Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1911-12-29
CHAPTER Xxiv.-(continued.)

A group was gathered about the
body in the rain, single lantern
glimmering 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
full that he did so.
Il fired 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 new tone, his hand dropping on
the others shoulder. Never was
gladden. to meet a fellow in my life.
Boys. this is an old deputy of mine
down in Dodge When he gives up
chasin' murderer there isn't much
use our tryin'. Let's go back. and find
out how bad the fellow is hurt While
we're feelin' our way, Jack, you might
tell us what you know about this af-
fair"
1T was just the flash of a gun, and
the man dropped" Keith explained,
briefly. Il was ten or a 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 he was?"
We'll. If | have. Bill" and Keith's
lips were set tight, I'm not liable to
tell you. II it's the lad think likely,
I'll attend to the case myself You
understandable is my 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 dinpin' 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"
l 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
for
He bent down. striving to distin-
gulsh the dead mans features turned
up 70 the drizzle, but the night re-
vealed only the faintest outline.
Anybody know him?" There was
no response. only a shutting of feet
IN the mud Here, you man with the
lantern, hold 1t over where | can see.
Ihere. that IS better Now, you fell
lows take look, and see if some OF
you can name the poor DEVIL
They glanced down, one after the
other, over Bits 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 Que would identity the body.
take part in the grewsome task. 1t
was not likely to be any one he knew
aud 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
ooscured his sight. He swept a hand
over his eyes and dropped on his
knees into the mud beside the body.
staring speeches. into the white face,
the s1ghtless eyes. Hickock watch
Ing him closely and gripped his arm.
What is it? Do you know him?"
My God. yes; Fred Willoughby!"
cLADTEp