Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1911-12-29
CHAPTER xxlv.-(continued.)

group was gathered about the
body in the rain, a single lantern
giimmering Two or three men had
started down the passageway, and
Keith met them, revolvers drawn and
suspicious.
who are your" snapped one
sharply. Were you doing all that
shooting yonder?"
Keith recognized the voice. thank
fui that he did so.
Il fred at the fellow, but he got
away onto the prairie reckon you
couldn't have done any better, Bill"
Jack Keith" and Hickock's voice
had a new tone, his hand dropping on
the others shoulder. Never was
giadder to meet fellow in my life.
Boys. this is an old deputy of mine
down in Dodge. When he gives up
chasin' a murderer there isn't much
use our tryin' Let's go back, and find
out how bad the fellow is hurt. While
we're ieelin' our way, Jack, you might
tell us what you know about this az
iair"
II "CtS JdoC bhC AIoh VI q SuAA' eAAN
the man dropped" Keith explained,
briefly. Il was ten or dozen feet
behind, and the fellow fired from I'M
der the wagon there. He must have
been laying for some one-I reckon,
maybe, it was me-"
You? Then it's likely you have
some notion who be was?"
Well, if | have. Bill" and Keith's
lips were set tight I'm not liable to
tell you. II it's the lad think likely.
IN attend to the case myself You
understandable is ay personal af-
fair
Hickock nodded his hand again
pressing the others shoulder.
Sure. Jack. if you feel that way.
There's enough doing here in Sheri-
dan to keep a marshal reasonably
busy, without dippin' into private
matters | rather reckon you can
take care of yourself. but If you need
me- old boy, I'm always right here on
the job. You know that"
Il do. Bill. and appreciate it,
The group about the motionless
body fell away, and made room for the
marshal. the last man to rise saying
soberly:
He's dead all right. Hickock.
guess he never knew what hit him.
Good shootin, too. dark as it Is here "
Had the range fixed. likely" re-
turned the marshal. That's what
makes it look like it was arranged
tor
He bent down. striving TO distin-
gush the dead mans features turned
I'D to the drtzzie, but the night re-
vealed only the faintest outline.
Anybody know him?" There was
no response. only shutting of feet
in the mud Here, you man with the
lantern, hold it over where can see.
There. that is better. Now. you fell
lows take a look. and see if some OF
you can't name the poor devil
They glanced down. one after the
other, over Bills shoulder, shading
their eyes from the rain so as to see
clearer The light of the Pickering
lantern streamed full on the CHASTITY
face, but each man shook his head.
and passed on Keith hung back. hop.
ing some one would identify the body,
and not make 1t necessary for him TO
take part in the grewsome task il
was not likely to be any one he knew.
and besides. he felt the man had died
in his stead. and he dreaded to look
upon the stricken face When the last
OF the group had drifted back out OF
the radius of light, Hickock looked up
and saw aim.
Here. Jack" he said. grayely. you
better try-you might know him.
Keith bent over and looked down.
AS he did so his heart seemed to rise
choking into his throat and a blur
obscured his sight He swept a hand