Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1912-10-18
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
ful that he did So
81 fred at the fellow, but he got
away onto the prairie. | reckon you
couldn't have done any better, Bill"
Jack Keith" and Hickocks voice
had a new tone, his hand dropping on
the others shoulder Never was
gladder 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
were feelin' our way, Jack, you might
tell us what you know about this af
fair"
1T was just the flash of gun, and
the man dropped" Keith explained,
briefly. 81 was ten or dozen feet
behind. and the fellow fired from un-
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.
Ill attend to the case myself. You
understand-this is my personal az
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. 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"
II 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
sobery:
Hes 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-
\ 4. l. ffTT~t-
makes 1t 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 the mud. Here, you man with the
lantern, hold 1t over where can see
There, that is better. Now, you fel
lows take look. and see If some Of
you can't name the poor devil"
They glanced down. one after tn,
other, over Bills shoulder, shadins
their eyes from the rain so as to sex
clearer. The light Of the flickerin1
lantern streamed full on the ghastl,
face, but each man shook his head
and passed on. Keith hung back, hop
ing some one would identify the body
and not make 1t necessary for him t,
take part In the grewsome task. /
was not likely to be any one he knew
and besides. he felt the man had die,
in his stead, and he dreaded to lool
upon the stricken face. When the las
OF the group had drifted back out O
the radius of light. Hickock looked VI
and saw him.
Here, Jack he said, gravely. "yol
better try--you might know him"
Keith bent over and looked down
AS he did SO his heart seemed to ris
choking into his throat, and a blu
obscured his sight He swept ham