The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-12-16
You see, as you say. things have
been hurriaf Well, sace then he
has disappeared.

Mafeking, al the Wondergat. At
least, near there He was stopping
the night at Boer farm"
Mike added his bit of information
quite casually and Jerry, listening,
displayed no outward sign of in
terest on his broad features.
And the woman, l suppose, was
Mrs. Elwood?" he said presently
yes 1t was Sam who answered
"Ah, Samson and Delilah. 4 poor
Samson"
The OH man chucRled heavily.
AS the westering sun dropped to-
wards the horizon the cattle were
brought into camp by the vor-loop-
ers, and the inspan began. The men
rode their horses. Even Jerry, de-
spite his weight and age, preferred
to saddle. As he was wont to say
the wagon made him sleep too
much. He was a man who believed
in sleeping only when he could no
longer keep his eyes open.
Fhc horsemen moved off first
leaving the wagons to their native
drivers Thus the three men were
alone when they passed the vley
where the opening in the fence gap
ei upon the road.
Jerry was riding nearest to the
ience. Mike was on his left, and
Sam GoodaIl brought up the rear. At
the opening Jerry halted, and his
quick eyes glanced down at the
fence
why is this, Mike? / mean whit
is this fence put here?' he inquired
Won know more of this part OF
the country than do"
ITS a dangerous water-hole. They
lose a lot Of cattle here" the gi-
ant replied. "Old Van Luren, whose
farm this is, declares that the plac-
has no bottom"
"Ah! Characteristic of the coun.
try. It's full of pitfalls One never
knows"
Sam Goodall had drawn up level
with them. He was nearer the wa
ter-hole than the others. Suddenly
he pointed at an object floating on
the cleaning surface.
whats that?' he cried; and his
tone was unpleasantly sharp.
The others followed the direction
of his pointing finger. Mike Don
ovan was the first to break the
silence that followed
Looks like a sheep" he said.
Jerry Boyle was more practical.
Let's ride round and see. It's
not sheep"
The three horsemen passed in
through the gateway, and made their
way round to the far side of the
water-hole to a point nearest the
object in the water.
AS they drew near the traler's
surmise proved itself The object
was not a sheep. 1t was human
body. 1t was lying on the surface
of the water, face uppermost. The
body was distended with the gases
of decomposition. 1t was a hideous
sight, but perfectly recognizable.
The features of the face were dis
colored, and looked as though they
had been partially eaten away by
carnivorous watert tcavengers. The
men, looking on in silent wonder,
knew that the body was that OF
their late comrade. Guy Chalmer.
Again it was Jerry Boyle who
broke up the long silence.
"How-how came It there" he
asked slowly. He displayed no emo
ton.
Sam Goodall gave a harsh laugh,
which died out as suddenly as it be-
gan. Mike Donovan was the only
one affected
Come away. Let's leave the beast
ly thing. Our coffee was made from
that water"
In single file they made their
way out of the enclosure. AS they
turned on to the road again the
wagons We're Leaving the outspan.
They came on behind, rumbling and
creaking after the laboring oxen.
amid the shrieks of the drivers and
a perfect bombardment of cracking
whips.
The three men proceeded abreast
now, with the trader in the middle.
After they had gone some dis
tance, Mike leant forward and spoke
across to Sam.
"He was seen near the Wonder"
gat," he said, with a backward jerk
of the head
yes"
Maybe that accounts for it"
What do you mean?' inquired