The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1911-12-07


horse rolling on the soft turf. He
awoke thoroughly refreshed, and
eager to get away on his long nights
ride. A cold lunch, hastily eaten, for
q fire would have been dangerous,
and he saddled up and was off, trot-
ting out of the narrow ravine and into
the broad trail, which could be fol.
lowed without difficulty under the dull
CLEAN of the stars. Horse and rider
were soon at their best, the animal
swinging unurged into the long, easy
lope of prairie travel, the fresh air
tanning the mans face as he leaned
forward Once they halted to drink
from narrow stream, and then push
ed on, hour after hour, through the
deserted night. Keith had little fear
of Indian raiders in that darkness,
and every stride of his horse brought
him closer to the settlements and
further removed from danger. Yet
eyes and ears were alert to every
shadow and sound. Once, it must
have been after midnight, he drew his
pony sharply back into a rock shadow
at the noise of something approach.
ing from the east. The stage to Santa
Fee ratified past the four mules trot.
ting swiftly, squad of troopers rid
ing hard behind. 1t was merely a
Jumping shadow sweeping swiftly
past; he could perceive the dim out
lines of driver and guard, the soldiers
swaying in their saddles, heard the
pounding of hoofs, the creak of axles,
and then the apparition disappeared
into the black void. He had not call
ed out-what was the use? Those PEG
pie would never pause to hunt dowr
prairie outlaws, and their guard was
sufficient to prevent attack They &C
Knowiedged but ore duty-to get the
mail through on time.
The dust of their passing still in the
air, Keith rode on, the noise dying
away in his rear. AS the hours pass
ed, his horse wearied and had to be
spuTred into the swifter stride, but
the man seemed tireless. The sun was
an hour high when they climbed the
long hill, and Hoped into Carson City.
The cantonment was to tie right, but
Keith, having no report to make, rode
directly ahead down the one long
street to a livery corral, leaving his
horse there, and sought the nearest
restaurant.
Exhausted by night of high play
and deep drinking, the border town
was sleeping off it's debauch, saloons
and gambling dens silent, the streets
almost deserted. To Keith whose for
mer acquaintance with the place had
been entirely after nightfall, the view
of it now was almost a shock-the
miserable shacks, the gaudy saloon
fronts. the Uttered streets, the dingy,
implanted hotel, the dirty flap of can
vas, the unoccupied road, the dull
prairie sweeping away to the horizon,
all composed a hideous picture be-
meath the sun glare. He could scarce
Iy lind a man to attend his horse, and
at the restaurant drowsy Chinaman
had to be shaken awake. and fright
ened into serving him. He sat down
to the miserable meal oppressed with
disgust-never before had his life
seemed SO mean, useless, utterly with.
out excuse.
He possessed the appetite Of the
open. of the normal man in perfect
physical health, and he ate heartily,
his eyes wandering out of the open
window down the long. dismal street.
A drunken man lay in front of the
Red Light saloon sleeping undis-
turbed; two cur dogs were snarling at
each other just beyond over a bone;
a movers wagon was slowly coming
IN across the open through a cloud of
yellow dust. That was all within the
radius of vision. For the first time in
years the East called him-the old
HE OF cleanliness and responsibility.
he swore to himself as he tossed the
Chinaman pay for his breakfast, and
strobe out onto the steps Two men
were coming up the street together
from the opposite direction-one lean.
dark-skinned, with black goatee the
other heavily set with closely trim
med gray beard Keith knew the lat
ter, and waited, leaning against the
door, one hand on his hip.
"Hullo, Bob" he said genially:
they must have routed you out pref.
ty early today"
They shore did, Jack" was the re.
spouse. He came up the steps some.
what heavily, his companion stopping
below. THE boys raise hell all night
an then come ter me ter straighten
1t out in the mawnin' When did We
git in?"
IAN hour ago; had to wake the
'chink' up to get any chuck. Town
looks dead"
"Tain't over lively at this time O.
day." permitting his blue eyes to wan.
der up the silent street, but instantly
bringing them back to Keith's face.
but reckon it'll wake up later on"
He stood squarely on both feet, and
one hand rested on the butt of a re-
volver. Keith noticed this, wonder
ing vaguely.
Il reckon yer know, Jack, as how
ginerally git what goes after" said
the slow, drawing voice, IAN that i
draw bout as quick as any O. the
boys. They tell ING yo're. gun-fight-