The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1912-08-16
CHAPTER xX,v.-(Continued.)

A group was gathered about the
tody in the ran. a single lantern
E'immering. 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
fl that he did SO.
Il fired at the fellow. but he got
away onto the prairie. | reckon you
nuldn't have done any better, Bill"
Jack Keith" and Hickock's voice
bid a new tone, his hand dropping on
tie others shoulder. Never a
< adder to meet a fellow In my life.
boys. this is an old deputy OF mine
down In Dodge. When he gives up
cNasin' a murderer there isn't much
uEe our tryin'. Let's go back. and find
out how bad the fellow is hurt. While
we're feelin' our way. Jack. you might
tell us what you know about this az
fair"
1t was just the dash of a gun, and
tie man dropped" Keith explained.
briefly. II was ten or a 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
sume notion who he was?"
We'll. If ! have. Bill" and Keith's
lips we're set tight. I'm not liable to
tell you. IL it's the lad | think likely,
I'll attend to 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. | rather reckon you can
take care of yourself. but Il you need
me. old boy. I'm always right here on
the job. You know that"
Il do. Bin. and appreciate it.
The group about the m~otionless
body fell away. and made room for the
marshal. the last man to rise saying
soberly:
Hes dead all right. Hickock. |
guess he never knew what hit him.
Good shootin'. too. dark as 1t Is here"
Had the range fixed. likely" re-
turned the marshal. That's what
makes it look like 1t was
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 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 Bills shoulder, shading
their eyes from the rain so as to see
clearer. The light of the Pickering
lantern streamed full on the CHASTITY
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 to
take part in the grewsome task. 1t
was not likely to 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 vi
and saw him.
Here. Jack" he said. gravely. "you
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 q blu
ohscured his sigat. He swept a hare