The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-08-05

~ was pidlHS luslluCJ, or rdCuef
long training In the open, which en-
abled him to retain any true sense OF
direction, for beyond the narrow
fringe Of cottonwoods along the
stream, nothing was visible, the eyes
scarcely able even to distinguish
where earth and sky met. They ad-
vanced across a bare level, without
elevation or depression, yet the sand
appeared sufficiently solid. SO that
their horses were forced into a swing
Ing lope, aud they seemed to fairly
press aside the black curtain, which
as instantly swung shut once more,
and closed them In. The pounding
hoofs made little noise, and they
pressed steadily onward. closely
punched together, SO as not to lose
each other. dim. spectral shadows fit
ting through the night. a very part OF
that grim oesolation surrounding
them. No one of the three felt like
speaking; the gloomy. brooding des-
ert oppressed them, their vagrant
thoughts assuming the tinge of their
surrundings; their hope centered on
escape. Keith rode, grasping the rein
of the woman's horse in his left hand,
and bending low In vain effort at pick
Ing path. He had nothing to aim
toward, yet sturdy confidence In his
expert plainscraft yielded him sufi-
cient sense Of direction. He had noted
the bark Of the cottonwoods. the direc-
tion of the wind, and steered a course
accordingly straight northward, alert
to avert any variation.
The girl rode easily. although In q
mans saddle, the stirrups much too
long. Keith glanced aside with swift
approval at the erectness with which
she sat, the lOosened rein In her hand,
the slight swaying of her form. He
could appreciate horsemanship, and
the easy manner In which she rode
relieved him Of one anxiety. 1t even
caused him to break the silence.
"You are evidently accustomed to
riding, Miss Hope"
She glanced across at him through
the darkness, as though suddenly sur.
prised from thought. her words not
coming quickly
Il cannot remember when first
mounted a horse; in earliest child
hood, surely. although have not rid
den much Of late. This one is like q
rocking chair"
He belonged to your friend. Mr.
Hawley."
She drew a quick breath. her face
again turned forward.
"Who--who Is that man? Do you
know"
II possess passing acquaintance"
ne answered. uncertain yet how muoA
to tell her, but tempted to reveal all
in test Of her real character. Few do
not who live along the Kansas Dor.
der"
DO you mean he is q notoriously
bad character?
81 have never heard Of his being
held up as a model to the young, Miss
Miss Hope" he returned more soberly.
convinced that she truly possessed no
real knowledge regarding the man,
and was not merely pretending inno-
cence. IL had never heard him called
Hawley before, and, therefore. failed
TO recognize him under that respect
able name. But | knew his voice the
moment he entered the cabin, and real.
tied that some devilment was afoot.
Every town along this frontier has his
record, and I've met him maybe q
dozen times in the past three years.
He Is known as Black Bart is a
gambler by profession, desperate %
reputation. and .ur by nature. Just
now | suspect him of being even deep
er In the mire than this"
He could tell by the quick clasping
Of her hands on the pommel of the
saddle the effect of his words, but
waited until the silence compelled her
to speak
"Oh, didn't know! You do not be-
lteve that ever suspected such a
thing? That ever met him there
underc tandiHg who he was?"
mo, do not" he answered. What
overheard between you convinced
me you were the victim of deceit. But
your going to that place alone was q
most reckless act"
She lifted her hand to her eyes, her
head dropping forward.
Wasn't 1t what he told me--the
outstation of a ranch?"
mo; have ridden this country for
years, and there Is no ranch pasturing
cattle along the Salt Fork. Miss Hope,
want you to comprehend what 1t is
you have escaped from; what you are
now fleeing from. Within the last two
years an apparently organized body
OF outlaws have been operating
throughout this entire region. Often.
times disguised as Indians, they have
terrorized the Santa Fe trail for two
hundred miles, killing travellers In
small parties, and driving of stock.
There are few ranches as far west as
this. but these have all suffered from
raids These follOwa hovo doro v,~ora