Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-06-11

gaunt, sandy-haired young Canadian
came hurrying upon the scene; "giv'
me a proper welcome to your Eldora
do, for
| But he went Off in dead swoon.
When he opened his eyes again M
was lying in bunk in the principa
room Of the ranch. Homemade chair:
and benches covered with undresset
leather, stood here and there about the
place. On the wall overhead were
nailed leather cases for revolvers. two
Winchester rifles occupied one corner;
in another lay a heap Of saddles and
lsheepskins. Over the bunk the lord o.
the ranch bent anxiously.
"In the name Of all that's mysterious
Fleetwood. explain this singular mode
Of arrival" he cried.
Betwixt a laugh and a groan, Fleet
wood answered with two words
BLACK Dave"
The old herder, Hoxie, dropped the
tallow dip he was holding, and leaped
q foot into the air. His weather-beat-
en- face, scanned with curious wrinkles
grew as gray as ashes.
BLACK Dave-ten thousand devils!
he gasped.
do you mean to say, Fleetwood, that
you have been robbed and shot by that
villainous road agent?" cried Crawford
Don't mind Hoxie. For private rea-
sons he would rather at any time hear
the crack of doom than Dawes name.
1--WE been shot, but not robbed, II
appears" answered Fleetwood, "foI
here are my watch and purse" hold
ing up the treasure which Dave had
restored to him. Then he told his story
briefly. They opened the pocket-book
ing had been abstracted.
"'Pon my soul, this is an extraordi-
nary thing!" said Crawford "but tell
no more Of 1t now, dear boy, you are
too weak. OF course, I got your let
ters, and was looking for you by every
stage; but I scarcely expected you to
be delivered at the door like a bundle
of wool, and by that prince of thieves
and cutthroats, too! You are more
than two thirds killed, to say the least
Luckily, Hoxie Is something Of doc
tor, and a capital nurse also. I shall
detail him to take care Of you" He
waved his hand around his domicile
mo luxuries here; as you see, my boy
only two rooms In the cabin-bare
floors, bare walls-not woman with
in radius Of ten miles. If there is
anything upon which I pride myself
1t is my perfect freedom from all
petticoat government! Hoxie Is COOK
and housekeeper. He sews on the but
tons and mends the socks, he makes
the bread and coffee, and roasts the
mutton. Queer fellow is Hoxie-has a
history of his own. What do you
think he. was doing the first time
ever saw him? Why hanging from the
branch of a tree with stout rope
around his neck! Yes, luxuries
are scarce at the ranch, but we abound
in necessities, and among the latter we
reckon a. medicine chest and a case OF
surgical instruments. fear, my boy
you will have to cultivate an intimate
acquaintance with both" ....
The next morning the corral gates
OF Crawford's ranch were opened, and
the bleating sheep driven out upon the
range by Mexican Juan, while the
herder, Hoxie, remained behind to alb
stract the robbers bullets from Fleet
woods body and otherwise care for the
comfort Of this wounded guest.
An anxious hush settled on the busy
ranch. Crawford pulled his sandy
beard, and ventured to remark: eve
had better send for the nearest doctor
Hoxie"
What for, sir?" demanded Hoxie
sharply, don't know what fever is?
Hain't I seen wounds afore today
hain't I probed for bullets? I reckon
Leave him to me. There amt any
room for doctors in this yer cabin"
Remember man, he's as dear to me
same dull Canadian village-we have
been good comrades always, and, to
tell the truth, I am responsible fol
this whole nefarious business; for II
was my letters, my glowing accounts
Of sheep ranches, and merinos ano
California stock which brought him
here to Colorado, and If he dies on oul
hands I shall feel like his murderer"
He's worth a dozen dead men, re-
piled Hoxie, dryly. I'll pull hin
through, never fear"
And sure enough, under the old herd
ers excellent care, Fleetwood soon be-
gan to mend Fate had decreed thai
the young fellow should not perish by
the bullet Of a road agent.
One day Crawford sat cleaning
rifle in the ranch kitchen, while his
friend, gaunt and hollow eyed, but now
making rapid progress toward recov-
cry, watched him languidly from his
bunk.
Fleetwood, my boy" the ranchmar
was saying, i've but one passion ir
life-sheep, and their proper manage
ment Yes, Of course, l know 1t was
my highly colored accounts OF this
country, which lured you away from
your little, dull Canadian kingdom; bu'
you must see my herds, particularly
my Atwoods; you must ride over my
range, fully to understand my enthusi-
asm Like all tenderfeet-thats oul
name for new comers-youH FIND
things in ranchman's life that you
may not like; but, by Jove, we have
our compensations! Nothing like this
Rocky Mountain air to expand a mans
lungs. was we'll gone in phthisiS
when 1 came out here, you remember
and now l call myself sound man.
Maud has no sign Of phthisis, so
fear she will not be influenced by tha'
fact" answered Fleetwood.
Crawford's face fell.
"Maud?-oh, yes! your betrothed.
forgot that you were not free man
Well, it's true that ladies in genera
don't take kindly to ranch life; bu'
it's the Eden Of men. There's money