The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-08-19
CHAPTER xvI.-Continued.

CHAPTER xvI.-Continued.
I'D trust ye," she said. We'll. there
WAS a gang across the street tonight
across from my place, | mean-and
that sneaking Tom Terrill and Darby
- Meeker. and l reckon all the rest of
'em, was there. And they was run
min back and forth to my place. and
a-drinkin' good deal, and the more
they drinks the louder they talks.
And hears Darby Meeker say to one
Teller, Wen git him, sure and |
listens with all my ears. though pre-
tendin' to see nothin' Wen fix it this
time he said: the Old Un's got his
thinkin' cap on And takes in every
word. and by one thing and another
/ picks up that there's new schemes
afoot to trap We. They was a-sayin'
as il might be an idee to take We as
you come out of Knapp's tonight"
How did they know was at
prised. though had little reason to be
when I remembered the number of
spies who might have watched me.
why. Dicky Nahl told EN-" said
Mother BOrton. He was with the gang
and sings it out as pretty as you
please"
This gave me something new to
think about. but said nothing.
Well" she continued they says
at last that won't do, fer it'll git EN-
into trouble. and reckon they're argy-
flying over their schemes yit. But one
thing l finds out
Mother Borton stopped and looked
at me anXiouSly.
Well" l said impatiently, what
was it,
They're a-sayin' as how. if you're
killed. the one as you knows on'f have
TO git some one else to look after the
boy, and mebbe he won't be so smart
about foOlin' them
That's an excellent idea" said I.
IF they only knew that l was the 9TH
er fellow they could see at once what
a bright scheme they had hit upon"
Maybe they amt a-goin' to do it."
said Mother Borton. There's a heap
O things said over the liquor that don't
git no further. but you'll be a fool if
you don't look out. Now, do as I tell
you. You Just keep more men around
you. Keep eyes in the back of your
be trouble. jest you shoot first and AK
questions about 1t afterward. They
talked OF getting you down on the
waterfront or up in Chinatown with
some bogus message and said how
easy ii would be to dispose of you
without leaving clues behind EN-.
Now. don't you sleep here without
three or four men on guard. and don't
you stir round nights with less than
four. Send Porter out to git two more
men, and tell him to look sharp and
see if the coasts clear outside.
in"
I've got some men on the next
floor" l said. Il thought it would be
just as well to have 4 few around in
case of emergencies. I'll have two of
them out, and send Porter to recon
hotter"
who told you to git your men to-
gether!"
"A little idea of my OWL"
You've got some sense. after all"
The reinforcements We're soon ready
to take orders. and Porter returned to
bring word that no suspicious person
was in sight in the street.
Il reckon I'd best so. then" said
Mother Borton. Il don't want no knife
in me jest yit, but if there's no one
to see NE I'm all right"
I pressed Mother Borton to take
two of my men as escort, but she
sturdily refused.
They'd know something was up if
be a bloody ghost as soon as they
could ketch me alone" she said.
Well. good night-or is it mornin'?
And do take keer of yourself. dearie."
And, so saying. Mother Borton muffled
herself up till it was hard to tell
whether she was man or woman, and
trudged away
Whatever designs were brewing IN
the night-meeting of the conspirators.
they did not appear to concern my i'm
mediate peace of body. The two fol-
lowing days were spent in quiet. In
spite of warnings, began to believe
that no new plan of action had been
determined On. and bent my steps to
the Office that had been furnished by
Doddridge Knapp. i hardly expected
to meet the King OF the Street. He
lad, l supposed, returned to the city.