Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1905-01-25
CHAPTER Xxx.
UNwELCoME VISITORS.

For mofhent Martin stood looking
at these men in speechless astonish-
ment. He had fancied them far away
on their understanding cruise, and
now they were back-and for what
purpose.
Good evening, gentlemen" said
Martin, with the best grace he could;
and advancing to meet them, "have
you found your man yet?"
1--WE haven't" answered the leader
in a curious tone, but we think we
shall if we stay around here long
enough" Then, glancing at his COM
panion, he added, do you do most of
your canoeing by night?"
81 do" responded Martin, laughing
slightly, and not at all abashed, ''if l
want to make time and protect an in
nocent man."
Il presume you know" returned the
officer, almost insolently, that warn
! ing suspected criminal or aiding him
to escape exposes you to arrest?"
Il do" answered Martin, firmly, "and
also that arresting a man without a
specific warrant and proof that he is
| the criminal wanted, lays even an Off
Ger open to arrest and prosecution.
| Now you have with you, no doubt, a
warrant for the arrest of one Mcclure,
a criminal in hiding. gave you, some
three weeks ago, what l believed to be
| directions where you could find- him.
You doubted my word of honor as a
| gentleman, and came here. You found
a cabin that had been vacated for many
| weeks; you remained in it over night,
committing two crimes, trespass and
stealing, and then went your way The
owner of this cabin is an old friend of
mine whom / know well, and he is back
again now. You can arrest him, of
course, but at your own peril. If you
do, assure you, am worth and will
spend $4,000 to land you in Jail for
so doing. Now, gentlemen, we won't
waste words over this matter. Please
consider yourselves my guests, pitch
your tent here, and let us be sociable -
For moment the two newcomers
looked at one another, hardly knowing
whether to be civil or not The better
impulse won finally, and when Martin
as is customary, proffered flask, they
drank to his good health.
I'VE do not wish to annoy any one. :.
the leader asserted, when peace was
restored my names Scott, and this
man is my chum, John Smart. We
did come here, and of course made free
with an open shack. We don't doub,
your word as gentleman, but we have
been up the Moosehorn and don't fine
signs Of any patch or hut you described
and that's the story and why we are
here
You will be satisfied in two min
utes that this old hermit is not your
man. responded Martin, pleasantly
He is poor fellow, almost a chile
now, and my old friend you saw with
me was his intimate friend years ago.
After the two officers had pitched
their tent, cooked and eaten supper be
side Martins fire, they all gathered
: around it and he told the old hermit.
! story. The wild mans night visi
months before was not omitted. ant
the hidden cabin, with its bell signal
was again described.
The two officers also proved to b,
decent men on acquaintance
: Il should not have taken that all
night paddle" asserted Martin, wheI
his story ended, eff you had no
doubted my word. and tomorrow, if
find it wise to leave my old frien,
alone here with the hermit, I'll 6,
with you up the Moosehorn and shov
you that cabin. 1t may not be occu
pied now, but it was then" =
When morning came, Oflcer Scot
= proved himself worthy of respect b,