The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-05-29


negroes came up. They were both hard
looking cases; one was in prison for steal
ing horse, the other FOR abusing a white
woman when she refused to give hin
something to eat. This one would not
need Jail in some parts of Texas, anC
he probably would not need it i'm Hills
boro now.
Our men were sent below, and we went
to the hotel. We put our horses up, and
placed the man who had driven the
wagon under guard. He wanted to keeI
on to the railroad.
''Not this time" Carter told him. 81
want you to haul those men back to where
you started from with them, and you will
be playing in big luck if l can't land you
in Jail then, and try you for assisting de-
serters to escape"
to know if the Lieutenant could have him
tried. YES" 1 told him, ''and may have
you sent up for 10 years. Do you want
a lawyer? am one"
NO" he said; he had good one in
Weatherford.
| I'll have to prosecute you, then, and
make that good one of yours look like
no lawyer at ALL" l told him. You had
| Letter retain me-"
| mo-" he did not need me.
| We made butt Of the old fellow, I'M
til we finally let him go few days after.
wards.
While we were putting up our horses
the landlord told us that there had been
a man there an hour ago who had pistol
just Ike ours.
did lie have a holster like mine" I
asked
Yes, just Ike it."
I'VE want him. / said Then to the
Sergeant, DO you want to hunt him,
JackT'
No" he told me; Il am tired out. You
hunt him. You have the most Of them
so far: get him."
Going on to the hotel told Carter
about the man.
Search the town for him." he told me;
but don't miss your dinner"
I'll keep his dinner for him." the land
lord said. Then. look all over town for
him. and get him if you cam said Carter.
started out, but had gone only block
wnen man in front of a grocery store
stopped me. and asked how much one Of
those pistols that / carried was worth.
| had two.
This one" 1 said, pointing to my Gov
| eminent pistol, SIS worth only S13, but il
would cost me $50 if l lost or sold it.
The other is my own, but you could not
buy. it from me. 1t has killed too many
Indians for me to sell it." 1t had never
killed any, as far as / knew although I
had shot at them with it: but if you want
to stand high in Texans estimation, an
nounce yourself to be an Indian killer:
that takes with them.
wei, there was a man along here
short time ago who wanted to sell me one
for 3d." said the storekeeper.
Yes. so ] heard. 1 want to see him.
Where did he go?'
Right up the street. sir"
followed the direction indicated, but I
saw nothing OF this man until had got to
the edge of town. Here a beer saloon
stood with sign on it which read on one
side; The Last Chance" aud on the 9TH
er Inc FIRST Chance" On that side one
wouid pc coming INTO town, and this would
be the first chance to ''irrigate."
looked in here and saw my man. He
stood with his back to me, talking to the
barkeeper: he had his pistol yet drew
one of mine and threw up the hammer.
then stepped inside just as the man turned
his head: and saw that did not know
him. Throw up your hands, told him,
and his hands went up. Then, stepping
close TO him, l took his pistol. The bar
keeper started to come from behind thc
par. Remain where you are" told him.
arrest this man as deserter; don't
interfere. oh! All right" he said. then
went behind his bar again.
MY prisoner now wanted to know il he
could not have drink. eyes. take one
on me-" said. then told the barkeener to
I'LL them for the three Of us. Their the
sarkeeper set 'em up, and then the
prisoner wanted to do so; but / snid: eNo
more just now. / want to 90 back sober.
and take you in the same condition also.'
We came out now, and my prisoner asked:
Who is in command here?'' Lieut.. Car
ter is" Then that settles me-" .'Why?"
know me?" Not in that bntternnt sn;t
l knew your pistol, though; you were a
fool to keep it on you, or to stop here af
ALL 1t has given you away" IL meant
10 stay here. l thought would be safe
enough here" He told me his name. and
! now knew him. He was not one of these
recrhi.s, but had been with us four years.