i,    ■:    -T"    '
-/W    /a
tOB HAMPTON ;»*
<PLACER*
to RmALL PAMHStt AUTHOR Of*
'nmciiimfrc ,
I COPYWCHt MX BY AGJ*tn.VtX IW1;.
CHAPTER I.    ,
Hampton, of Placer.
It v.t,9 not an uncommon tragedy of
the we3t. If slightest chronicle of It
survive. It must be discovered among
the musty and nearly forgotten rec- !
erds of the Eighteenth regiment orf In- j
lantry.
Yet the tale Is worth telling now,
when such days are past and gone.
There were 16 of them when* like so
many hunted rabbits, they were first
Securely trapped among the frowning
pocks, and forced relentlessly back-
ward from off the narrow trail until
the precipitous canyon walls finally
halted that? disorganised flight, and
from sheer necessity compelled a rally
In hcpalesa battle. Sixteen,—-ten in-
lantrymen from old Fort Bethune, Uls-
ter command of Syd. Wyman, a gray*
headed sergeant of 30 years’ contim*
•us sc-vice in the regulars, two cow*
punchers from the "XL” ranch, a
stranger who had Joined them unin*
rtted at the ford over the Bear Water,,
together with old Gillie, the poet*
trader, and his silent chit of a girl.
Sixteen—-but that was three days be*
lore, and In the meanwhile not a few
ef those speeding 81oux bullets had
tound softer billet than the limestone
locks. Six of the soldiers, four al-
ready dead, two dying, lay out-
Itretched In ghastly silence where-chew
(all.
Then the taciturn Gllils gave sud-
gen utterance to a sobbing cry, and a
hurst of red spurted across hl9 white
heard a* lie reeled backward, knock-
tog the girl prostrate when he fell,
tight remained, one helpless, one a
mere lass at 15. It was the morning
to! the third day.
The banning of the atfalf'had bunt
ipon them so suddenly that no two In
ghat stricken company would have
told th. same tale. None among them
had anticipated trouble.
In all the fancied security of un-
questioned peace these chance trav-
elers had slowly toiled along the steep
graft leading toward the foothills.
QUlls acd the girl, as well as the two
•attleherden, were on horseback; the
remainder soberly trudged forward on
loot, with gun* slung to their shoul.
gars. Wyman was somewhat In ad*
ranco. walking beside the stranger,
the latter a man of uncertain age.
smoothly shaven, quietly dressed In
garments bespeaking an eastern tailor,
a. bit grizzled of hair aloe- the tend-
gjes. and possessing S pair of cook
gray eyes. He had introduced himself
gy the name of Hampton, but had vol-
vmteererf np further Information, nor
was It customary in that country to
quastlrT, impertinently,
t flam;’oh. through the medium of
sasy era venation, early discovered In
the Beryeant an Intelligent mind, pos-
sessing some knowledge of literature.
They luij been discussing books with
rare enthusiasm, and the former had
drawn from the concealment of an
totter pocket a diminutive copy of ‘'The
Merchant of Venice.” from which he
was reading aloud a disputed passage,
when the faint trail they followed sud-
denly dipped Into the yawning mouth
at a Wads cauyon. it was a narrow,
gloomy, < oatracted gorge, a mere gash
between those towering hills shadow-
ing its depths oh either band. A swift
mountain stream, nolsf and clear as
- crystal, dashed from rock to rock close
beside the more northern wall, while
the Ill-defined pathway, strewn with
bowlders and guarded by underbrush,
clung to the opposite side, where low
scrub trees partially obscured the
ylew. ,.
| All was silent as death When they ,
faired, yet they had barely advanced
• short hundred paces when those sp-
fawitlj bare rocks to front flamed
tz<&, the narrow- defile echoed to wild
screeches and became lastautly crowd-
SR With v etrd, leaping figures. It wf»
Itke a pfunge from heaven Into he1.:.
Blaine and Endlcott sank at the flrat
gre. whlie Wyman's stricken arm
* tlvtpved blood, Igtlged. under that
- sudden,: al.uck. he fall, and was barely
gstSfluetl- the prompt action of the
M&. Dropping the opened
book and firing madly to left and
>reht with a revolver which appeared
to spring Into his hand as by magic.
