Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1905-10-10
CHAPTER xxIII.-fContinued.

The man knew nothing of any person
of that name. nor did he seem to recog-
nize the fat drunkard with an inordinate
appetite for rum, even when Jethroe de-
scribed him.
No such party as that along with ON
crowd said the man.
At this point Harvey called out to
signal the approach of the cart, which,
when it appeared, turned out to be no
more than floor on wheels, the willy
Jethroe having stipulated that its front
and sides should be removed, lest it
might be utilized to conceal an enemy
sufficiently numerous to overwhelm him
at close quarters The provision had
been received with marked disfavor
among the men of Little Williams com
mando, but, learning that the appearance
OF the cart in any other condition than
that stipulated for would be treated as
proclamation of treason, and that the
hostages would be shot at once as con-
sequence, they recognized-not for the
hrst time-the quality of the man with
whom they had to deal, and gave an
unwilling assent to his arrangement So
the two wounded and the one dead man
were quietly carried away. The carter
proved to be an old acquaintance
member Of the original frm-and he and
Jethroe had a talk together in memory
of old times.
'lou understand" said Jethroe cheer
fully, that in case of a night attack
make it my first business to deal with
Little William"
Quite So" replied the desperate, as
coolly as if they had been discussing
fractional percentage. 'Ill let 'em know
what you say So long, mateyw
1--WE shall be left alone tonight said
Jethroe; but they're too strong for US.
We've lost Sinbad's valley, Harvey. If
it hadn't been for those harmed myers
who delayed us last night we might at
least have seen the promised land. Now
I'm afraid We shan't even get look at
it."
The half-breed called out something
in his own language, and Jethroe walk
ed toward him with a grunt of inquiry.
The fellow spoke again.
Harvey" called Jethroe. "tbis scoup-
drel's conscious. Come and have a look
at him."
Plain Mr.. Smiths eyes were open, and
plain Mr.. Smiths lips were moving, but
no ineligible sound issued. Jethroe
knelt down by him, gave him a weak
dose of spirit and water and moistened
his temples and under his ears with
whisky. 1t was done quite business-like,
without apparent emotion OF any sort.
You know where you are, | sup
pose?" he asked. You know who's got
hold of you?'
To each question the eyelids answ cred
Yes" and there was q cynical, trucu-
lent something in the brute's face which
showed that he was not yet subdued.
Jethroe put an arm about the suffer
er's neck and raised him to a sitting pos
ture The stanch villain went gray in
the face, but he made no sound, and
when a reviving draught was set to his
lips he drank it as if it had been milk.
The color flowed back into his face, and
he said in a seedy voice:
Prop me up a bit, and I'll talk to
YOU"
A packing case and a few blankets
served the turn which was asked of
them.
Now" said Jethroe, shredding tobac
60 for his pipe, and kneeling beside his
enemy, what have you got to say?
We've licked you, Harvey" said Lit
lie William. We're the first in Dia-
mond River, after ALL"
Yes" said Jethroe, you're first and
you're last"
He paused so long before the two
divisions of this brief speech and drop
ped the latter half of it with so much
intention. that the wounded man stared
at him in a kind Of stupid wonder.
We're first" he repeated dogedly
"And last" said Jethroe again.
What dye mean by that?" the other
asked him, with a curse.
You may know it IN good time If
you get BETTER" said Jethroe nodding
his head very slowly and looking at him
with eyes which fairly blazed, I'm show
you"
oh" said Little William, 1--WE got
my dose-I know that"
He moaned feebly, and then his weak
ness overcame him and he fell asleep.