The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-05-21
CHAPTER EioHTEEN.
(Coutinued.)

EN- In Missouri before they was run
out OF the state II must be mighty
3 nourishing belief for q man who AIM
no ways industrious himself and YET
likes TO see things going forward, but
II must be powerful harassing on the
ladies. Still, / reckon it's lot easier
for q dozen ladies. IL | was a Nor
non, l allow that's the way ] would
oook at IT. He turned TO his com
panion. but Jim's glance was fixed
ahead: he was giving no heed TO what
his friend was saying. but the latter
was in no wise discouraged by his lack
Of interest. Il seen 10 Smith before
no was killed; may say ] knowed
him slightly"
did you have a hand in that?'
asked Jim. and he now displayed a
languid interest. but the Missourian
shook his head.
mo, you bloodthirsty cuss. and I'm
mighty glad | didn't"
BY a glance Jim inquired why.
well. you see. there's been a right
smart fatality among them that did;
considerable many OF them has died
since. This heah Smith was a
prophet; he run the whole doggone
sh0otin' match he done II by revela-
tion: and no matter what he'd said
before, or promised. or sworn 10. II
he changed his mind. all he done. was
to get q new revelation and In the
end II was these heah revelations that
soured his dough- q man who got his
orders direct from the Lord, people
found want good neighbor. II
made him too blame arrogant. for one
thing"
They had ascended long, rocky
incline. and had gone down q steep
bouldsrstrewn declivity: now the
walls Of the pass fell away and they
entered wide valley: 1t was cres.
cent-shaped, and possibly fifteen miles
IN length, while It's breadth was half
that. 1t was without timber except
for . sparse growth which could be
distinguished toward the west. Both
men knew there would be no water
until they reached this timber, for, as
they moved along, the level plain be-
came more and more barren, while
from under the feet OF their mules a
nne white dust arose and enveioped
them.
Presently the Missourian refined In
his mule, and pointed with a long
foreonger to something on the ground
In front Of him.
Look heah. Mr.. Orphan, what do
you make OF those there?"
Jim answered with a slightly net
tied air.
Wagon tracks. What did you sup
pose. I'd make Of them?"
Yes. but they are going our way
see where that mule planted a hoof
beside yonder bunch OF cactus? How
do you reckon they got heah? They
couldn't have come up the trail we
came by; you couldn't drag a wagon
through there for the rocks, not to
save your neck!"
that's sol" agreed Jim. But
reckon there's q way In below" He
glanced over HE shoulder. You can
go where their trail runs OF to the
oouth.
Il reckon that's It," said the Mis-
eourian.
Il was some hours later when the
Afternoon was wearing to close, that
the Nisuourian called his friends at
tontion TO Z low Hill which rose from
TIE perfectly level plain. As they
nearod II, two buxxards rose lazily
from the summit Of this hill; and
Grey object, the sise Of . mongrel dog.
Ned down it, nearest slope and skur-
rlod away toward the timber. The
HisDourian noticed this; nothing
eoeaped his mild, injurious eyes.
II wondsr what's up yonder. Hello!
Right smart Of . crowds been heah.
How old do you reckon them signs 10,
Jlynf" and no drew In his mule.
Jim scrutinised the ground before
~ answered.
''Horses this time; amt It? May.
y they are . week DID, but he un-
0lung the long rife he carried at.
tocA6d % his saddle; seeing which the
1iooourian laughed
Nov, what 40 you allow to use that
On, Jim3 Don't you see 1t Amt In.
o1Anof Most Of these HOSES had their
forefest shod. Emigrants, don't you
reckonr'
He pushed back his hat, and leaned
forward In his saddle.
They seem to have been doing
right smart cavorting about heah.
don't they? Some pretty aimless rid.
Ing for folks who was going anywhere
A particular-no-" slowly, they Ger.
tainly seemed pushed for time-these
HOSES was on the jump. Say. Jim.
why do you reckon they was on the
Jump He moved forward a step, or
two, with his mild eyes still fixed on
the ground. Fact is. they seem to
have been riding In q sort of circle
about this heah hill"
A dark shadow slipped across the
sandy plain. and the Missourian
glanced up quickly. IL was another
bux3ard: but II was winging Its way
toward the hill. His glance followed
tilt new straight, with large lazy
dappings.
THAT bird certainly knows where
it's going, and 1t amt wasting no time
In getting there; what do you reck-
one on that hill, JIM"
Jim moved uneasily In his saddle.
but he managed to say with tolerable
composure.
"If you're SO blame curious, why
don't you 90 see?"
well. I'm doggone certain II left
it to you we'd never know
I'VE wouldn't the other said POSI-
lively.
well you hold my mule; I'm going
mp" He swing himself out Of the sad
die. and strobe on up the hill. He
Gnluod the summit, and paused there,
9 tan dark ngure against the red Of
the sunset
"oh. JIM" Come heah!" he pres
eatly called.