Ihe latter coolly dragged the fainting
toldier across the more exposed space,
until the two found partial seemtiy
'among a mass of loosened rocks Utter-
ing the base of the precipice. The
others who survived that first scorch-
ing discharge ahso raced toward this
same shelter, Impelled thereto by the
uperrlns Instinct of border fighting,
apt! Hinging themselves flat behind
protecting bowlders, began responding
to the hot fire rained upon them.
l flattered and hurried as these first
volleys were, they proved sufficient to
check the howling demons in the open.
V tms r-ver been Indian nature to
face unprotected the aim of the white
" and those dark figures, which
Ly’ a moment before thronged the
narrow gorge, leaping «a*Uy “J*
,lot of apparent victory, suddenly
inelted from sight, slinking down Into
leafy coverts beside the stream or Into
boles among the rocks, like so many
vanishing prairie dogs. Now and {j»®“
a sinewy brown arm might Incautious-
ly project across the gleaming surface
of a rock, or a mop of eoarse, black
hatr appear above the edge of a gully,
either Incident resulting In a quick
Interchange of fire* That was all; yet
the experienced frontiersmen knew
that eyes as keen as those of any wild
aplmal of the Jungle were watching
murderously their slightest movement.
Wyman, now reclining In agony
against the base of the overhanging
cliff, directed the movements of his
little command calmly and with sober
mUltary Judgment Little by little, un-
der protection o! the rifles of the three
civilians, the uninjured Infantrymen
crept cautiously about, rolling loosened
bowlders forward Into position, until
they finally succeeded In thus erecting
a rude barricade between them and the
enemy. The wounded who could be
reached were laboriously drawn back
within this Improvised shelter, and
when the black shadows of the nigtn
finally shut down, all remaining alive
were once more clustered together,
the injured lying moaning and ghastly
beneath the overhanging Rhelf of rock,
and the girl, who possessed all the pa-
tient stoicism of frontier training, rest-
ing In silence, her widely opened eyes
on those far-off stars peeping above
the brink of the chasm, her head pil-
lowed on old GilUs' knee.
Twice during the long night volun-
teers sought vainly to pierce those
Hampton Flbed Madly Right and Left.
Itnes et savage watchers. A long,
wailing cry of agony from out the
thick darkness told the fate of their
first messenger, while Casey, of the
“XIV' crept slowly, painfully back,
with an Indian bullet embedded deep
in his shoulder. Just before the com
lng of dawn, Hampton, without utter-
ing a word, calmly turned up the collar
of his tightly buttoned coat, so as
better to conceal the white collar he
wore, gripped his revolver between his
teeth, and crept like some wriggling
snake among the black rocks and
through the dense underbrush In
search after Water. By some miracle
of (UvlDe mercy he was permitted to
pass unscathed, and came crawling
back, a dozen hastily filled canteens
dangling across his shoulders. It was
like nectar to those parched, feverish
throats; but of food barely a mouth-
ful a piece remained in the haver-
grtplrXl    M-    . gl'ato**- • tMff'’
The second day dragged onward, Its
hours bringing no change for the hot-
ter, ao relief, no slightest ray of hope.
The hot sun scorched them pitilessly,
apd tivo of the wounded died delirious.
From dawn to dark there came no
slackening of the savage watchfulness
which held the survivors helpless be
bind their coverts. The merest up-
lifting of a head, the slightest move-
ment of a band, was sufficient to dem
onstrate bow sharp were those savage
eyes.
Another long. Mack night followed,
during which, for an hour or so in
tu/fl, the weary defenders slept, toss-
ing uneasily, and disturbed by fearful
dreams. Then gray and solemn, amid
the lingering shadows of darkness,
dawned the third dread day of un-
equal conflict- All understood that ;t
was destined to bo their last on this
earth unless help came
For two days Wyinsn had scarcely
stirred from where he lay bolstered
'‘gainst the rock. Sometimes he be
came dpllrlous from fever, uttering In
’"col^ei-eot phrases, or swearing lb piti-
ful weakness. AgalB he would par-
tially arouse to his old sense of sol-
dierly duty, and assume Intelligent
command. Now he twisted painfully
about upon hi* side, and, with clouded
eyes, sought to discern what man was
lying next him. The f’.ce was hidden
so that all he could clearly distinguish
was the fact that this man was not
clothed as a soldier.
