The Lost Cabin Mine

with the

m; and that the first of these two noteworthy incidents befell at the "Rest Hotel" where we had "twenty minutes for supper" while the mons

d. The high speed of travel with which we started was not kept up all the way, needless to say, such bursts be

ay specially connected. It was amusing indeed how he acted the part of one making friendly advances to me as though to a mere fellow-voyager, including me in his comments on the road, the

as thinking of getting aboard the stage. The driver was in having a drink before starting and, so as to prevent him raising questions about my blanket-roll lying in the stage and me not being there, I told him I had forgotten something at this end of the town

want when I come into this kingdom of mine to feel that I've

idering a l

d of our departure and follow up--" he

hen?" I

said he, "and a good

der worse than

ging and lying. Where speech would spoil-we 'll be silent; otherwise we 're going to walk up like men and claim what's coming to us, to use the phrase of the country. Heavens! When I think of what I 've seen,

ame to the Rest House, a two-storey frame house, with a planking built up in front of it two storeys higher, with

d to the proprietor, who had come out to the door: "What

the proprietor, in a loud, determined voice, "and if

yes. "I intend to. I 'll do the other thing, as you were about to say;" and he re

e works for what not even a white woman of the most saving kind could live upon. But there is such a peculiarly fine cocktail to be had in this place that I cannot deny myself it.

ly, after strayed stock," and he led the way to the bar, and seeme

ok at us remain gazing, not looking away as did the others. I

om. A flutter of air made me look round to the door again. Apache Kid had said no word of Donoghue, but I remembered Donoghue's remark as to seeing me later, in a day or two, and half expected hi

nner of that man who went out just now. I'm sure he means

scribed him, but apparently without waking

nt out?" he asked, t

erve, sir,"

ddenly, as though annoyed at himself: "No, I 'm damned if I

wall, said quietly: "He don't look as if he hed bin drinkin' too much. Strange how it affects different men; some in t

was not necessary. Instead, I stepped back and took my seat wi

lew open. Those in the room were astonished, for the newcomer had in his grasp one of those heavy revolvers,-a Colt,-an

rway, the door being slightly ajar, I caught a glimpse of the

t, but there seemed no fear

e now," he

fellow with close-cropped red h

a while for

the drop on me." Here came a smile on his lips, and I had a suspicion that it was a forced smile; but to smil

owered his han

uage o' the country, and you right up against it like this?

the language of the country

said Apach

leggings over his trousers and spurs to his high-heeled boots-

"You 're too gritty a man

jingle of his spur

gh filled

said one man near by. "A pair

s glass, and I heard

at," he continued, arguing the thing aloud, in a way I had already recognised as natural to him, as though he must scrutinise and diagnose

you were n't heele

been lying," said Ap

an near me. "A cool man like that the

e, leaning his elbows on the bar again and engaging in talk with the barman, who stood more er

rd!" we heard the stage-

n there were only two h

way we lumbered through the night, the great headlights throwing their radiance forward