Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-12-26

orcr.
soul. He has walked most Of the dis
lance, for he is warmer walking, and
there are scarce enough quilts for
two"
They looked back A mile to the
rear trailed solitary man.
Squaw Charley made quick, ques-
tioning sign.
His name Is Matthew'S" said Da.
vid Bond, land his mission. | fear, is
a bad one. All the way he has urged
my poor Shadrach on and on, so that
we have hardly had time to rest and
eat. And all the day. as he rides or
tramps, he mutters TO himself. When
! ask him what he is saying he replies
You'll find out quick enough" and
curses more vilely than before"
The pung was now opposite the
stockade. Looking across the river
David Bond got his first view OF the
high walled prison with its ever NOV
ing and wary guards.
He pulled up his horse. ALAS" he
exclaimed mournfuly. how misguid-
ed they are-white and red men alikew
The pung slid on until the cut in the
river bank was reached. Again the
old man reined. Il cannot cross the
river while the ice Is so smooth Shad-
rach could not keep his feet And |
will not leave him behind. But where
can | stop on this side
CHANGING to the left he saw the line
of saloons. There. Charles" he said
81 shall drive there and ask for shell.
ter"
He turned the white horse into the
cut, AS they approached the shanties
woman's voice was heard, raised in
ribald song
God sends David Bond whittier he
is most needed" the old man murmur.
ed fervently.
A shingle sign was nailed ovec the
door Of the first building On It, in
bold. uneven letters, were the words,
climbed down and knocked.
There was 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 sQuintcd at cross purposes
over his fat turned up nose. filled the
entrance.
What in the devil do you want?"
he demanded roughly when he saw
David Bond, But his seeming anger
lily concealed his relief that it was not
an oiHcered guard searching for re-
creant soldiers.
II wish for nothing in the name of
the devil" was the simple answer.
But in the name Of God ask for a
roof"
THAT buck with you?" The squint
eyed man shut the door behind him
as he pointed at Squaw Charley.
mo. He lives in the stockade yon-
der"
"Oh, He's the one that goes prowl-
in round here day an night. sneakin'
an stealinv"
"He may prowl," said David Bond
stoutly, "but he does not steal, He is
n good, honest Indian"
The keeper OF the Troopers Delight
laughed i'm moderately. Get out. Who
ever heerd tell of a. honest Injun
ay"-tauntinGly-"w you an
your broomtall come from anyhow"
"From Dodge City"
dodge City," the man cried. Then
maybe you seen my brother there or
hecrd If he's comm. 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 n
face peering down upon them.
Hello" came the voice again
~ |io Babe! Hello, gran'pal You
bca, 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 oyercoat and landed beside them