■'Is that you. Hampton?” he ques-
tioned, his voice barely audible.
The person thus addressed, who was
lying flat upon bis back, gazdng si-
lently upward at the rocky front of
the cliff, turned cautiously over upon
bis elbow before venturing reply.
"Yes; What is it, sergeant? It looks
to be a beauty of a morning way up
yonder.”
There was & hearty, cheery ring to
his clear voice which left the pain-
racked old soldier envious.
TYfy- Gcd!” he growled savagely.
•Tis likely to l>e the last aay ot ns
will ever see. Wasn’t It you I heard
whistling Just now? One might Im-
agine this was to be a wedding; rather
than a funeral.”
And why not, Wyman? DWnt yon.
know they employed music at both
functions nowadays? Besides, It la not
every man who is permitted to assist
at hla own obsequies—the very unique-
ness of such a situation rather appeals
to my sense of humor.”
The sergeant, his teeth dlnched
tightly to repress the pain racking
him, stifled his resentment with an
evident effort “You may be loss
light hearted when you learn that the
last of out ammunition Is already In
the guns,” he remarked, stiffly.
“I suspected as much." And the
speaker lifted himself on one elbow to
peer down the line of recumbent fig-
ures. “To be perfectly frank with
you, sergeant, the stuff has held out
considerably longer than I believed It
would. Judging from the way those
‘dough boys’ of yours kept popping at
every shadow In front of them. It s
a marvel to me, the mutton-heads they
take Into the army. Oh, now. you
needn’t scowl at me like that, Wy-
man; I’ve worn the blue, and seen
some service where a fellow needed to
be a man to sport the uniform. Be-
sides, I’m not Indifferent, old chap,
and lust so long as there remained
any work worth attending to In this
skirmishing affair, I did It, didn’t I?
But 1 tell you, man there Is mighty lit-
tle good trying to buck against Fate,
and when Luck once finally lets go of
a victim, he’s bound to drop straight
to the bottom before he stops. That’s
the sum and substance of all my
philosophy, old fellow, consequently I
never kick simply because things hap-
pen to go wrong. What’a the use?
They’ll go wrong Just the same. Con
sequently, upheld by my acquired
philosophy, I’m merely holding back
one sbot for myself, ns a sort of grand
finale to this fandango, and another for
that little girl out yonder.”
Those words were uttered slowly,
the least touch of a lazy drawl appar
ent In the low voice, yet there was an.
earnest simplicity pervading the
speech which somehow gave It lm
preestveness. The man meant exactly
what he said, beyond the possibility of
a doubt. The old soldier, accustomed
to every form of border eccentricity,
gazed at him with disapproval.
“Either you’re the coolest devil I’ve
met dnrlng 30 years of soldiering.’' he
commented, doubtfully, “or else the
craziest. Who are you, anyhow? I
half believe you might be Bob Hamp
ton, of Placer.”
The other smiled grimly. "You have
the name tolerably correct, old fellow;
likewise that delightful spot so lately
honored by my residence. In brief,
yon have succeeded In calling the
turn perfectly, so far as your limited
Information extends. In strict confi-
dence 1 propose now to impart to you
what has hitherto remained a pro-
found secret. Upon special request of
a number of Influential citizens of
Placer, Including the city marshal and
other officials, expressed In mass-
meeting, I have decided upon desert-
ing that sagebrush metropolis to Its
Just fate, and plan to add the Influ-
ence of my presence to the future de-
velopment of Glencald. 1 learn that
the climate there Is more salubrious,
more conducive to long living, the citi-
zens of Placer being peculiarly excit-
able and careless with their fire-
arms.”
The sergeant had been listening
with open mouth. “The hell you say!
be finally ejaculated.
