The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1918-02-22
about the meeting that otherwise
would never have taken place.
CHAPTER TX.
The Rah.Rah Bow Functions

INC hdT-ndn boy FUNCTIONS.
Big Bill grumbled a good deal at the
addition to the party. 1t would be de-
cidedly awkward If this stranger
should become rational and under.
stand the status of the camp he had
joined. The word of old Holt alone
might be negligible, but supported by
that of disinterested party it would
be very different matter. Still, there
was no help for it. They would have
to take care of the man until he was
able to travel. AT the worst, Big Bill
could give him a letter to Selfridge
explaining things and so pass the buck
to that gentleman.
Gid Holt had. with the tacit consent
of his guards, appointed himself as a
sort of nurse to the stranger. Early
in the evening the sick man fell into
a sound sleep, from which he did not
awake until morning. George was
away looking after the packhorses
bud was cooking breakfast, and Big
Bill, his rifle close at hand, was chop
ping young frs fifty feet back of the
camp. The cook also had a gun, load.
ed with buckshot, lying on a box be.
side him, so that they were taking nc
chances with their prisoner.
The old miner turned from rearrang
ing the bOughs of green fir on the
smudge to see that his patient was
awake and his mind normal. The
quiet, steady eyes resting upon him
told him that the delirium had passed
"Pretty nearly all in, wasn't II" the
young man said.
The answer of Gid Holt was an odd
one. "Yep. Seven-eleven-fif fifteen
Take 'er easy, old man." he said in his
shrill, high voice as he moved toward
the man In the blankets. Then, i'm q
low tone, while he pretended to ar
range the bedding over the stranger
he asked quick question.
"Are you Elliott"
EYES,"
"Don't tell them. Talk football
lingo as If you was still out of your
haid." Holt turned and called to bud
"Says he wants some breakfast
"On the way" the cook answered.
Holt seemed to be soothing the de
lirious man. What he really said was
this. "Selfridge has arranged aAplant
for you at Kamatlah. The camp has
been turned inside out to fool you
They've brought me here a prisoner
so as to keep me from telling you the
truth. psf! Tune up now"
Big Bill had put down his ak and
was approaching. He was not ex
actly suspicious, but he did not be-
lieve in taking unnecessary chances.
81 tell you I'm out of training
Played the last game, haven't we;
Come through with square meal, you
four-flusher," demanded Elliot in 9
querulous voice. He turned to Macy
'Look here, Cap. Haven't 1 played
the game all fall? Don't get what
want now we're through"
The voice of the young man was ex
| cited. His eyes had lost their quiet
steadiness and roved restlessly to and
fro. If Big Bill had held any doubts
| one glance dissipated them.
"Sure you do. Hustle over and helI
bud with the breakfast, Holt. I'll lool
out for our friend"
| Elliot and Holt found no more
chance to talk together that morning
Sometimes the young government of
fetal lay staring straight in front Of
him. Sometimes he appeared to doze
Again he would talk in the disjointe(
way of one not clear in the head.
An opportunity came in the after
noon for moment.
! Keep your eyes skinned for {
chance to lay out the guard tonigh
and get his gum" Holt said quickly.
| Gordon nodded. 81 don't know tina
I've got to do everything just as 20,
say" he complained aloud for tn,
benefit of George, who was passin,
on his way to the place where tn,
horses were hobbled.
/ "Now-now! There amt nobod,
trying to boss you," Holt explained il
a patient voice.
! They'd better not" snapped the in
valid. a
Some scrapper-that kid" said tn
horse wrangler with grin.
Macy took the first watch tina
night. He turned in at two after h
had reused bud to take his place. TIL
cook had been on duty about an hou
when Elliot kicked Holt, who wa
sleeping beside him, to make sure tina
he was ready. The old man answers
the kick with another.
| Presently Gordon got up. yawne