The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-05-10
CHAPTER xl.
(Continued.l

"Landray." he called loudly. You
and your brother had better come
here"
The two men dropped their knives,
and strobe toward him in haste.
Basil must let Rogers Alone said
Bushrod. Cant he see the mans
sick and TO be pitied?"
They had entered the woods, and
now they came out upon Its furthest
margin and upon a surprising group.
Rogers, pale and Shaking with rage,
Basil very red In the face, and three
figures on horseback. One OF these
was a white man. q tall fellow In q
ragged uniform, which they recognize
ed as that Of the Mounted Rifles; his
two companions were wrapped In
gaudy blankets, their long rifles rest
ing across the horns OF their saddles.
Stephen and BushrOd instantly
OWNED that they were half-breeds,
while the likeness they bore each
other was sufficiently marked to indi.
cate that they were brothers. Their
glance was fixed on the fur trader.
but the stoical composure they main
tanned told nothing Of what was pass
ing In their minds. The white man,
too. was preserving a strictly impair
tial silence.
Rogers was saying: Il got as much
10 say about this a. any one
Basil lowered at him with sour
hatred. You? Who the hell are
you? You amt got dollar in the
OUTFIT"
II got what counts for money" an
swered Rogers. and shook his INST In
Basips face.
whats the matter, Rasil?" de-
manded the Landrays In q breath.
The fur trader smiled rather sheep
ishly Its this fool, Rogers, he be-
gan sullenly.
"Oh, 20 to hell" interrupted Ros'
ers. He pointed TO the three silent
figures on horseback and cried nerce.
~: This half-breed outfits his!"
Easy" said the uniformed stran'
ger, with a light, goOd-natured laugh.
I'm no half-breed, and I'm just mighty
glad to see you white folks
"And who are your" demanded
Stephen.
"lt's too bad, Cap, but l came of in
such a hurry l clean left my kyards
behind. but II you'll take my word
for It. Raymond's my name He
leaned slightly toward Stephen as he
spoke. with an air of winning candour.
I'm real put out that yonder psrty's
30 upset" He spoke with grave con.
Germ. Yes, sir, real put out I"
"But who are you? And what are
you doing here?"
"Raymond's my name, Cap" repeat.
ed the stranger affably. Like ! should
spell II for your"
Where's his rife. why Amt he
armed, and how does II come he
knows your cousin" said Rogers.
"Party's eyesight amt failing him
yet" murmured the stranger In a tone
Of caressing confidence TO Stephen.
We'll" he added, since you seem to
object to us. me and my friends
here'll just cut loose"
mo you don't, Raymond" cried
Basil angrily.
"See you in Salt Lake" said Ray.
mond, gathering up his reins. En-.
Quire for me-
"I'll see you all the way there, too, "
retorted Basil with an oath. He
spoke sharply to the half.brerds. who
~ once closed up. one on et.ch side
Of Raymond. The latter dropped back
In his saddle. relaxing his hold on
the bride rein. Stephen regarded
him In silence for a moment.
Didn't I see you at Fort Laramie?''
he asked.
The stranger. still smiling. nodded
and raising his hand to the corner of
his mouth spat decorously back Of Il.
"In the colonel's quarters. was II
.not?" said Stephen sterniy.
1.-THE blamed old tarrapin was snap.
ping away at me right lively" he was
still smiling pleasantly. He gestured
slightly with his hand. A"Out here
me and him would have had some
sort Of falling out l reckon, but back
yonder had to swallow what he said
though his words were chokv enough
Them army mems real candid,
Il believe you had attempted to
DESERT said stephen. with illy-con.
r'oeeled disgust
well. You might call II an attempt
reckon the colonel counts II more
tan tAat. held the lead for more