The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1908-01-30

MIN! lie 0On u uncle Billy inter
rupted.
But authority rang in Alfred's tone.
The change had been made, and he
was already stalking after the driver
Around the point the sight he sud.
denly came upon made him reel
turn sick and white
81 know 1t would be too much for
you, boy; but now yo're hyah get to
work. We haven't a minute to lose"
The road here was a narrow rock
cut. Two white men lay across It,
one scalped, the other with his throat
gaping horribly, and more than a
dozen arrows buried In his flesh Be
yond, the ruins OF an emigrant wagon
blazed lazily.
I'VE CANT stop 70 anything but to
cleah the road. These tracks come
from Anthony's; and they're fresh
and heap OF EN-. The arrows are
nearly all different; that means lot
Of tribes" He spoke in low, tense
tones while, as fast as possible, he
threw the burning debris over the
lower side of the cut.
Alfred said nothing but Joined in
the labor with quick skill that made
Uncle Billy revoke his opinion OF the
small hands Alfred's back was
turned, yet he could feel-see--those
the gruesome spectacle behind
What could be done? How should
they be disposed of?-but there was
no time for question.
Can you beah a hand hyah Vim
cent. and qulck?"
He turned The driver had already
lifted the shoulders OF one; Alfred
took the feet.
Right toward hyah, round the
point"
"You--you aren't going TOTO
leave"
Yes, we'll have to, II we don't
want to look the same way mighty
soon!"
Cant we put them in the stage?
It's awful to leave them!"
ut may be worse to take Them and
I'm afraid We'll need the stage for the
living if-if we get through"
Alfred said no more; and Uncle Billy
warmed to him as he saw the clear-cut
jaw set and steely light creep into
the dark violet eyes.
He's camel" Uncle Billy whispered
to himself.
Gently they disposed of the poor,
mutilated bodies, and hurried back to
the stage. The driver armed each
passenger with a rifle and revolver;
and ordering Alfred beside him, and
Phineas to keep the lookout from the
top, he swung his team into the road
and drove. forward through the cut
with slash and oath.
Dark was stealing on, yet the suns
goodnight glory still fingered, it's
flaming banners striking into the over
head darkness, flooding earth and
heavens with strange, sinister color.
Alfred thought of what lay behind, and
gripped his gun sharply. The team
slowed and Uncle Billy no longer piled
the lash.
See that light there. away yon to
the left?"
YES"
That's Anthony's, the next station.
Some ones alive there, and that some
one is white. or there wouldn't be a
candle light; the whole place would
be alight" Relief unspeakable |
breathed in his words, and half mile |
passed in silence.
This is a terrible way to earn a
living!" Alfred said at last.
Yes; but this jobs easy compared
to the trick the pony express boys
used to play"
This is dangerous enough. l won
der the company can induce men to
undertake the work. Don't you find
1t wearing?"
"Oh, yes, suppose 1t is. It's right |
smart skeery sometimes, specially at |
night when | make the trip alone. And |
wondeh passengehs don't buck |
against being sent across without es-
cort like now"
"They would if they knew what |
they'd see. But it's infinitely worse
for you drivers"
We'll, reckon the Lord knows his |
business, an mine, too. l figger all / |
got to do is to see he don't catch me
asleep on the box"
sudden admiration for this hero |
Of the desert warmed Alfreds heart.
This time I'd hated to let them
bacon-colored critters get me before
got to Anthony'E. Those tracks are
all from Anthony's; and there's more
than men and property--there's An
thongs little gal, and"
Alfred shivered at the significant
pause.
"Anthony's had hard luck. He's one
If Gods best, If he is set up a mite
lueer."
Does he live alone? oh, no; ! sup
rose he has helper as they have at
'ther stations, hasn't he?" Alfred
so9ed the driver would tell him more
II the station agent not because of
lis own interest in the agent, but that
lie might be saved from thinking.
Yes, he has helper, Gid Ingram;
'ut he's only boy, If he is big. And
stella, pore little chicken! She"
Alfred waited discreetly.
Away back in the fifties Anthony
truck 1t rich oyeh Washoe way" I'M
lie Billy began again in a steadIer
one. Struck it powerful rich; panned
nut money fasteh'n he could count 1t.
Ind what did he do but put up the
biggest palace this side of
Frlsco-put 1t up right there where
Ie struck tin, 1t was a bang-up place