Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1912-06-13
CHAPTER lIl.-(contlnued.)

| ilOu luo river, turned Sharply INTO a
narrow ravine. There was consid-
cradle break in the rocky barrier
here leading back for perhaps hun
dred yards. and the plainsman turned
his horse that way dismounting when
! out OF sight among the bouldcrs. He
could rest here until night with little
danger OF discovery He lay down on
the rocks. pillowing his head on the
saddle but his brain was too active
20 permit sleeping Finally he drew
the letters from out his pocket, and
began examining them They yield
ed very little information. those TAX
en- from the older man having no en-
velopes TO show TO whom they had
been addressed The single document
found in the pocket OF the other was
memorandum OF account at the
Pioneer store at Topeka. charged 10
John Sibley, and marked paid This
then must have been the younger
mans name. as the letters TO the 9th
er began occasionally Dear VIII"
They were missives such as wife
might write TO a husband long alb
sent. yet upon a mission OF deep in
terest TO both Keith could not fully
determine what this mission might be.
as the persons evidently understood
each other so thoroughly that mere
allusion took the place OF detail
Twice the name Phyllis was mention.
ed. and once Fred was also re-
ferrod to. but in neither instance
clearly enough 10 reveal the relation
ship although the latter appeared to
be pleaded for Certain references
caused the belief that these letters had
been mailed from some small Mis-
souri, town. but no name was men
toned They were invariably signed
MARY" The only other paper Keith
discovered was a brief itinerary Of the
Santa Fe trail extending as far west
as the Ration Mountains. giving the
usual camping spots and places where
water was accessible. He slipped the
papers back into his pocket with a
distinct feeling OF disappointment
and lay back staring up at the little
strip OF blue sky. The silence was
profound. even his horse standing mo-
tionless. and finally he fell asleep.
The sun had disappeared. and even
J the gray OF twilight was fading out OF
: the sky. when Keith returned again
' to consciousness. aroused by his
z horse rolling on the soft turf He
Il awoke thoroughly refreshed. and
Al eager to get away on his long nights
ride a cold lunch. hastily eaten. for
fire would have been dangerous.
and he saddled up and was of. trot-
z - . ha t.ftN nd f,,tr
the broad trail. which could be fol
II lowed without difficulty under the dull
CLEAN OF the stars. Horse and rider
were soon at their best. the animal
swinging unurged into the long. easy
n. iope OF prairie travel. the fresh all
tanning the mans face as he leaned
re forward Once they halted TO drink
If from a narrow stream. and then push
ed on. hour after hour. through tn,
deserted night Keith had little flea,
10 OF Indian raiders in that darkness
- and every stride OF his horse brough
him closer TO the settlements anC
further removed from danger. Ye
=, eyes and ears were alert TO ever,
!" shadow and sound. Once. II mus
'" have been after midnight, he drew hi
pony sharply back into "A rock SHADOW
AZ the noise OF something approach
Ing from the east The stage to Sant
We Fe ratified past. the four mules troi
ting swiftly. n squad OF troopers rio
ty Ing hard behind II was merely
Jumping shadow sweeping swift
mast; he could perceive the dim on
lines OF driver and guard. the soldier
Ia. hot hnu I'd
pounding OF hoofs. the creak OF axlel
and then the apparition disappeare
Into the black void He had not eel
al ed out-what was the use? Those pei
ple would never pause to hunt dow
prairie outlaws. and their guard wa
suflic to prevent attack. They a.
,,o knowledged but one duty-to get III
9, mail through on time.
The dust OF their passing still In II
~, air. Keith rode on. the noise dyin
away In his rear. As the hours pas
ed, his horse wearied and had to [
spurred into the swifter stride. p'
the man seemed tlreless. The sun WI
an hour high when they climbed tr
no long hill. and loped into Carson CIT
OF The cantonment was to the right. b'
III Keith, having no report to make roc
directly ahead down the one Tor
ok street to livery corral. leaving h
horse there, and sought the neare
restaurant.
Exhausted by night OF high phi
and deep drinking. the border toV
ias was sleeping on It's debauch' ssioo
and gambling dens silent. the stree
ed almost deserted. To Keith. whose Il
l. - ..o,,trtanca with the place b