Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1911-11-01
CHAPTER xvli.-(contlnued.)

O. = = f. II
ssss -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 got back they reported hav'
& ing run the fellows as far as CHM
maron Crossing-the they got across
and escaped"
who led the posse p
"A man called Black. l. think" n
said. n
BLACK Bart?"
/ 80 Eyes. that's the name: 80. reckon
you didn't bury Willis Waite this time
\ Captain You wouldn't have thought
The was dead one II you had heard
4 him swear while he was telling the
atory---it did him proud; never heard
him do better since the second day at
Gettysburg had his ear shot on
then, and l had to fix him up-Lord.
but he called me . few things.
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.
II haven't much idea" was the
reply. II don't think llasked him d.
rectIy. 4 wasn't much interested.
There was hint dropped. however.
now you speak about 1t. He's keen after
those papers. and doesn't feel salts
fled regarding the report OF the posse.
its my opinion he's trailing after
Black Bart" n, NJ. Y 5s.s &
The 1dining-room was thinning out.
and they were about the only ones left
at the tables. Keith stretched him
sell, looking around,
We'll. Doctor. am very glad to
have met you again. and to learn
Waite 10 actually alive. This is q
rather queer affair. but will have to
work itself out. Anyway. ! am too
dead tired tonight to hunt after clues
In midst OF this babel. I've been IN
the saddle most OF the time for .
week. and have got to find a bed. !.
IA Il reckon you won't discover such
= thing here" dryly. Got seven in q
room upstairs. and others corded
alOu6 SuS udlA. DSllSE ou0A . NY Gull.
only thing to do.
That would be asking too much
4 can turn in at the corral with Neb:
I've slept An worse places.
Couldn't think OF 1t. Keith" ana
the doctor got up. Besides. you
sleep at night. don't you r.
Usually. yes. the other admitted.
Then you won't bother me any
MO doctor sleeps at night In Sheridan:
that's our harvest time Come on.
:and I'll show you the way. When
morning comes Ill rout you out ana
take my turn" q,
Keith had enjoyed considerable ex-
perience in frontier hotels. but moth
ing before had ever quite equailed this.
the pride Of Sheridan, The product
of mushroom town. which merely ex-
listed by grace of the temporary rail-
way terminus. 1t had been hastily and
fiimsily constructed. so 1t could be
transported elsewhere at moments
notice. Every creak of bed echoed
from wall to wall. The thin parti-
lions 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 a
band at the Pioneer Dance Hall oppo-
site. to tho energetic cursing Of the
cook in the rear. dtscordant din
of voices surged up from the street
below-laughter.s shouts. the shrieks OF
women. q rattle Of dice. an occasional,
pistol shot, and the continuous yell
ing OF Industrious "barkers. There
was no safety anywhere. An exploding
revolver in No. ~ was quito likely to
disturb the peaceful slumbers Of the
innocent occupant OF No. is. and every
sound Of quarrel In the thronged bar
room below caused the ,lodger to curl
up in momentary expectation OF
stray bullet coursing toward him
through the floor With this to trou-
bic him. he could lie there and hear
everything that occurred within and
witnout. Every creak. stamp. and
snore was faithfully reported; every
curse, blow, snarl re-echoed to his
ears. Inside was hell; outside was
Sheridan
Wearied, and half dead. as Keith
was, sleep was simply impossible he
heard heavy feet tramping UP ana
down the hall; once a drunken man
endeavored vainly to open his door;
not far away there was scuf1ie. ana
the sound OF body falling down stairs.
In some distant apartment fellow
vas struggling to draw of his tight