The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-06-05


"Ah, get out. Tomkinsw said the Cap
tain, trying 10 smile as the men
shufled out OF his tent, but he looked
uncomfortable, and he saw that his
men agreed IN their estimate Of the
new ranger
Holiday met Tomklns half way be-
tween the corral and the camp and
said: "TomkIns, do you know where
Pete is living IN Juarez?"
NAV. don't know whar he's Twin"
snapped the suspicious fellow, striding
after his saddle and bride. Il seen
him dcalin faro In Del Nodars monte
an got him spotted SOS he can't get
no letters there 'tbout me KNOWN II.
Hear that Mr.. Tcnderfoot'
But Holiday only sneaked back to
his tent and sat down ut the soap box
which served him as n table. With
much effort and many loving touches
Of the pen he finished addressing his
letter Then he saddled his pony, and
leading It before Captain Crews tent
saluted and said
Captain, I'd like leave Of absence
TIL midnight"
Crews eyed him fuytiycly from the
corners Of his bright gray eyes, saw
the end Of a letter pceping from tho
pocket Of his blouse coughed, hesl-
tated and then drawled: All right,
| Holiday. won't ask you what you're
up to- but don't mind telling you that
the boys are saying ugly things"
Il know It, sir. hope you doa't
believe everything you near"
"N-no-oo, but, Holiday! You'll be
careful what you say and do, won't
you? I've my heart set on getting
this Pete Dimiti. There are seven
warrants out for him, and I'd give a
week Of my life If this troop could
land him"
"Ill not spoil our chances, sir. You
can bet on that" And the big suspect
stalked away with the light Of n lover
in his black eyes and the spring OF
+ young fervor in his tread.
) But when he had ridden away, the
Captain summoned Tomkins and said:
Tommy, l don't like the idea Of
spotting one Of my own men, but
"I'll watch him like hawk, sir, -
anticipated the bowlegged bully.
? "But not a word TO anyone, Tom.
/ And promise me"
s Eyes, Captain"
"If it turns out that Holiday is all
/ right you'll stop this backcapping and
+ make friends with him."
: "Ill 80 you better, sir. I'll beg his
] pardon"
4 HE has leave till midnight. So have
YOU"
+ And Tomkins, grinning maIciously
:. got on his pony and uailed awaJ
n toward the river And all that day
like a stealthy shadow Tomkins stalkct
+ his man.
Il At O'Clock from his hiding place II
n a doorway Tomkins saw the dude
II come out of Wan Lees restaurant
4 mount his pony and lope leisurei!
away toward the west A mile from
4 town he turned toward the river, aIC
il riding in the shallow water so as t,
/ leave no trail, went pacing slowly dow
S, stream toward the low wooden bridg
Ii which spanned tine shallow rive? be
Il tween old Paso del Norte and tn
American town. Tomkins, riding on
r of sight and hearing, in parallel wit
d his quarry, saw Holiday stop like
blacker shadow in the shelter Of tn
d bridge, his ponys head almost on
level with the low floor Of the centra
span. Tomkins crossed the approac
le and driving his pony down into tn
X ooze of the eastern side dismounte
is and tied it among the willows. TIC
he crept into the yellow shadows
he was opposite Holiday, raised n
self into the low timbers of the briG
and peercd up and down the viadut
in search OF the woman, o. was it Par
handle Pete he should see at this lone
ly rendezvous? Even as he watche
he saw the outlaw skulking along tn
western sidewalk Of the bridge. II
loitered, scanned the American a
prOach, turned his back upon the littI
mule car which passed, and then, wit
q light spring, sat upon the top rail {
the fence-like guard ard began to maxi
a cigarette. He was lighting it whe
rs suddenly from the opposite side Tor
I'M llins heard the whistle OF a lariat.
tie woman screamed, Run, Pete, run
W. and the bulky body Of the outlaw fe
nv backward into the water. The watch
mt dropped down into the sand, got o.
nit his revolver, mounted his pony al
scrambled out OF the black SHADOW
- toward the shore. As he reached II
leTel he saw a horscman streaki1