River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1911-12-21
CHAPTER xxIv.-(cOntinued.)

;sroup was gathered about the
body in the rain. a single lantern
glimSSering. Two or three men had
start4d down the passageway, and
Keith met them, revolvers drawn and
suspicious.
who are your" snapped one
sharpls Were you doing all that
shooting yonder?"
Keitp recognized the voice, thank
full that he did so.
Il fired at the fellow, but he got
away onto the prairie. reckon you
souldn't have done any better, Bill"
Jack Keith" and Hickock's voice
mad a new tone, his hand dropping on
the others shoulder. Never was
gladder to meet a fellow in my life.
noys. this is an old deputy of mine
down in Dodge. When he gives up
Cnasin' murderer there isn't much
use our tgyin' Let's go back. and find
out how bad the fellow is hurt. While
we're feelln' our way, Jack, you might
tell us what you know about this al
fair
1T was just the flash of g gun. and
the man dropped" Keith explained,
briefly Il was ten or a dozen feet
behind. and the fellow fired from un-
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 he WASP"
We'll. If l have, Bill" and Keith's
lips were set tight, I'm not liable to
tell you If it's the lad l think likely.
Ill attend to the case myself. You
understandable is my personal af-
gair."
Hickock nodded, his hand again
pressing the others shoulder.
Sure. Jack, ii 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
:ne, old boys 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
Goberly:
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
for"
He bent down. striving to distin-
guish the dead mans features turned
up to the drizzle, but the night re-
vealed only the faintest outline.
Anybody know him?" There was
30 response. only a shutting of feet
I'm the mud. Here, you man with the
lantern, hold it over where | can see.
There, that is better. Now, you fel.
lows take q look. and see If some of
you can't name the poor devil"
They glanced down. one after the
other, over Bilrs shoulder, shading
their eyes from the rain so as to see
clearer. The light of the Pickering
lantern streamed full on the CHASTITY
lace. but each man shook his head.
and passed on. Keith hung back, hop
ing some one would identify the body,
and not make it necessary for him to
take part in the grewsome task. 1t
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 him.
Here. Jack" he said. gravely, 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
over his eyes and dropped on his
knees into the mud beside the body.
staring speechless into the white face,
the sightless eyes. Hickcck watch
ing him closely and gripped his arm.
What is 1t? Do you know him?"
My God. yes: Fred Willoughby!"