THE WOLF HUNTERS 



"Of course, Flaherty, you can do as you like, 

 but I really think, under the circumstances, you 

 had best go back and give yourself up and take 

 your medicine. Maybe, if I go along with you 

 and explain the situation to Lieutenant Smith, 

 and ask him to intercede with the commanding 

 office, you can be returned to duty without a 

 court martial." 



"Would you do that for me, Tom?" asked 

 Flaherty gratefully. 



"I'll do all I can for you, Flaherty, for I do not 

 hold you responsible for what you have done; but 

 you had a mighty close call, and if whiskey serves 

 you that way you ought to take warning and 

 swear ofF." 



"That's just what I've been thinking, Tom, and 

 I swear right now I'll never taste another drop." 



As I rode up to camp about sundown that day 

 I noticed two or three mounted men far out on the 

 high prairie, coming on the trail from Fort Larned. 

 The field-glass made them out to be Wild Bill and 

 John Adkins with a pack-mule, and Found trot- 

 ting along with them. They soon reached us and 

 dismounted and began unpacking. 



"Is supper most ready, boys?" asked Bill. 



"I'll have it ready," replied Jack, "by the time 

 you're ready for it." 



"We've just got room in the stable for your 

 two horses," I explained, "in place of the mule 

 team Tom took with him, and I guess I'll take one 



i88 



