Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-01-08
CONTINUATION OF CHAPTER H.
PoleOB Doret's Hand is Quicker
Than His TouUue
Illustrated By
Denman Fink

| IMAM MS tongue
mo, sireer' he denied. "Dere's none
OF dem gal look half so purity LAX you"
He would have said more, but spying
the trader at the entrance of the store,
he went to him, straightway launching
into the details of their commercial en-
] terprise, which, happily, had been most
successful Before they could finish, the
crowd from the boat began to drift in,
some of them buying drinks at the bar
and others making purchases of tobacco
and so forth, but for the main part
merely idling about curiously.
Among the merchandise of the post
there were for sale a scanty assortment
of firearms, cheap shotguns and Win
chester or two. displayed in a rack be-
hind the counter in a manner TO attract
the eye of such native hunters as might
need them, and with the rest hung pair
of Colts revolvers. One of the new ar
rivals, who had separated from the others
at the front. now called to Gale;
Are those Colts for sale? Mine was
stolen the other day" Evidently he was
accustomed TO Yukon prices, for he show
ed no surprise at the figure the trader
named, but took the guns and tested each
OF them, whereupon the old man knew
that here was no "Cheechako," as tender
feet are known in the north, although the
mans garb had deceived him at first
glance. The stranger balanced the weap-
ons. one in each hand, then he did the
double rolf neatly. following which he
executed a move that Gale had not Wit
messed for many years. He extended one
of the guns. butt foremost, as if surrend-
ering il, the action being free and OPEN
save for the fact that his forehnger was
crooked and thrust upon the triger-guard;
then. with the slightest jerk of the wrist,
the gun spun about, the handle jumped
into mis- palm, and instantly there was a
click as his thumb tipped the hammer. IL
was the old ''road-agent spin, which
Gale as a boy had pracuced hours at
time: but that this man ws in earnest he
showed by glancing upward Sharply WHEN
the trader laughed.
This one hangs all right, he sa1d'
''give me a box OF cartridges.
He emptied his gold-sack in payment Tor
the gun and ammunition, then remarked:
'sThat pretty nearly cleans me. If mad
the price I'd take them both.
Gale wondered what need induced this
fellow to spend his last few dollars on
firearm. but he said nothing until the man
had Ioosened the bottom buttons OF ms
vest and slipped the weapon inside the
hand Of his trousers, conceaIing its handle
beneath the edge of his waistcoat. Then
he inquired:
Bound for the outsider"
mo. I'm locating here.
The trader darted quick glance al
him. He did not like this man.
There amt much doing in this camp
it's a pretty poor place" he said guard
eddy. -..o,.-
-sern put in with you. from its looks
agreed the other. ITS got too many
soldiers to be worth a damn" he snar itSl
this bitterly. with peculiar leering Ii'
~ his lips. as il his words tasted badly.
Most Of the boys are going up-river,"
said Gale.
well. those hills look as If they had
gold in them" said the stranger, pointing
vaguely. ssI'm going TO prospect.
Gale knew instinctively that the fellow
uvas living for his hands were not those Of
a miner. but there was nothing to be
said. His Judgment was verified, however.
when Poleon drew him aside later ana
said: --c- -.r .-. s...,.r..,- e.. .
You know dat feiler?'
No"
He's bad man" "a.
How do you known"
she's leave Dawson dam queeck.
Dose Mounted Police t'row i'm on de boat
Jus before we lef" Then he told story
that he had heard The man, ii seemed
had left Skagway between two suns, upon
the disruption of Soapy Smiths band of
desperadoes, and had made for the inte-
rior. but had been interrupted at the Pass
by two members Of the Citizens Commit
tee who came upon him suddenly. Pre-
tending to yield, he had executed some
unexpected coup as he delivered his gum
for both men fell, shot through the body.
No one knew just what he did, nor cared
to question him overmuch. The next
heard Of him was at Lake Bennett, over
the line, where the Mounted Police recog-
nized him and sent him on. They marked
him well. however, and passed him on
from post to post as they had driven 9TH
ers whose records were known; but he
had lost himself in confusion at Daw-
son for a few weeks, until the scarlet
coated riders searched him out, disarmed
him, and forced him sullenly aboard this
steamer. The offscourings of the Cana
dian frontier were drifting back into their
native country to settle.
Old Man Gale cared little for this, for
he had spent his life among such men,
but as he watched the fellow a scheme
outlined itself in his head. Evidently the
man dared not go farther down the river,
for there was nothing save Indian camps
and a mission or two this side Of st.
Michaels, and at that point there was
court and many soldiers, where one
was naDie 10 meet the HSldAlg VI RdSN
misdeeds, hence he was probably resolved
to stop here, and, judging by his record,
he was a man of settled convictions. Con-
tinued persecution is wont to stir GER
tain natures to such reckless despera-
ton that interference is dangerous, and
Gale, recalling his sullen look and i'll
concealed contempt for the soldiers, put
the stranger down as a man Of this type.
Furthermore, he had been impressed by
the fellows remarkable dexterity of wrist.
The trader stepped TO the door, and
seeing Burrell on the deck Of the steamer.
went down towards him. It was a long
chance, but the stakes were big and
worth the risk. He had thought mucn
during the night previous-in fact. for
many hours-and the morning had found
him still undecided. therefore he took this
course.
''Necia tells me that you aim TO keep
law and order here" he began, abruptly,
having drawn the young man aside.
Those are my instructions" said Bur-
rell, but they are so vague"
We'll, This campAis bigger than il
was an hour ago. am IL amt improv-
ed any in the growth. Yonder goes the
new citizen" He pointed to the stranger.
who had returned to the steamer for his
baggage and was descending the gang
plank beneath them, a valise in each
hand. Hes a thief and a murderer, and
we don't want him here. Now it's up to