The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1909-06-26

iucul VI lie Ou the Cdttit range, loT
his inventive genius had been stirred
powerfully by the astonishing stories
which had been told him by the many
understanding strangers whom he
had interviewed en- route. He had or
dered the blackboard to be ready at
dawn, and now he exhorted French
Mike to make all haste
The managing director was a tall,
thin man, with elementary side-whis-
kers; he wore a pongee helmet, and
before the blackboard had gone mile
he offered to present a similar head
| dress to the driver. French Mike OBJ
served that the Toys whereabouts were
to handy with a gun for him to take
any such risks. This depressed Mr..
Chichester, and he did not revive un-
til they encountered the bluff which
skirted the-bottom-lands of Medicine
Creek. The conveyance pitched like
a cat-boat in a tide-rip; and French
Mike dashed the jumping horses and
talked with them vigorously. When
level ground was reached, Mr. Chi
chester rubbed his eyes and stared
about him. Then he rubbed his eyes
again. Well might he do So
Resplendent in the solitude of the
plain stood an enormous rosewood
bedstead, and on the wire mattress
lay two young men, wrapped in blan.
kets and in slumber. A stately dress
ing-table had been pressed into duty
for culinary purposes and sustained
some slices of cold bacon and a bat
tered coffee pot. A brocaded easy
chair had been overturned in order to
protect pair OF saddles from the
downfall of dew.
French Mike surveyed the spectacle
in hush OF profound awe, but Brice
Chichester was more curious. John
Heffren poked his head out of tho
blankets when the blackboard ratified
alongside
"Good-morning, began Mr.. Chiches-
ter politely. You seem comfortable
here"
Sure" said Heffren. This we're IL
the Powder River outfit of the Double
X ranch. Drive on" and he prepared
to resume his nap.
Stop a Bit" cried the managing
director. This is the most luxurious
camping equipment! l do not remem-
Der that have ever seen anything
approaching it in completeness. Ny
good man. will you tell me-"
"Oh, don't bother" growled John,
sleepily. IF yer want a he'd, go to tn
Office an register"
But. my world" exclaimed Chiches-
ter. These appliances for an ordin-
airy bivouac are revelation"
well. we're shy couple of pictures
and bath-tub," admitted Heffren.
Ed. May stretched himself and sat
suddenly upright, blinking at the Wis
itors.
"Howdy. Nike" said he. when did
you blow in?"
I'm a-haulin' this gentleman out to
the RANCH" French Mike replied.
Say" he added maliciously, as he
gathered up his reins-"say. he's the
eastern boss OF the Double-X. So
long,"
Mr. Chichester was so busily en-
gagged in taking a mental inventory of
the astounding camp utensils that he
failed to notice the CONSERVATION in
which he left the cowboys. They both
rolled of the mattress and reused
Muddy Connors.
Anyhow, well get fired from the
Double-X, all right" Mr.. Heffren con
cluded, land the Wilder Major of the
Gem hotel will buy this sweety o. fur
niture off of us If we pack it over the
state line into Sundance."
The two other men hesitated.
This evenin' Connors tramps back
to Spearfish," urged John. land tells
Buntz he was held up. BY that-e-tine
Ed. an me has druv this freight over
into the gran old state o. Wyoming
and fixed it. Savvy?"
In the meantime Brice Chichester.
having made his arrival at the ranch,
so perplexed Mr.. Sloan by his illusions
to the Medicine Greek episode that the
foreman was compelled to seek pri.
vate explanation from French Mike.
The explanation caused him to buckle
on his forty-five and saddle horse.
May l not ride with with you. Mr..
Sloan?" asked Chichester. Il should
like to see at once further evidences
OF your genius as an organizer. ]
should like to add to the highly favor
able preliminary report which l am
sending to Boston"
The foreman pricked up his ears.
Il refer, of course" went on the
Bostonian, ito the wonderful camping
arrangement which you have devised
for our employees. The equipment is
almost incredible. Your services must
be priceless here-priceless. Mr.
Sloan"
Sloan glared at him with suspicion
with wonder. finally with hope: then
he sat down beside Mr.. Chichester and