The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-08-09

war-and | certainly talked with him
He told me enough to partially confirm
your story. He said he had started
for Santa Fe light, because he couldn't
get enough men TO run a caravan
afraid of Indians. you know. So. he
determined to take money-buy Mexi-
can goods-and risk himself Old
fighting cock wouldn't turn back for
all the Indians on the plains once he
got an idea In his head-he was that
kind-Lord, you ought to seen the
fight ne put up at Spottsylvania! He
got to Carson City with two wagons,
driver and cook-had eight thou
sand dollars with him, too, the damn
fool. Cook got into row, gambling. cut
man. and was jugged. Old Waite
wouldn't leave even Niger In that
sort Of flx-natural nghter-likes any
kind Of row. So, he hung on there at
Carson. but had sense enough-tord
knows where he got ito put all
but q few hundred dollars In Ben
Levy's safe. Then, he went out one
night to play poker with his driver
and friend-had a drink or two
doped probably. and never woke up
for forty-eight hours-loet clothes,
money. papers. and whole outf1t-was
tust naturally cleaned out-couldn't
get a trace worth following after
You ought to have heard him cuss
when he told met seemed to be the
papers that bothered him most-them.
and the mules"
"You say there was no tracer"
Nothing to travel on after forty
eight hOurs--a posse started out next
morning. soon as they found him
when they get hack they reported hav-
ing run the fellows as far as Cim-
maron Crossing-there they got across
and escaped"
who led the poese?"
"A man called Black, think" he
said.
"Black Bart?~
"Yes. that's the name: 80, I reckon
you didn't bury Willis Waite this time,
Captain You wouldn't have thought
he was dead one If you had heard
him swear while he WAS telling the
story-lt did him proud never heard
him do better since the second day at
Gettysburg-had his ear shot OF
then, and had to Ak him up-Lord.
but he called me few thirgs."
Keith sat silent, fully convinced
now that the doctor was telling the
truth, yet more puzzled than ever
over the peculiar situation In which
he found himself involved.
what brought the General up
here?" he questioned. finally.
i haven't much idea" was the
reply. Il don't think asked him d.
recty. wasn't much interested.
There was a hint dropped, however,
now you speak sbout It, He's keen after
those papers, and doesn't feel salts
fed regarding the report of the posse.
It's my opinion he's trailing after
Black Bart"
The dining-roOm was thinning out,
and they were about the only ores left
at the tables. Keith stretched him
self. looking around
We'll. Doctor, am very glad to
have met you again. and to learn
Waite is actually alive. This Is .
rather queer affair, but will have to
work itself out Anyway, / am too
dead tired tonight TO hunt after clues
In midst Of this label. I've been IN
the saddle most Of the time for a
week. and have got to find bed"
Il reckon you won't discover such
a Thing here" dryly. Got seven in a
room upstairs. and others corded
along the hall. Better share my cell
only thing to do"
THAT would be asking too much
can turn In at the corral with Neb;
I've slept In worse places"
Couldn't think Of It, Keith" and
the doctor got up. Besides. you
sleep at night. don't you?"
Usually, yes the other admitted.
Then you won't bother me any
no doctor sleeps at night In Sheridan;
that's our harvest time. Come on.
and I'll show you the way. When
morning comes III rout you out and
take my turn"
perience In frontier hotels, but moth
ing before had ever quite eQualled this,
the pride Of Sheridan. The product
OF mushroom town. which merely ex.
listed by grace OF the temporary rail-
way terminus, It had been hastily and
ftmsily constructed, go It could te
transported elsewhere at a moments
notice. Every creak Of bed echoed
from wall to wall. The thin partt
tons often failed to reach the ceiling
by foot or two, and the slightest
noise aroused the entire floor. And
there was noise Of every conceivable
kind, In plenty, from the blare OF q
band at the Pioneer Dance Hall oppO-
site, TO the energetic cursing of the
cook In the rear. A discordant din
of voices surged up from the street
below-laughter, shouts. the shrieks OF
~ % II. ,,,l