Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1902-09-20
"A cold night, sir" said one OF the

surprised TO see such q company so
late; but q 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 breeches of snuff
color, top boots, a double breasted
waistcoat, with a frilled shirt and a
long DUFF 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 man disturb
himself to look at any n in particu-
lar, but the seat assigned to him near
the rest of us. One of the strangers
spoke to Acton after a moment.
"You say that o hav come from
the westward, sir. Did you find the
o free from traffic?"
Il met not a soul from the time 1 left
the river"
1--WE two are bound westward, and t
Is said the road to Gowan's Ferry is full
of these wild SINNERS and cowboys"
II can answer for that road" volun-
teered Cutris. mot a soul is stirring
tonight, for 1 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 was working in mine. These two
men coming from the east had a suspic-
lou manner. Neither of us could have
said just Why at that moment, but by
this glance we both agreed to watch
them. The meal vent 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?" 1 asked under
my breath.
Wait" said Curtis in the same voice,
and then he added aloud: Master
err"
Holt, sir, at your bidding, sir said
the landlord, trying to bend his fat
belly IN a bow and rubbing his hands
together.
Master Holt, can you give me a room
tonight?"
well, yes, gentlemen" said the tav-
ern keeper effusively. Certainly, GER
tainly. l suppose, now, these two gen.
tlemen,' pointing to the two men from
the east, will nave a room by them
selves-a large room t is, at that, sir,
and l can give you three gentlemen &C
c"ommodation 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 a now Juggling at
his coat. The host stopped and listened
to what the boy had to 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 t, Holt, man? What's to
do?" cried the two soldiers.
ooh, Lord! Oh! they're here again.
they've been here before. / know 'em.
They know l have a little set by for my
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 | cried out:
We'll, man, what in the DEVILS name
ails thee? Speak up"
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 IRON door and pull
the shutters to-"
Evidently the landlord had q little
sense left, for I'm 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 one of the two soldiers
stepped to the front window to close
the wooden shutters. His head had
scarcely passed through the frame when
q loud report came to us from outside,
and the pOor fellow rolled back and fell
upon the floor, shot clean through the
head.
n was quite enough to break the spell
that hung over us. Every n was
talking and running to blockade win
lows with tables and chairs, for most
men Of those days had had some train
ing in such scene before now Curtis,
Acton, and 1 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.
CT is bad, badi" / muttered.
0 the contrary" said Curtis, moth
ing could be more fortunate"
Il do not see it in that light" ans
wered I, testify. I'VE shall be separated
without having talked"
ION the contrary, again, my friend,
We can now talk without fear of inter-
ruption; 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 he killed, and then our
expedition will fail" cried L.
Nay, nay" said Acton, Rob has the
right of it. We need have no fear of
interruption now We can"
Master Holt, turn out the light"
cried l sharply, then they cannot see."
Out went the light Instantly. Outside
every noise ceased as If by magic.
"Well, how shall we talk?" muttered
/, for it seemed the last straw-this I'M
timely attack.
Hold thy tongue, man, n I'll show
thee said Curtis. Holt" he contin-
ued, land you, sirs, come over this way.
So, now landlord, you are attacked, l
see"
Attacked? My God, I'm ruined. I'm
a lead man-''
That you will be, if you do not act"
But what "a / do?"
Have o guns?"
AYE, three"
Very well; do you, your wife and
this remaining soldier with the boy up
stairs with two OF the guns and fire
down on these men from above"
I'VE can fire through the old loop
holes" said his wife.
Good, so much the better. These
two men and myself will take the
ground floor front and kill any one who
tries to enter. The two gentlemen who
have just eaten with us will guard the
ear OF the house"
But l."
Il crash now sounded in the hall.
THE door! the door!" cried the land
lord n his wife in one voice.
You see, there is no time to lose"
said the cold. clear voice of Cutris. In
deed, the GOODNESS of the mar and the
reason in all he said made us in
stinctively put ourselves under his com
mand, and in n few moments the two
strangers were in the kitchen, watch
ing the rear door, the tavern keeper
and his wife with the boy and the sol
cier We're upstairs; and we three were
barricading the weakened door by a de-
vice of .Cutris,' which consisted of a