The citizen., 1913-08-29

L
was aware that even now Black
het'ies winter camp of hostiles was
io' lar away. This hut might. of
course be the deserted site of some
olu COW camp, some outriders shack.
Dut-the fellow who fired on them, He
was reality-a dangerous reality
ana he was hiding somewhere close
at hand.
Inc sergeant stole along the front
10 the door, listening intently for any
warning sound from either without or
within. Every nerve was on edge: all
else forgotten except the intensity Of
the moment. He could perceive moth.
ing to alarm him, no evidence of any
presence inside. Slowly. noiselessly,
MS Colt poised for instant action. he
llfted the wooden latch, and permitted
tne door to- swing slightly aiar Yield
ing glimpse within. There was light
from above, flittering dimly through
some crevice in the bluff, and the
darker shadows were Redeemed bv the
cheery glow OF fire place directly op.
posite, although where the smoke dis.
appeared was not at first evident
Hamlin perceived these features at
glance, standing motionless. His
quick eyes visioned the whole interior
"a rude table and bench, rifle lean.
ing In one corner a saddle and tran.
pings hanging against the wall;
oroad-brlmmed hat on the floor, pile
OF skins beyond. There was an ap-
pearance of neatness also, the floor
swept, the table unlittered Yet he
scarcely realized these details at the
time so closely was his whole atten-
ton centered on the figure of a man.
fhe fellow occupied a stool before
me fireplace. and was bending slight
~ forward, staring down at the red
embers, unconscious of the intruder
de was a thin-chested, unkempt in
0ividual with long hair, and shaggy
whiskers. both iron gray. The side
OF his face and neck had sallow look
while his nose was prominent. The
sergeant surveyed him moment, his
cooked revolver covering the motion
less figure, his lips set grimly. Then
he stepped within and closed the door
At the slight sound the other leaped
to his feet, oyerturning the stool. and
whirled about swiftly, his right hand
dropping to his belt
That will do, friend" Hamlins
voice rang stern
Stand as you are-your gun is "
ing on the bench yonder. Rather
careless of you in this country No
| wouldn't risk it il | was you; this
is a hair trigger
The fellow stared helpless into the
Sergeant's gray eyes.
"Who-who the hell are you?" he
managed to articulate hoarsely, "a
a soldier?"
Hamlin nodded, willing enough to
let the other talk.
"You're-youre not one O Le-
Fevre's OUTFIT"
whose"
Gene lie Feyre-the damn skunk;
you know him."
Startled as he was the sergeant
held himself firm, and laughed
81 reckon there isn't any one by
that name a friend O. mine" he said
ccclly $50 you're free to relieve
your feelings as far as I'm concerned
We're you expecting that gent along
this traiI??"
Yes. l was. an 'twa'n't no pleas
ant little reception l lowed to give
him neither Say, Wouldn't yer just
as soon lower thet shootin' iron? We
amt got no call to quarrel SO fur as
| kin see
Maybe not, stranger" and Ham
lin leaned back against the table, low
ering his weapon slightly, as he
glanced watchfully about the room,
but I'll keep the gun handy just the
same until we understand each other,
Anybody else in this neighborhood Y"
Not unless it's lie Fevre. an his
outfit"
Then | reckon you did the shoot
ing out there a bit ago.
The man shuffled uneasily, but the
sergeant's right hand came to level.
Did you?"
Il s'pose thar amt no use o deny
in it," reluctantly, cycling the gun In
the corner. but | didn't mean to
shoot up no outfit but lie Fevre's. So
help me. didn't The DANCED snow
was so thick couldn't see nohow. but
| never s'posed any one was on the
trail cept him. Thar amt been no
white man long yere in three months.
Didn't hit none of yer, did I?'
"Yes, you did," returned Hamlin
slowly, striving to hold himself In
check. You killed one of the best
fellows that ever rode these plains,
you sneaking coward, you. Shot MIN
dead, with his back to you. Now, see
here it's throw of the dice with
me whether | fill you full of lead, or
let YOU go. | came in here intending
to kin you. IL you were the cur who
shot us up. But I'm willing to listen
to- what you have got to say. I'm some
on the fight, but plain murder don't
appeal to me. How is it? Are you
ready to talk? Spit it out, mani"
II tell yer jest how it was"
DO it my way then; answer
straight what ask you. Who are
Won? What are you doing here"
kin / sit DOWN.
"Yes: make 1t short now; all l
want is facts" :,
"Wal, my name Is Hughes-Jed
-, urtnr hnnp ont around San