Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1919-09-26

people no longer seemed probable to
me, for the Hawk was evidently the
stronger character of the two, pos
sessed the larger following and made
no attempt to conceal the depth of his
hatred for all things American.
Down below where l sat little riv-
err steamboat was tied to the wharf, a
dingy stern-wheeler, with the word
Warrior" painted across the pilot
house. My eyes and thoughts turned
that way, Standing alone together
near the stern were q heavily-built
man with white hair and beard, and a
younger, rather slender fellow, with
clipped, black mustache, Both were
unusually well dressed, the latter ex-
ceedingly natty and fashionable in at
tire, rather overly so, | thought, while
the former wore long coat and high
white stock. Involuntarily / had placed
them in my mind as river gamblers,
but was still observing their move
ments with some curiosity when Cap
tain ThrOckmorton crossed the gang
plank and began ascending the steep
bluff. The path to be followed led di.
rectly past where l was sitting and
recognizing me, he stopped to ex
change greetings.
"What have you finished your days
work already, lieutenant?p he eX
claimed pleasantly. "Mine has only
just begun"
$50 I observe. It was garrison tall
last night that the Warrior was to de
part at daylight"
"That was the plan. However, TIL
Wanderer went north during tn
night" he explained. "and brough
mail from below, so we are being hell
for the return letters. l am going u
to the office now"
My eyes returned to the scene be
low.
"You have some passengers aboard.
"a few; picked up several at tn
lead mines, besides those aboard froI
Prairie du Chen"
evidently all of your passenger
are not miners, captain l venturet
"Those two standing there at tn
stern, for instance"
He turned and looked. mo" b
said; "that big man is Judge Bea'
caire, from Missouri. He has plal
/ tation just above st. Louis, an oil
: French grant. OF course you know tt
+ younger one"
: "Never saw him before"
"Then you have never travelt
, much on the lower river. That's il
Kirby"
: "Joe Kirby?"
Certainly; you must have heard
him. First time I ever knew Of h
drifting so far north, as there are n
many pickings up here. Have rath
suspected he might be laying for Bea
caire, but the two haven't touched
card coming down"
"He is a gambler, then?"
"a thoroughbred; works betwe
st. Louis and New Orleans. / cal
lust figure out yet what he is doing
here. l asked him fiat out, but he on
laughed, and he isn't the sort of M
you get very friendly with, some S
. he has Indian blood in him, so l dire
ped it. He and the judge seem pref
4 thick, and they may be playing in thu
\ rooms. See you again before
] leave; am going up now to have ts
' with the major"
My eyes followed as he disappear
within the open gates, a squat
strongly built figure, the blue smc
from his pipe circllng In cloud abe
his head. Then l turned idly to G;
once again down the river and obsel
the groups lettering below.
Assuredly 1t was none of my aff'
and yet a certain curiosity caused
| 10 Observe TIE movements VI tAiN
VI so long as they remained on de
However, It was but short while
no fore both retired to the cabin,
Ill then my gaze returned once more
nv the sullen sweep Of water, While
de- thoughts drifted far away.
de- A soldier was within a few feet
at me and had spoken before / was e
re- aware of his approach.
uk. Lieutenant Knox"
of | looked about quickly, reeognii
be the majors orderly.
be- ayes, Sanders, what Is itf
ks "Major Bliss requests, sir, that
one report at his Office at once"
ales Wondering what might be desire
adj me, yet with no conception OF
saw. reality, l followed after the orc
only through the stockade gate, and a'
That the small parade ground toward