“The undeflled truth, every word of
It No wonder you are shocked. A
fine state of affairs. Isn’t it, when a
plain-spoken, pleasant-mannered gen
Heman. such as I surely am.—a uni-
versity graduate, by all the gods, the
nephew of a United States senator,
and acknowledge^ to be the greatest
exponent of scientific poker In this ter
rltory,—should be obliged to hastily
change his chosen place of abode be-
cause of the threat of au Ignorant and
depraved mob. Ever have a rope dan-
gled in front of your eyes, sergeant,
and a gan-barrefl biting Into your cheek
St the same time? Accept my word
for It. the experience Is trying on the
nerves. Ban a perfectly square game,
too and those ducks knew It; but
there’s no true sporting spirit left in
this territory any more. However,
spilled milk is never worth sobbing
over and Fate always contrives to
play the final hand In any game, and
stocks the cards to win "
“A breath of good honest pru.vrn-
would serve better tlnui anything
cl**," groaned the sergeant, sotierly.
The gray eyes resting thoughtfully
en the old soldier’s haggard face be-
came Instantly grave and earnest.
"Sincerely 1 wish 1 might tild you
with one.” the man admitted, "but 1
fear, old fellow, any prayer coming
from my* Ups would never ascend very
far. However. 1 might try the com-
fort of a hymn, and you will remember
this one, which, no doubt, you have
helped to sin* back In God’s country.”
There was a moment's hustiod
pause, during Which ft rifle cracked
sharply out In the ravine; then the
reckless fellow, his head partially sup-
ported ngalnst the protecting bowlder,
lifted up a full, rich barytone in rendi-
tion of that hymn of Christian faith—
for wfiat’mJy hafo been tlrestore!
__„ bemythni
and only occasion tq Mr. Hampton"*
audacious career, he realised his attaf
helplessness. This mere slip at •
red headed girt, this lltUe nameless
waif of the frontlet, condemnsri him
so completely, and without waste at
words, as to leave him weaponless
Mr. Hampton was a thorough-to lng
sport, and no quality waa quite so apt
to appeal to him as dead gameoeea.
Ha glanced surreptitiously aside at
her once more, but there wae ns sign
of relenting In the averted facto He
rested lower against the rock. Us tsce
upturned toward the sky. and thought.
It was no spirit ot bravado that gave
rise to his reckless speech of an hour
previous. II was simply a spontaneous
outpouring ot his real nature, an un-
premeditated expression of that eu-
Jiist Received
We have just Received and placed
on sale a large assortmend of
Ladies
Shirt Waists
All sues. These waists are worth
$1,50 and $2,00 but will be sold at
WhiL* they last we will close out
all onr
“N«»rer, rn? Gyrt, to The*!
Nearer ti> Tne«.
E’en though It be a cross
That raise!h mo,
Still all my hook shall be.
Nearer, my Oort, to Thee.
Nearer to Thee.
Glazed and wearied eyes glanced
cautiously toward the singer around
the edges of protecting rocks; fingers
loosened their grasp upon the rifle bar-
rels; smoke-begrimed cheeks became
moist; while UpB. a moment before
profaned by oaths, grew silent and
trembling. Out in front a revengeful
brave sent his bullet swirling Just
above the singer’s head, the sharp
•1 Can't Help Him, But There Re-
mains a Chance for Your Escape.”
preme carelessness with which lie re-
garded the fWture. the small value he
set on life. He truly felt as utterly In-
different toward fate as bis words
signified. Deer-ty conscious of a 1Kb
long ago Irretrievably wrecked, every*
thing behind a chaos, everything be*
(ore worthless,—tor years he had been
actually seeking death; a hundred
times he had gladly marked its ap*
parent approach, a smile of welcwme
upon his lipa. Yet It had neves quire
succeeded In reaching him. aad now-
lng had been gained beyond a reputa-
tion far cool, reckless daring; which
he did not In the least covet But
now, miracle erf all miracles. Just as
the end seemed actually attained,
seemed beyond any possibility orf be-
ing tamed aatde. he began to experi-
ence a desire to Use—he wanton to
save this girl.
