A Sportsman 371 



by a score of hard-looking characters, who viewed us 

 with interest, and in probable expectation of gaining 

 profit from our advent. Proffers of assistance in carry- 

 ing our hand-baggage were given, which we declined, 

 holding firmly to our possessions. We had nothing to 

 do but look about and patiently wait for the convey- 

 ance we had telegraphed for two days before to Silver 

 City, fifty miles distant, which we assumed would 

 arrive during the day, to carry us on to Hudson. The 

 latter place was situated twenty-five miles distant, 

 midway between Deming and Silver City, the only set- 

 tlement on the route where a rough sort of a hotel 

 existed, carried on by Hudson, a long time settled in 

 the region. 



Two long freight trains from California stood on a 

 hastily constructed siding, which were being unloaded. 

 One of the trains had a car-load of second-class pas- 

 sengers bound east, and an express car. The latter 

 had been fitted up as a telegraph and business office 

 and here was our first introduction to Tucker, the ex- 

 press agent, a stout, resolute-looking man, who had 

 a pair of large navy revolvers hanging from his hip. 

 To him we were indebted for attention, and his ap- 

 pearance gave confidence. He was busily engaged in 

 the duties of his work and, with the telegraph operator, 

 appeared to be in full charge of the railroad freight 

 and express business. 



Acquainting him with our situation, waiting for our 

 transportation, he permitted us to deposit our baggage 

 in the end of his car, promising to take care of it. It 

 was evident that he was well fitted for the position he 

 occupied, and perfectly fearless of the crowd which 

 honored us with their pressing attentions, and we saw 



