Semi-weekly herald., 1911-06-12
He told me enough to partially confirm

nghtlng cock wouldn't turn back for
, all the Indians on the plains once he
got an idea In mis- head-he was that
hnd-Lord. you ought to seen tho
/ fght he put up at Spottsylvanisl He
got to Carson City with two wagons.
driver and cook-hsd eight thou
sand dollars with him. too. the damn
fool Cook got into row, gambling, cut
man. and was iugged. Old Waite
wouldn't leave even niger in that
sort OF Unnatural flghter-likes any
kind OF row. So he hung on there at
Carson. but had sense enough-Lord
/ knows where he got ito put all
but a few hundred dollars in Ben
Levy's safe, Then. he went out one
night to play poker with his driver
and a friend-had drink or two
doped. probably. and never woke up
for forty-eight hours-lost clothes.
money, papers, and whole outft-was
Just naturally cleaned out-couldnt
get trace worth following after
You ought to have heard him cuss
when he told met seemed to be tho
papers that bothered him most-them
and the mules"
You say there was no tracer"
Nothing to travel on after forty
eight hours-a posse started out next
morning soon as they found him
when they got back they reported hay
ing run the fellows as far as CHM
maron Crossing there they got across
and escaped"
who led the posse7"
"A man called Black. think" he
said
Black Bart7"
Yes, tbat's the name: so. | reckon
you didn't bury Willis Waite this time,
Captain. You wouldn't have thought
he was a dead one II you had heard
him swear while he was telling the
story-it did him proud; never heard
him do better since the second day at
Gettysburg had his ear shot on
then. and l had to fix him up-Lord.
but he called me n few thinks.''
Keith sat silent, fully convinced
now that the doctor was telling the
truth, yet more puzzled than ever
over the peculiar situation In which
he found himself involved.
here?' he questioned. finally
II haven't much idea" was the
reply. Il don't think | asked him di
rectly | wasn't much Interested
There was hint dropped, however,
now you speak about It, He's keen after
those papers. and doesn't feel satis-
ned regarding the report OF the posse
It's my opinion he's trailing after
Black Bart"
The dining-room was thinning out.
and they were about the only ones left
at the tables. Keith stretched him
self, looking around
Well. Doctor, am very glad to
have met you again. and to learn
Waite is actually alive. This is a
rather queer affair. but will have to
work itself out, Anyway. am too
| dead tired tonight TO hunt after clues
in midst OF this babel. I've been in
the saddle most of the time for 4
week. and have got to find a bed"
| Il reckon you won't discover such
a thing here" dryly. Got seven in a
room upstairs, and others corded
along the hall. Better share my cell
only thing to do
That would be asking too much
| can turn in at the corral with Neb.
I've slept in worse places"
Couldn't think OF It, Keith" and
the doctor got up. Besides. you
sleep at night, don't your"
Usually yes" the other admitted.
Then you won't bother me any
no doctor sleeps at night In Sheridan;
that's our harvest time. Come on.
and I'll show you the way. When
morning comes I'll rout you out and
take my turn"
Keith had enjoyed considerable eI-
perience In frontier hotels, but moth
ing before had ever quite equalled this,
the pride OF Sheridan. The product
OF a mushroom town. which merely eI-
listed by grace OF the temporary rail
way terminus, 1t had been hastily and
nimsily constructed. so 1t could be
transported elsewhere at = moments
notice. Every creak OF a bed echoed
from wall to wall. The thin parti-
tions often failed TO reach the ceiling
by foot or two. and the slightest
noise aroused the entire floor. And
there was noise OF every conceivable
kind, in plenty. from the blare OF
| band at the Pioneer Dance Hall oppo-
site. to the energetic cursiDg OF tho
cook in the rear. discordant din
OF voices surged up from the street
below-laughter. shouts. the shrieks OF
women, a rattle OF dice, an occasional
pistol shot, and the continuous yell
ing OF industrious "barkers." There
wss no safety anywhere. An exploding
revolver in No. Al was quite likely to
disturb the peaceful slumbers Of the
innocent occupant OF No. 1b. and every
sound OF quarrel In the thronged bar
room below caused the lodger to curl
up in momentary expectation OF =
stray bullet coursing toward him
through the floor With this TO trou-
BILE him, he could lie there and hear
erything that occurred within and
without Every creak. stamp. and
snors was faithfully reported: every
curse, blow, snarl reechoed TO his
ears. Inside was hell; outside was
Sheridan.
wearied, and half dead. ~ Keith
was, sleep was simply impossible. He
heard heavy feet trsmping up and
down the hall; once drunken man