The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-09-19

Aye, the years moving on" ans
Wered the big voiced soldier. 81
Bad! bad!" said I, softly, "but we
must wait for him."
Acton nodded. Meanwhile the new
Corners ordered a cold supper, the land
lord having nothing else, and sat them
down by the table near us. They had
scarcely settled to their meal when
again the door opened and Curtis en-
tered. Even the tavern keeper looked
surprised to see such a company SO
late; but a poke from his matter-of-
fact wife sent him about his business.
Curtis had changed his uniform and
was dressed like any well-to-do young
New Yorker in knee breaches Of snuff
color, top boots. a double breasted
Wa1stcoat, with a frilled shirt and g
long buff coat. He threw off a riding
coat and discovered his pistols and a
long hanger.
The calm, serious face was as COM
posed as usual, nor did the nan disturb
himself to look at any one in particu-
lar. but the seat assigned to him neal
the rest of us. One of the strangers
spoke to Acton after a moment.
"You say that you have come from
the Westward sir. Did you find the
road free from trafic?"
Il met not a soul from the time I left
the river
W two are bound westward, and It
Is said the road to Gowan's Ferry is full
of these wild SINNERS and cowboys
Il can answer for that road" volun-
teered Cutris. mot a soul is stirring
tonight, for I have but just come over
it,"
Meantime I had caught Curtis eye
and by an almost imperceptible move
ment saw the same thought in his mind
that wal working in mine. These two
men coming from the east had a: suspic-
1ous name Neither Of us could have
said just why at that moment, but by
this glance we both agreed to watch
them. The meal went on and In a few
moments the two strangers lit their
pipes and went over to the fire. Curtis
was still eating.
What are we to do?" I asked under
my breath.
wait" said Curtis in the same voice,
n then he added aloud: Master
| err"
Holt, sir, at your bidding, sir" said
the landlord, trying to bend his fat
Master Holt, can you give me a room
tonight?"
"Well, yes, gentlemen" said the tav-
ern keeper e~ffusively. H"C%ertainly, GER
tainly. I suppose, now, these two gen.
tlemen,' pointing to the. two men from
the east, will have a room by them
selves-a large room It is, at that, sir,
n I a give you three gentlemen ac-
commodation easily. Of course, in these
times, sirs, perhaps two will never mind
being together. We keep a fine tavern,
sirs, none such another the whole
country round, and my madam, She"
The landlord stopped abruptly and
turned around, for the door at the back
Of the room opened and a little shaver
! ran up to him and was now Juggling at
his coat The host stopped and listened
to what the boy had 20 say. Then out
rang a howl from him, and he turned
a clay color:
my God! Oh! oh! sirs, we shall all
be killed." and he wrung his hands.
What is It, Holt, man.? What's to
do?" cried the two soldiers.
"Oh, Lord! Oh! they're here again!
they've been here before. I know 'em.
They know I lave a little set by for my
I old age! I'm ruined! I'm ruined!' and
the tears rolled down his cheeks.
At this moment the shrieked
from behind the counter, and we knew
! that the wife had the news as we'll.
Every one had arisen and was stand
ing, when such an interruption at this
moment so bewildered and maddened
me that I cried out:
We'll, man, what in the DEVILS name
ails thee? Speak up!"
1.-THE SINNERS! the SINNERS! They're
coming to rob me-" screamed the terri
fed tavern keeper.
"In that case" said the calm voice
of Curtis, "'twould not be amiss to drop
that bar across the front door and pull
the shutters to-"
Evidently the landlord had a little
sense left, for in a bound he was at the
| door and had the huge iron bar in it's
place between two iron staples. At the
same moment n of the two soldiers
! stepped to the front window to close
the wooden shutters. His head had
scarcely passed through the frame when
a loud report came to us from outside,
| and the poor fellow rolled back and fell
upon the floor, shot clean through the
head. .-tG.. H~.
II was quite enough to break the spell
that hung over us. Every one was
talking. and running to blockade win
dows with tables and chairs, for most
men of those days had had some train
ing in such scenes before now. Curtis,
Acton, and I naturally drew together,
and as we thrust a table against a win
dow, another shot came through it, and
| a pounding began on the door.
"'T is bad, bad!" T muttered.
ION the contrary" said Curtis, moth
Ing could be more Fortunate
IT do not see it in that light" n
Wered I. testify. eve shall be separated
without having talked -
ON the contrary, sagain, my friend,
we can now talk without fear Of inter-
rnption; while before we should have
been hard put to it to find a way"
Another shot came through the table
and clipped a bit off the shoulder of
Actions coat.
But we shall be killed, and then our
expedition will fail,"a cried I.
May, nay" said Acton, "Rob has the
right of it. We need have no fear of
interruption now We n
master Holt, turn out the light"
cried I sharply then they cannot see"
IOut went the light Instantly. Outside
Eevery noise ceased as If by magic.
well, how shall we talk?" muttered
I, for it seemed the last straW-this un-
timely attack.
Hold thy tongue, man, and I'll show
thee said Curtis. Holt" he contin-
ued, ''and YOU, sirs, come over this way.
So. now landlord, you are attacked,
see.
Attacked? MY God. I'm ruined. Tn
a dead 3Es
.tTha you will be. If you do moi act
"Bnt what can 7 dog"
III YOU guns"