Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-02-01

Hampton Glued His Anxious Eyes e
the Glass"
pectedly out OF the black night. startled
him more than would a volley OF rifles
He sprang half erect. then as swiftly
crouched behind a willow. utterly IN
able 10 articulate. For the instant his
very blood ran cold: he appeared e
shrivel UP.
"Oh. come. Murphy. speak up. man
I know you're in here"
That terror OF the unknown Instant
~ vanished. This was the familiar
language OF the world. and. however
tho fellow came 20 be there. Il was
assuredly a man who spoke.
"Who-the hell-are ye?" he blurt-
ed out.
The visitor laughed. the bushes
rustling as he pushed toward the
sound OF the voice. IT'S all right. old
boy. Gave We quite a scare. I reckon. %
Murphy could now dimly perceive
the other advancing through the inter
voning willows. and HIS Colt shot up
TO the level. "Stopl-ye take another
step an I1l-let drive. We tell me
-hrst-who we be"
The invader paused. but he realized
tho nervous finger pressing the trigger
and made haste to answer. It's all
right. l tell ye- I'm one O. Terry's
scouts"
"Ye are? Jist the same-Tve heard
yer voice-afore.
Likely 'nough. saw service In the
seventh"
Murphy was still a trife suspicious.
How'd We git yere7 How'd We come
ter know-whar I wus2"
The man laughed again. "Sorter
hurts yer professional feolins. don't Il,
old Teller. 20 be dropped in on in this
unceremonious way? But Il was dead
easy. old man. Ye sec happened
thro' Cheyenne only couple o. hours
behind we. with 4 bunch o. papers fer
the Yellowstone. The trails plain
enough out this far. and I loped long
at pretty fair hickory. so thet was
up on the blum yonder. and saw We go
into camp we're just afore dark You
wus a-keepin' yer eyes skinned across
tho Fourche. and naturally didn't ex-
pect no callers from them hills be-
hind The rest wus nuthin'. an here I
am. It's a darn sight pleasanter ter
hev company travelin'. ter my notion.
Now kin / cum on?"
Murphy reluctantly lowered his Colt.
every movement betraying annoyance.
Il reckon. But Td-a damn sight
rather risk it-alone."
The stranger came forward without
further hesitation The night was far
too dark 20 reveal features. but to
Murphy's strained vision the new
conner appeared somewhat slender In
build. and OF good height
"Wbar'd-ye say ye-wus bound?"
Mouth O the Powder We kin ride
tergether fer a night or two"
"Ye kin-do as ye-please, butt
amt huntin'-no company,-an' I'm
a'-goin' cross now"
He advanced a few strides toward
his horses. Then suddenly he gave
vent TO a smothered cry. so startling
as to cause the stranger to spring
hastily after him.
OH My God! Oh. Look there!"
What is IL. man."
''Therel therel The picture! Don't
you see?"
Nav; I don't see nuthin'. Ye amt
gone cracked. heV ye? Whose pic
ture?"
IT'S thereto Lord,-irs there!
My God! can't ye see?-An' It's his
facial a-gleamin' with green flames
Holy Mary-an' I amt seen it
sfore in-15 year,"
He seemed suddenly to collapse. and
the stranger permitted him to drop
limp to the earth.
Darn II 1 kin see anythin'. old
man. but I'll scout round thar a bit
Jest ter ease yer mind. an see what /
kin skeer up"
He had hardly taken a half dozen
steps before Murphy called after him:
''Don't-don't go an leave me-its
not there now--thet's queeri"
The other returned and stood gazing
down upon his huddled figure. You're
a fine SCOUT afeard O. spooks. Do We
take these yere turns often? Fer IL
ye do. reckon as how I'd sooner be
ridin' alone"
Murphy struggled to his feet and
gripped the others arm. Never he'd
nuthin' Ike it-afore. But-but IL was
thar-all creepy-an' green-ain't seen
thet face-in Is year"
What face7"
IA fellow knew-once. He
he's dead"
The other grunted disdainfully. bad
luck ter see them sort" he volun-
teered. solemnly. Blame glad IL
warnt me es see IL. an / don't know
as / keer much right now bout keep
In company with ye fer very long.
However, reckon II either OF US cal
culates on doin' much ridin' ternight.
We better stop foolin' with ghosts. an
90 ter saddlin' up"