The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1911-05-06

fore him from the knowledge that no
was badly wounded It must be done,
he swore to himself, because it was
for Annie, and all she had, and be-
sides, he had promised to make good.
But he must do something quick-be-
fore his own fame burned out.
y ought to kill all of you" he said,
and whatever effort he was making to
keep steady was not betrayed In his
voice. Il ought to kill you, but I'm
goin' to give You a show.
He passed behind and searched
them for more weapons, making sure
that his work was thorough
Now" he ordered, "pick up your
pal at your feet, because maybe he'll
pull through. guess no one can help
the other one Hit 1t hard for the
gorge, and If either Of you looks back
his light goes out, because I've got
your rifle. and am dead shot"
They picked their grooming CONF
rade up and started
When you see your boss" Jim
called after them, tell him he'll pay
for Annie's cabin or die tSe next time
he meets me. He will, SO help me
God!'
They hurried off with the limp form
between them, and jim, beyond the
freight, knelt weakly on his knees
with rifle showing its menacing mug
zle toward them It seemed ready to
carry his threat into instant execu-
tlon. The moonlight gave them
strange, distorted shapes as they
passed away, grew smaller, more In
distinct, and were finally taken into
the shadows where the waterfall fell
over into the blackness OF the canyon.
Neither had dared to look back Jim's
bluff had worked, and they disap-
peared, believing him unhurt and In
deadly capability.
Jim settled down and ran his hand
inside his shirt, where everything was
sticky and warm. He looked at the
big heap of Goals, up at the hills which
divided him from Holcomb where he
knew were other men, and across the
campfire to where shaggy, white
head, with two dark spots for eyes,
looked gravely at him.
Badly" he said, I'm about all in.
Badly. guess He leaned upon his
rife and slowly gained his feet, after
which he tried to take a step. He,
staggered toward the burro, deter.
mined that he would at least attempt
to reach aid, then weakly pitched for
ward, muttering as he fell: ledge
said there was much in possession.
and I'm here yet. Annie, I'm here
yeti"
The lights of the night now shone
down ON world of stiffness, a grass
strewn valley, bordered by great and
solemn pines, and on man who lay
quiet, white and motionIess, while a
little burro stroye to bring an answer
from silent lips.
Now, Badly didn't have a musical
voice, but it was strong There were
two men riding along on the trail
above who were friends Of Jfm's and
his, and heard him calling for help.
They stopped, saw the embers, and
came down into the valley. They
picked Jim up, drove the spurs deep
into their tired horses, and struck
over for Holcomb, and behind them,
worried and keeping very close at
their heels, came Badly, pat-patting
with his little feet and wondering In
his way what 1t was all about. And
while doctor worked over Jim In
the dance-hall, Badly gazed solsmnly
through the open door, and no one
disturbed him.
It was good many months before
lin took to the trail again; and when
he made his first trip he was pretty
white and wan He came to camp
where the trees were thick and where
he had SO often stopped before, and.
like many other times, a little girl
huddled down between his knees and
big solemn head was at his shout
der.
Annie" he said, you're goin' to
be rich some time, because some men
have agreed to pay you for every gal
Ion OF water that runs over their
dam; but there amt goin' to be no
home there any more for none OF US.
Some men are buildin' a lake to save
water with"
The silence of the night was un-
broken save for the lulling song OF
the brook and the lonesome yelp Of
a coyote, weird and mournful. In the
distance.
And we've got to find q new home
where we can take good care Of Bal.
dy. He's really gittin' little old and
bent"
There came no answer. He stopped
over and In the glow saw that she was
fast asleep. Very gently he picked
her up in his arms. her baby hand
swinging Hstlessly down, and carried
her toward the tent, saying softly:
"sho! She's gone to sleep In her
clean pinny, and--durn 1t all!-shs
forgot to say her prayers!