Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-08-01

was nothing to shoot at-the fellow
had faded away into the black void
of prairie. Keith stood there bafied.
staring about into the gloom. the
smoking revolver in his hand The
sound OF mems voices behind was all
that reached him, and feeling the use
lessness OF further pursuit. he re-
traced his way back through the mar
row passage.
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 you?" snapped one
sharply. Were you doing all that
shooting yonder?"
Keith recognized the voice. thank
full that he did so.
Il fred 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 a new tone. his hand dropping on
the others shoulder Never was
gladder to meet fellow in my life
Boys. this is an cid deputy of mine
down in Dodge. When he gives up
chasin' a murderer there isn't much
use our tryin'. Let's go back, and find
out how bad the fellow is hurt While
were feelin' our way, Jack. you might
tell US what YOU know about this al
fair"
1T was just the fash 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, 1t was me"
You? Then it's likely you have
some notion who he was?"
We'll, ii I have. Bill" and Keith's
lips were set tight. I'm not liable to
tell you II it's the had 1 think likely,
I'll attend 10 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 dippin' into private
matters. l 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"
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
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-
guish the dead mans features turned
up to the drizzle. but the night re-
vealed only the faintest outline.
Anybody know him." There was
no response, only a shutting of feet
in tho mud. Here, you man with the
lantern, hold It over where ! can see.
There, that is better. Now, you fell
lows take a look. and see If some of
you can't name the poor devil"
They glanced down, one after the
other, over Bill's shoulder. shading
their eyes from the rain so as to see
clearer. The light Of the hickering
lantern streamed full on the CHASTITY
face, but each man shook his head,
and passed on. Keith hung back. hop
ing seine one would identify the body,
and not make # necessary for him to
take part in the greweome task. 1t
was not likely 10 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
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