Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1913-10-03

terS. Hamlin NEW this; he q met
and talked with those driven out, and
he was var hat ever now Black
Kettles winter camp of hostiles wal
no far away. This hut might, OF
course. be the deserted site Of some
old COW camp, some outrider's shack.
but-the fellow who fred on them! He
was . reality-a dangerous reality
and he was hiding somewhere close
at hand.
The sergeant stole along the front
to 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.
his Colt poised for instant action, he
lifted the wooden latch, and permitted
the door to swing slightly ajar, yield
ing a glimpse within. There was light
from above, ~flittering dimly through
some crevice in the bluff, and the
darker shadows were Redeemed by the
CHEEKY glow Of a fire place directly OPP
posite. although where the smoke dis
SPPSNASo was w a. ulSt SVlQcuL-
Hamlin perceived these features at a
glance. standing motionless. His
quick eyes visioned the whole interior
"a rude table and bench. a rifle lean
ing In one corner a saddle and trap
pings hanging against the wall: a
broad-brfmmed hat On the floor, a 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 wat his whole atten-
ton centered OF the figure of a man.
The fellow occupied a stool before
he fireplace. and was bending slight
~ forward, staring down at the red
embers. unconscious of the intruder.
He was a thin-chested. unkempt In
oividual with long hair. and shaggy
whiskers, both iron gray. The side
OF his face and neck had a sallow look,
while his nose was prominent. The
sergeant surveyed him q 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. overturning the stool, and
whirled about swiftly. his right hand
dropping to his belt.
That will do, friend!" Hamlin's
voice rang stern.
Stand as you are-your gun Is ly-
ing on the bench yonder. Rather
careless OF you In this country. No.
"A wouldn't risk 1t IL / was you: this
II a hair trigger"
The fellow stared helpless into the
S~ergeant's gray eyes.
"Who-who the hell are your" he
managed to articulate hoarsely, "a
q soldier?'
Hamlin nodded. willing enough to
let the other talk.
"You're-you're not one O. Le-
Fevre's outft?"
"Whose?"
Gene LIE Fevre-the damn skunk;
you know him?"
Startled as he was. the sergeant
held himself Arm, and laughed.
I reckon there isn't n n BY
that name a friend O. mine.' he said
ccclly. so you're free to relieve
your feelings as far as I'm concerned.
Were o. expecting that gent along
this trail?"
Eyes. was. an want nc pleas
ant little reception l lowed 70 give
him neither. Say! Wouldn't yer Just
az soon lower thet shootin' iron? We
amt got no call to quarrel 80 fur a
I kin see."
Maybe not, stranger and Ham
lin leaned back against the table. low
orfnN hts DAavH~~ li~hk1- $500 -
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?'
Not unless its LIE Fevre. an his
outnt."
Then I reckon you did the shoot
Ing out there = bit ago?"
The man shuffled uneasily. but the
~ssrgeant's right hand came to . level.
did your
II s'pose thar amt no use O. deny
In IT." reluctantly. cycling the gun in
the corner, but didn't mean to
shoot mp no outat but LIE Fevrs's. So
help me. I didn't! The DANCED snow
va 20 thick l couldn't zee nohow. but
never s'possd any n was on the
trail 'cept him. Thar amt been no
white man long we're in thrss months.
Didn't hit one Of yer. did II"
yes. you did," returned Hamlin
slowly. striving to hold himself In
check "You killed one Of the best
fellows that aver rode these plains.
You snsaking coward. you. Shot him
dead. with his back to you. Now. zee
hers, its ! throw Of the dice with
mo whether I NIL you full Of lead. or
lot you 30. / came In here intending
70 hill you. II you were tho cur who
shot ~ mp. But I'm willing to listen
70 what You have got to ray. I'm some
on the night. but plain murder don't
appeal 70 me. How IL It? Are you
ready to talk? Spit It out, mani"
TIL tell yer Jest how It was"
DO It my way then; answer
straight what / ask you. Who are
you? What arc you doing heref"
kin I sit DOWN."
Yes; make It short now: al I
want 4 facts
"wal, my name u Hushes-Jed
Hughes: | lister hang ont around San
Antoine. an hsv been mostly In the
Ecow business. The last 0ve years Le
Ebvre m I hev been graxin' cattle in
botween ysrs an Bu6alo Creek"
sRnrtnoro9
Wal. ~ God! / Thought %, tin lust
ilatelys~ his voice rising. Anyhow. |
h01 bnnoA u money IN "a the deal.
Efno0G& m - dofnoA II know inst