The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-07-08
A Pair of Prospectors.
A NARRATIVE WHICH INVOLVES SOME
UNWRITTEN LAWS.

By Will LEXINGTON COMFORT.

like the first Frek, could bide his
thirst, camel-fashion. In short. man
would be just as safe running with
can of nitro-glcerine through jammed
freight house in the dark as to have
the second Frek on his trail.
"Hullo, sheriff" Ditsey called pleas
antly. "Say," Muldoon questioned,
squirting up at the other. who're
you hitched to this trip"
Ditsey grew wise. looking at the lit
tie, SCARED. gritty face below He
scrutinized the canyon and the sky,
and answered mildly. "'Pears t me,
I'm hittin it up alone. sheriff"
Muldoon was quiet for half min
ute, then volunteered: I'm out fur a
sneak, Ditsey, that's too mean fur
shootin'. That's why I'll take him
back alive-allus exceptin' the chance
that he squirms. If he sQuirms, l ride
back to Campinas alone. and l guess
the populace will take my word fur
his funeral. I crossed the canyon two
days ago back at the Mutton trail. The
trail said thay was two of you. Ditsey,
quit lyin'!"
rs the chap you want a young teller
with a clean face. sheriff." the pros
pector asked craftily. after pause.
81 reckon you couldn't miss it wild
err" Muldoon remarked His squintly
black eyes were storming the others
intelligence.
what did he do over your way
this feller?" Forncrook faltered.
Among other tri1es. he killed
man fur money-a decent man! He's
clean loco when there's money in
sight"
There was another pause, in which
the prospector struggled with primary
laws and a memory Of the morning;
while Muldoon listened intently, his
ear close to the limestone wall of the
canyon. The latter raised his head
finally with a smile as hard and cold
&C ice.
"I've known you fur years. Ditsey,"
he said slowly. "You amt no trailin'
arburtus that 'ud sicken an die il
the props was knocked frum under.
There amt no better man in these
parts, but if you've happened onto
prick-eared, dirty-eyed, pox-branded
pardner, then I'm going to take him
back to Campinas, er leave him here
fur the pore vultures Somebody's
COMMIT"
Muldoon read all that he cared to
know in the face of the other. He
bent forward to listen a second time;
and Just at this instant Ditsey leaped
upon him. The weapons of the little
sheriff were taken away without tend
erness.
81 want t. return tn compliment,
sheriff." the man on top painted. Thar
amt better man than you in these
parts-but he's my pardner! So fur
es / knows. he's been square-done
his days work each daylight, 'ceptin'
| today. | can't stand by, sheriff-you
see, I can't, being his pardner!"
81 didn't think you'd do it, Ditsey,"
| Muldoon muttered with little appear
ance of hate.
I'm his pardner, sheriff! hopes l
didn't hurt you!"
"If you'd a-stumbled onto any gold"
Muldoon said gloomily after a moment,
"he'd a-been workin it alone. That's
the sort of pardner he'd a-been to
you. I'll get him Ditsey!"
'T've taken care of one Forncrook
when this was a newer country, sher-
iff."
Thus they represented their laws
while the twilight crawled up from the
river-bed and dimmed the ribbon of
sky. They both heard footsteps now,
but as "Fire-pox" turned the swerve
of the gorge, only Muldoon saw him.
Ditsey was covering the sheriff with
all his eyes and some metal reinforce
ment
Here's a man ses he wants you,
Fire-pox," Forncrook called without
moving his head. EFF you don't want
t. see him. grab snack o provisions
from the packs an git! III keep the
sheriff here till tn mornfn'!"
There was low, shaking cry from
"Fire-pox" then frenzied clatter Of