The Red Cloud chief., 1912-04-25

Good night 90. good.by." He
turned away, and Betty saw his tall
form disappear in the twilight
A month and more had elapsed
since Bob Yancy's trial. Just two
days later man and boy disappeared
from Scratch Hill. Murrell was soon
on their trail and pressing forward
In hot pursuit. Reaching the noun.
tains, he heard OF them first as ten
days ahead Of him and bound for
west Tennessee: the ten days dwin-
died to week, the week became tive
days, the five days three; and now
as he emerged from the last range OF
hills he caught sight OF them.
Yancy glanced back at the blue wall
Of the mountains where 1t lay along
the horizon.
well, Nevvy." he said. we've put
a heap Of distance between us and
old Scratch HILL"
For the past ten days their journey
had been conducted in a leisurely
fashion. As Yancy said, they we're
seeing the world, and 1t was we'll to
take a good look at 1t while they had
chance.
Suddenly out OF the silence came
the regular beat OF hoofs. These
grew nearer and nearer, and at last
when they were quite close, Yancy
faced about. Smilingly Murrell refined
In his horse.
"Why-Bob Yancy!" he cried In
apparent astonishment.
"Yes. sir-Bob Yancy. Does It hap
pen you are looking TO him. Cap
tain" inquired Yancy.
Mono. Bob. I'm on my way
west"
Murrell slipped from his saddle ana
fell into step at Yancy's side as they
moved forward.
"They were nightly stirred up at
the Cross Roads when left. wonder.
ing what had come of you." he OBJ.
served.
That's kind Of them." responded
Yancy. q little dryly. There was no
reason for 1t. but he was becoming
distrustful Of Murrell, and uneasy.
They went forward in silence. A
sudden turn In the toad brought them
to the edge Of an extensive clearing.
Close to the road there were several
buildings. but not Q tree had been
spared to shelter them and they stood
forth starkly. the completing touch to
q civilization that was still In its
youth. unkempt, rather savage. and
ruthlessly utilitarian. A sign an.
nounced the dingy structure OF logs
nearest the roadside tavern.
From the door Of the tavern the
figure of q man emerged. lie was
black.haired and bull.necked. and
there was about him a certain shag.
giness which recent toilet performed
at the horse trough had not served to
mitigate.
"Howdy?" he drawled.
"Howdy?" responded Mr.. Yancy.
"shall you stop here?" asked Muir.
rell. sinking his voice. Yancy nodded.
Can you put US up?" inquired Muir.
rell. turning to the tavern-keeper.
II reckon that's what I'm here for"
said Slosson. Murrell glanced about
the empty yard. SLACK" observed
Slosson languidly. "Yes. sir. siack's
the only name for It," II was under
stood he referred to the state OF trade.
He looked from one to the other OF
the two men. AS his eyes rested on
Murrell, that gentleman raised the
first three fingers of his right hand.
The gesture was ever 30 little. yet It
seemed to have a tonic effect on Mr..
Slosson. What might have developed
into q smile had he not Immediately
suppressed 1t, twisted his bearded
lips az he made an answering move
ment. "Eph. come here. you!" Slos.
son raised his voice. This call
brought half-grown black boy from
about corner OF the tavern. to whom
Murrell relinQuished his horse.
Lets liquor" said the captain over
his shoulder. moving OF in the direc.
tion of the bar.
"Come on. Nevvy!" said Yancy fol.
lowing. and they all entered the tav.
ern.
! "Well. here's to the best OF good
luck!" said Murrell. az he raised his
glass to his lips.
| Same hore, responded Yancy.
Murrell pulled out roll OF bills, one
of which he tossed ON the bar. Then
after q moments hesitation he de.
tached q second bill from the roll and
turned to Hannibal.
"Here. youngster--a present for
you." be said good.naturedly. Hanni'
bal. embarrassed by the unexpected
gift, edged to his Uncle Bob's side.
Thank you, sir" said the boy.
Lets have another drink" sug'
gested Murrell.
Presently Hannibal stole out into
the yard. He stili held the bill In bis
hand, for he did not quite know how
to dispose Of his great wealth. After
debating this matter for moment he
knotted II carefully in one corner Of
his handkerchief.