The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-12-05

Hampton Glued His Anxious Eyes to
the Glass"
pectedly out of the black night, startled
him more than would a volley of rifles.
He sprang half erect, then as swiftly
crouched behind a willow, utterly IN
able to articulate. For the instant his
very blood ran cold; he appeared to
shrivel up.
"Oh, come, Murphy; speak up, man;
know you're in here"
That terror Of the unknown instant
ly vanished. This was the familiar
language of the world, and, however
the fellow came to be there, it was
assuredly man who spoke.
"Who-the hell-are ye?" he blurt-
ed out.
The visitor laughed, the bushes
rustling as he pushed toward the
sound of the voice. IT'S all right, old
boy. Gave We quite a scare, l reckon"
Murphy could now dimly perceive
the other advancing through the inter-
vening willows, and his Colt shot up
to the level. "Stop!-ye take another
step an Tll-let drive. Ye tell me
-frst-who We be-"
The invader paused, but he realized
the nervous finger pressing the trigger
and made haste to answer. It's all
right, l tell We. I'm one O. Terry's
scouts"
I'VE are? Jist the same-I've heard
yer voice-afore."
Likely 'nough. saw service in the
Seventh"
Murphy was still a trifie suspicious.
How'd We git yere? How'd we come
ter know-whar | wus?"
The. man laughed again. "Sorter
hurts yer Professional feelins, don't it,
old Teller, to be dropped in on in this
unceremonious way? But it was dead
easy, old man. Ye see l happened
thro' Cheyenne only couple O. hours
behind ye, with a bunch O. papers fer
the Yellowstone. The trails plain
enough out this far, and I Hoped long
at pretty fair hickory, so tibet l was
up on the bluff yonder, and saw We go
into camp yere just afore dark. You
wus a-keepin' yer eyes skinned across
the Fourche, and naturally didn't ex-
pect no callers from them hills be
hind. The rest wus nuthin', an here |
am. It's a darn sight pleasanter ter
hev company travelin', ter my notion
Now kin ] cum on?"
Murphy reluctantly lowered his Colt
every movement betraying annoyance
Il reckon. But ida damn sight
rather risk it-alone."
The stranger came forward without
further hesitation. The night was far
too dark to reveal features, but to
Murphys strained vision the new
conner appeared somewhat slender in
build, and of good height.
"Whar dye say ye-wus bound?"
Mouth O the Powder We kin ride
tergether fer night or two"
I'VE kin-do as ye-please, butt
amt huntin'-no company,-a I'm
a'-goin' cross now"
He advanced a few strides toward
his horses. Then suddenly he gave
vent to a smothered cry, so startling
as to cause the stranger to spring
hastily after him.
oh! My Cod Oh, Look there"
What is it, MANI"
There, there, The picture! Don't
you see?"
Nav; l don't see nuthin'. Ye amt
gone cracked, hev ye? Whose pic
ture?"
IT'S thereto Lord,-it's there!
My God! can't ye see?-An' it's his
facial a-gleamin' with green flames
Holy Mary-an' l amt seen it
afore in-15 year,"
He seemed suddenly to collapse, and
the stranger permitted him to drop
limp to the earth.
Darn if I kin see anythin, old
man, but I'll scout round thar a bit,
jest ter ease yer mind, an see what l
kin skeer up
He had hardly taken a half dozen
steps before Murphy called after him
'Don't-don't go an leave me--it's
not there now-thet's queer!"
The other returned and stood gazing
down upon his huddled figure You're
fine scout! afeard O. spooks. Do we
take these yere turns often? Fer II
We do, l reckon as how I'd sooner be
ridin alone"
Murphy struggled to his feet and
gripped the others arm. Never he'd
nuthin' like it-afore But-but 1t was
thar-all creepy-an' green-aint seen
thet face-in Is vca~"
What face?"
"A fellow l knew-once. He
he's dead"
The other grunted disdainfully. Bad
luck ter see them sort" he volun-
teered, solemnly. Blame glad II
warn't me es see it, an don't know
as / keer much right now bout keep
in company with ye fer very long.
However. l reckon if either of us cal
culates on doin' much ridin' ternight,
we better stop foolin' with ghosts, an
go ter saddlin' up"
They made rapid work of it, the
newcomer proving somewhat loqua-
cious, yet holding his voice to a judi
cious whisper. 1t was he who led the
way down the bank, the four horses
slowly splashing through the shallow
unfair IN ho DoPo~o