. Some distance away the cattle,
that had been brought in the night be-
fore and had failed to wander off to
sufficient distance during the absence
of the men. were gathered on the mesa,
guarded by Spider and Lee, who were
riding around them at steady lope in
opposite directions The two thunder
clouds rose higher and higher. spread
ing around the horizon and narrowing
the strip Of blue sky that still shone be-
tween them.
ut ain't common ter have one thun.
derstorm round here. let alone two.
observed the foreman. 1.-THE cattle feels
the thupder. too-they re gettin oneasy
Reckon ! better gO'n give the BOYS a