The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-05-17

Tamaraclk. and let mis- folks mavbe
ind him on the trail"
He'd tell EN- all about US here"
objected Smoky.
1t can't be done today" decided
The chief He's sick Give him a
show 10 git little better"
Bin began to swear again. His
anger rose IN proportion as he felt the
leader knew OF the danger TO them all
attending the presence of the helpless
child in the cabin.
When the time comes Larry
Bart. he said. and we're ketched
Ike lot or craWlin' rats. and All on
account or you beln' soft as a rotten
pear over this here brat-W'hy. you
look out fer trouble, here Ia camp"
Bar was keenly aware OF the risk
he was hourly mourning with his sick
little guest beneath the roof. but he
meant 10 stand his ground
He had almost been in a mood TO beg
for ume-to appeal TO the something
decent remaining IN his Iawless fol-
lowing. Now. however, he became the
hard, untiinching master once again.
Bill, don't you give yourself away
Ter treacherous sneak" ne said. I'D
just as soon kill you as RATHER. You
know that And again. you wouldn't
dare 10 shoot at me unless 1 vas dead
as a sailed cod. WHAT'S the matter
With breakfast. anyhow? No wonder
we're all on the fight"
The breakfast was presently served.
1t consisted of half-cooked beans and
some stun that passed for coffee.
Bart awakened the pale little fellow
in the berth. and brought him TO the
table. He sat on the great. rough
knee. his little cheek laid YEARLY on
the outlaws coat. his dulled eyes list
lessly turning from one of the men 70
another.
Dummy can't you eat a little break
fast?" queried Bart, in an attempted
tenderness. Not a little bite?"
Dummy slowly shook HIS head.
How you feelin' today?" inquired
the man.
''Not-yery-well" faltered the little
guest, and his lip was quivering, de-
spite himself
Bart arose without attempting 10
eat. He walked up and down with the
childish form IN his arms, trying 10
hum at a song and gently patting the
little fellows back with his comfort
ing hand
Game little shaver" commented
Smoky. sort OF a nice little like"
Bill and lack made no observations,
though lack. to do him justice, felt q
little sympathetic himself.
And so that Saturday, beautiful be-
yond expression. as to sunshine,
the days before had passed, and the
outlaws bided time, in their mountain
concealment-
In the afternoon the big. brown
beared leader carried Dummy out TO
see his blinded burro and the horses,
hopeful that the sight of these would
do the little fellow good 1t only
served. however. to reveal 70 the man
the weak and fading grasp on exist
ence MS childish guest retained.
rs there anything you want, my
little boy2' he said. ''Ain't there
anything you want?'
Dummy nodded feebly. II want
Sylvla-aWful-b2d. ne said, and he
closed his eyes, and his TWO little fists.
TO keep from crying.
Bart took him back to the cabin,
where he laid him IN the blankets OF
bed.
The little fellers got 20 be took 10
his folks" he said. 'or-I reckon he
amt goin' TO live
Then at dusk Chenook came in to
make report. He had seen an Indian
on the hilltop. half mile away. slow
ly working through the rocks. around
the fiat" where the one-time lumber
camp was situated.
Takes an Injun 10 ketcn an Injun, %
dry;y vouchsafed the outlaw chief. as
he listened 10 the meager particulars.
Keep a watchin. If he gets 10 smell
in round TOO ciose-shoot him first,
Chenook. and ask him his business
afterward,
Il ltnowed we'd soon be comm 10
it," Bill remarked, with satisfaction
that was grim and ominous Il won
der how mucn longer you'll be stayln'
now and foolln' around with the kid. -
Wen, we won't run straight TO the
posse, scared so bad we can't pipe a
crew to work our brains. said Bart.
Wen navigate accordin' TO reason -
With an Indian sleuth already thus
upon them. the outlaw knew their
stay in the camp was at an end. That
night. at the latest, must see tpem
far away. and fleeing from the long,
Uncompromising arm of the law. for
very life itself.
Yet he drew ont his pOcket-knie and
whitfield II a stick as he sat IN the
door OF the shack to think.