Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-06

among the scattered bosses an run cou-
pie into the bushes. Then you'll join me,
an we'll git EN- over 'tother side the
mountain by mornin', to that man Snanks
He'll buy anything at half what it's with,
an not ask question. Tomorrer he'll slip
'em over the line into another state an
thatN be end of the matter only that
you an me will have forty or fifty dollars
apiece"
bill Todd got caught up with when he
tried to run a boss from Hinckle's last
year" said Hamp. thoughtfully. Hes in
jail YETI
That's f'runt,' contemptuously. "Hinc-
ke had pair of eyes in every fence post
on his place: an besides. you know Bill
Todd. A cow could catch up with him.
Will you go?"
"Wfl go?" Hamp turned suddenly, with
face TRANSPORTED. He was another man,
l go?' he repeated. Man, I'd go If there
was two pairs Of eyes in every post, an
each pair sightin' me across gun barrel.
Amt Tvke comm for an answer tomor-
rer? I'd give up cause / couldn't see no
| wav: If could. an twas to pull down the
| moon. I'd kick my legs an arms off airy
in. You amt looked in Posey's eyes an
seen what l have. Come
Sam grinned deriseively.
Been hangin' round Posey bout three
years highs 1 can rec'lect," he comment
ed IAN amt never had squirt like THIS
afore not even squirt big nough TO steer
We into a pair of shoes for meetin' day.
Reckon Tykes crossin the trail has sort
of stirred We up. But come on. They's no
sort of hurry. for faint noon YETI but l
don't reckon yed be satisfied to wait now
we've struck a scent.
1t was ten miles to the new settlement
down in the valley, but their long legs
made it in little less than two hours. As
they approached the cluster of dwellings,
which were taking the place of the big
| barn and stock yards, they noticed what
,al rinU for aI-ar he
building of a village Nor did they hear
the sounds of saws and hammers. Instead,
| nOndescript wagons were standing about,
| with horses hitched to wheels or taiboards;
| other horses were fastened to the fences,
| with saddles on. and men were walking
| about gathered in groups in earnest dis
cussion. Hamp and Sam paused irresolute-
| ly and locked at each other; then sam nod
| ded. his face clearing.
| Election, of course he said II heered
| they was goin to call the neighborhood to-
| gether to talk over school house an
| court house. an to 'lect town officers an
| sheriff, but didn't know when. This is It,
| Wall" refectively. Il don't reckon it'll
| make any difference TO US. Only stead of
| skuikin' off one side I'll go straight on
! with you into the crowd. Two more won't
| make no jar Well sidle round an make
| friends till bout dark, then I'll slip couple
| of bosses into the bushes an tie 'em. Folks
| won't notice with so much goin on, an
| you maxim yourself CONSPICUOUS all the
| time. AFTER d W0lle L IL COiHt SlTOillH DdCh
| unccncerned like, an you an nell talk
| some with everybody, an then prance off
| straight opposite. circin' round to the
bosses arter dark. That'!l prove an allerbi
| in case ones needed. But look yonder."
Hamp turned. A big negro heading
| directly toward them. running at full
| speed. But as he drew near and saw them,
| he suddenly swerved. sprang over fence,
| and sped across a field toward the nearest
| wood. With a "somethins done broke"
! Hamp cleared the fence at bound and
sped after him. The negro was large man
| and a good runner, but Hamp was larger
and swifter. AT the end of hundred
| yards dash his hand dropped heavily upon
| the negro's shoulder, swung him round and
began to drag him back to the group of
men who had by this time Joined Sam
Ding me II that want the best capture
| ever saw" called one of them delighted
ly. as Hamp approached with his prisoner.
"A clean jump an run, an clutch like a
steel trap. That's the way folks ought to
be took. Come to lection, s'pose?"
why, yes, sort Of" Hamp acquiesced,
me an my friend Sam lowed we'd step
round an git 'quainted little"
That's right that's right! heartily.
I'VE want everybody round to jine in with
US an git law an conveniences started.
We need 'em, bad. This black feller's been
maxim chicken business pretty brisk lately,
but we didn't have any lawful place to shet
him up. I've kept him tied in my barn
three days, waitin' for lection to provide
Bout ten miles,
wall, that's pretty close in a neighbor-
hood like this; but / hope you'll come in
closer still. It's mighty good thing to
have neighbor who can capture criminals
in such an easy, off-hand way. Folks'Il all
be glad to know you. See." smiling and
nodding significantly toward a group that
was hurrying toward them, there comes
a passle now. S'pose you tell me your
name so ] can do the talkin'."
Hamp glanced sideways at Sam; but Sam
was looking straight ahead and did not ap-
pear to see him. Still. In spite OF the grav-
ity OF the face, he was conscious of a slow,