Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-11-13

will not leave him behind. But where can I stop on this side?"
 Glancing to the left he saw the line of saloons. There. Charles" he said. q shall drive there and ask for shel. ter.'
 He turned the white horse into the cut As they approached the shanties a woman's voice was heard, raised in ribald song.
 God sends David Bond whither he is most needed" the old man murmur. ed fervently.
 A shingle sign was nailed over the door of the first building. On it, in bold, uneven letters, were the words, ''The Troopers Delight" David Bond climbed down and knocked.
 There was a moment of dead silence within. then sounds as if several per sons were moving about on tiptoe. Again silence. The old man knocked louder. After a short wait the door was thrown wide A thickset man. whose eyes squinted at cross purposes over his flat, turned up nose, filled the entrance.
 "What in the devil do you want?" he demanded roughly when he saw i David Bond. But his seeming anger i lilly concealed his relief that it was not an officered guard searching for re- creant soldiers.
 T wish for nothing in the name of the devil" was the simple answer. But in the name of God I ask for roof"
 That buck with you?' The squint eyed man shut the door behind him as he pointed at Squaw Charley.
 "No. He lives in the stockade yon- der"
 "Oh! He's the one that goes prowl- in round here day an night, sneakin' an stealin'!"
 He may prowl," said David Bond stoutly, "but he does not steal. He is good, honest Indian"
 The keeper of the Troopers Delight laughed immoderately. Get out! Who ever heerd tell of a honest Injun? Say"-tauntingly-"where'd you an your broomtail come from anyhow" From Dodge City"
 Dodge City!' the man cried. 'Then maybe you seen my brother there or heerd if he's comin'. Nick Matthews is his name"-
 David Bond lifted one hand and opened his mouth to answer. But the words stopped at his lips. For from the top of the high bank behind the line of shanties there came a shout. Looking up, the squint eyed man, Da- vid Bond and Squaw Charley saw face peering down upon them.
 "Hellow came the voice again. Hello, Babe! Hello, gran'pa! You beat me here, didn't y? Look out. I'm comin'."
 And amid an avalanche of snow, icicles, dirt and stones that frightened the milk white horse so that he all but overturned the pung Nick Mat thews tobogganed down the bank on his overcoat and landed beside them on the shelf.
 short cut" he said as he got up and shook out the coat. Well, Babe, old socks. how's things goin'? How he threw his thumb back over his shoulder toward the east-"how bout over there? What news y got?'
 Squaw Charley followed the direc. tion of the pointing.
 f,,ft %oo declared Babe. "Only just a day or two left of your six months, an they"- The two moved toward the shanty. whispering together.
 David Bond called to the brothers appealingly. May I put up hereT" he asked. Have you vacant building that I may share with Shadrach? have hay and food of my own"
 Nick Matthews came back. He had a putty colored face upon which his blond eyebrows failed to show, but he summoned look that was as near to a scowl as possible. Look a-here, gran'pa," he said. 'd' you think I'm goin' t let you sponge offen my frien's? ANbA bN d ADAA- nHVAs 4AuAu AbAAlG uAl the way firm Dodge City t keep tn redskins firm takin' your scalp? What more d. v want?" He gave a laugh in which there was no humOr, disclos- ing small teeth, ranged close and like the first set of child's.
 David Bond did not quail. You have accepted my hospitality for a month" he said. T ask nothing that is not justly mine"
 Matthews snapped his fingers de- risively. We can't have you here t snOop an spy" he declared. "Git"' As he turned to enter the shanty he came face 10 face with the Indian. What's thisy Then. noting the squaw skirt. "Gran'pa. who's your la dy frien'T
 Hate flashed across the pariah's face like forked lightning on a dark sky.
 "One of Sitting Bulls warriors" an- swered David Bond. and a good man.
 -Cncapapa. eh?' said Matthews. "I savvy their lingo" He plucked at Squaw CharIey's dress. "Our warrior wears fine garments. he jeered. speak ! ins in the Indian tongue. Then. with | another laugh. he followed his brother into the shanty and banged the door.
 David Bond took his horses bride ! We must find hospitality elsewhere. i Shadrach.- he said resignedIy. And ]. he headed the pung up the river. As | ke got back into the wagon box he !, looked round for Squzw Charley.