His keenly observant eyes, trained
by the exigencies orf hie trade to take
note of small things, and rendered
eager by this newly awakened ambi-
tion, vanned the cliff towering above
them. He perceived the extreme ir-
regularity orf Its front, and numerons
pecuUarltiee of formation which had
escaped him hitherto. SuddeeJrff big
puzzled face brightened to the birth ot
an idea. By heavens! It mlt’ht be
done! Surely It might be done! Inch
by inch he traced the obscure passage
seeking to Impress each faint detail
updo his memory*—that harrow ledge
wltbtn easy reach of an upetretched
arm, the sharp outcropping of rock*
edges henfe and there, the deep gash
as though some giant as tafl Cleaved
th* stone, those sturdy oedare growing
straight out over the chasm like the
bowsprits of ships, while all along the
way, Irregular and ragged, varied rtfts
not entirely unlike the steps of a crazy
staircase.
The very conception ot such an ex-
ploit caused his flesh to creep. But he
was not of that das? of men who fall
back '
Again
he was ______
that precipitous rock, oyer1 uer.vb
tingling to the newborn hop*. God
helping them, eweii so desperate a
deed might be accomplished, although
it would test the foot and nerve of a
Swiss mountaineer- graced
uneasily toward Ms companion, <Wd
saw the same tnotirmice? figure, the
same sotpber face tiytied dajibtwately
away. Hampton did sot smile, but hi*
square Jew Set, and he djnohod hi*
hands. He had no fear that she might
fail him, but tor the first time in all
his life he Questioned bl* ovwl courage.
CHAR-ftB^II.
Between Lift flrtd'.Oeath,
The remainder of that flay, we»i
as much of the glotmiy night follow-
ing, composed a silent, lingering hor-
ror The fierce pangs of hunger no
longer gflswed, but * dull apathy sow
held the helplesi defender*. One of
Ihe wounded died, a were lad, sobbing
pitifully for his mother; an Infantry-
man, peering forth from hl« covert,
had been shot in the face, and his
scream echoed among the rocks in
mulllplied accents ot agony; while
Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mer-
dfully unconscious The others vested
In their places, soaroeiy venturing to
stir a limb, tb*'!r roving, wolfish eyas
the only visible evidence of remaining
life, every bop* vanished, yet eidb
man clinging to Me asstgnofl txwt of
duty In desperation. There whs but
little firing—-this defenders nurtoBg
their slender stack, the sa***ee hi*
ding their time. When night shut down
the latter became bolder, and taunted
cruelly those destined to become so
soon their hapless victims. Twice the
maddened men fired recklessly a*
those dancing devils, and one pitched
forward, emitting a howl of pain that
caused his comrades to cower once
again behind their covers. One and
all these frontiersmen recog! land the
Inevitable—before dawn the end must
come. No useless words were spoken;
the men merely clinched their teeth
and waited.    •    -
dJw/ Lawns at
3,c
Ou
'^2'"' Lawns at
5c
IOC Lawns at
8c
and all higher priced
lawns
slimmer dress goods at cost.
In our Clothing Department we
have pla.ed on a table, broken
sizes in men’s negligee slii ts
worth 50c, 75c and $1,00 these go
38c.
All straw hats at cost.
£
25 to 40 per cent discount on all
summer $' its.
BARNDOLLAR’S.
************* ************£
*    The First Annual    jk
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Picnic
of the
Farmers Union
will be held in the Armstrong Grove
one-half mile west and one half mile
south of Delaware on
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
August 16 and 17, 1907
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4 Free Barbecue Both Days    }
Beef will be ltuvbpckiod t\v old timers in the business *
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IKS SS"
Verdigris, and others.
This will he the first opjK»r1 units the farmers of No-
wata county have ever had to meet together, and
you should'not fail to be present.
Good bend music will be furnished all day. No whistles
fire crackers or confetti will be allowed on the
gro* nds. Gambling positively prohibited and no
intoxicating liquors will be allowed.
TO BE CONTINUED.
Committees in Charge
Arrsmn“^s
Privileges—Prank Longbone, Sol Armstrong, George
Smith, Sam Mayginnis.
Music—Gum Harking, A. T. Anglin, J. K.Lowrey.
% YOU ARE INVITED *
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