The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1918-02-28
CHAPTER X.

Gordon Invites Himself to Dinner
and Does Not Enjoy 1t.
Big Bill and his companions reached
Kamatlah early next day. They re-
ported at once to Selfridge. It had
been the intention Of Wally to vent
upon them the bad temper that had
been gathering ever since his talk with
Elliot. But his first sarcastic ques-
ton drew such snarl of anger that
he reconsidered. The men were both
sullen and furious.
The little man became alarmed. In
stead Of reproaches he gave them soft
words and promises. The company
would see them through. 1t would pro-
tect them against criminal procedure,
But above all they must stand pat in
denial. A conviction would be impos-
sible even If the states attorney filed
an indictment against them. Mean
| while they would remain on the COM
pany pay roll.
Gordon Elliot was a trained inyesti-
gator. Even without Holt at his side
he would probably have unearthed the
truth about the Kamatlah situation.
But with the little miner by his side
to tell him the facts, he found his task
an easy one.
Selfridge followed orders and let
him talk with the men freely. All OF
them had been drilled till they knew
their story like parrots. They were
suspicious of the approaches Of Ell
hot, but they had been warned that
they must appear to talk candidly
The result was that some talked too
much and some not enough. They lei
slip admissions under skillful exami
nation that could be explained on NJ
other basis than that of ccmpan!
ownership.
Both Selfridge and Rowland outdit
themselves in efforts to establish clos'
social relations. But Gordon was care
full to put himself under no obligations
Within two weeks Elliot had fin
ished his work at kamatlah.
"Off for Kusiak tomorrow" he toll,
Holt that night.
The old miner went with him as
guide to the big bend. Gordon hat
no desire to attempt again Fifty Mil
swamp without the help Of someon
who knew every foot of the trail. Wit
Holt to show the way the swamp be
came merely hard, grueling mus
through Doggy lowlands.
Weary with the trail, they reaches
the river at the end of long da,
An Indian village lay sprawled alon
the bank, and through this the tw
men tramped to the roadhouse wher
they were to put up for the night.
Holt called to the younger man, VIII
was at the time in the lead.
"Wait q minute, Elliot"
Gordon turned. The old Alaska
was Offering a quarter to little hall
naked Indian boy. Shyly the foul
year-Old came forward, a step at
time, his finger in his mouth.
"What's your name, kidd" Ho
flashed look at Elliot that warne
him to pay attention.
"Colmac," the boy answered basl
fully.
His fist closed on the quarter, h
turned, and like startled caribou b
fed to comedy young Indian woma
standing near the trail.
With cleaning eyes Holt turned
a Elliot. '"Take good look at Il
t squaw," he said in low voice.
1 Elliot glanced at the woman benin
e whose skirts the youngster was hi
}. ing. "She's not bad looking, If that
: what you mean," he said after tht
had taken up the trail again.
+ "You amt the only white man tn
has thought that" retorted the o
= miner significantly.
e "No?" Gordon had learned to /
/ Holt tell things at his leisure. It us