The Dolores star., 1920-01-02

''uiu continue to control his
people no longer seemed probable to
me- Tor the Hawk was evidently tbe
stronger character of the two nos.
'essed the larger following and mada
lat. ho a'telnpt TO conceal the depth of his
'atred for all things American.
Do"h below where l sat little rIv.
er steamboat was tied to the wharf. n
ulngy stern-wheeler, with the word
warrior painted across the nIlot
mouse. My eyes and thoughts turned
that way. Standing alone together
near the stern were heaylly-bullt
man with white hair and beard. and n
younger, rather slender fellow. with
clipped, black mustache. Both wore
unusually well dressed, the latter 'ex.
| ceedlngly natty and fashionable in Mt.
tlre' rather overly so, l thought, while
the former wore long coat and high
"hite stock. 1nvoluntarily had placed
them In my mind as river gamblers
Dut was still observing their move.
ments with some curiosity when Cap.
tain Throckmorton crossed the panr.
plahk and began ascending the steep
biuif. The path to be followed led dI.
rectly past where was sitting and
recognizing me, he stopped to ex.
change greetings.
what! have you finished your days
work already. lieutenant he ex.
claimed pleasantly. mine has only
just begun"
$50 l observe. 1t was garrison talk
last night that the Warrior was to de-
part at daylight"
"That was the plan. However, the
Wanderer went north during the
night" he explained. "and brough,
mail from below, so we are being hello
for the return letters. I am going W
to the office now."
My eyes returned to the scene be
low.
| you have some passengers aboard.
"a few; picked up several at the
lead mines. besides those aboard from
Prairie du Chen"
''Evidently all Of your passengers
are not miners. captain" I ventured
"Those two standing there at the
stern. for instance"
He turned and looked. "No," hi
said; "that big man is Judge Beau
caire, from Missouri. He has plan
tation just above st. Louis, an ole
French grant. OF course you know the
younger one."
"Never saw him before"
"Then you have never Travelled
much on the lower river. That's Jo'
Kirby"
"Joe Kirby?"
Certainly; you must have heard o.
him. First time I ever knew Of hi:
drifting so far north, as there are no
many pickings up here. Have rathe
suspected he might be laying for Beau
caire, but the two haven't touched
card coming down."
"He Is a gambler, thenT'
"a thoroughbred; works between
st, Louis and New Orleans. I can
just figure out yet what he is doing W
here. I asked him fiat out. but he onl!
laughed, and he isn't the sort Of mai
you get very friendly with. some sa.
he has Indian blood in him, so drop
ped It. He and the Judge seem prett!
thick, and they may be playing in theil
rooms. See you again before w
leave; am going up now to have tall
with the major"
My eyes followed as he disappeared
within the open gates. squatty
strongly built figure, the blue smok'
from his pipe clrcling in cloud abov'
his head. Then 1 turned idly to gaz'
once again down the river and obserV'
the groups lettering below.
Assuredly 1t was none Of my affair
and yet certain curiosity caused M
to observe the movements of the tw'
no long as they remained on deck
However, It was but short while De
fore both retired to the cabin, ant
then my gaze returned once more u
the sullen sweep of water, while M
thoughts drifted far away.
A soldier was within few feet o
me and had spoken before was evel
aware of his approach.
"Lieutenant Knox"
I looked about quickly, recosniNn'
the majors orderly.
ayes, Sanders, what is'Hr
"Maior Bliss requests, sir, that yo'
report at his office at once
wondering what might be desired 0
me, vet with no conception OF tn
reality. I followed after the orderl
through the stockade gate. and acros
the small parade ground toward tn