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Show BACKING UP A MINISTER. 213 upon and magnanimously allow him so many hours in which to leave the camp. "This all worked very well until there arrived one of the most reckless of these daring adventurers, known as 'Dare Devil Dick,' who had just returned from following a band of marauding Navajo Indians. "When aware of the true state of affairs he at once declared himself the minister's champion, and announced that it would be worth any man's life to attempt to break up the meeting. He also apprised them of his intention to make a few introductory remarks. "Well, every body knew that 'Dare Devil Dick' meant what he said, hence they were compelled to accept the situation, and decided to go to the place appointed for worship and hoot the preacher down. "The day and hour finally arrived, when Dick appeared as per advertisement, and delivered himself in the following manner: "' Friends and gentlemen, listen to me. I was the first American to cross the Great Desert. The first to visit the sacred spot where the Sainted Montezuma, the Indian Savior, mounted upon the back of the glorious white eagle, to take his flight heavenward, and I hope to be here when he returns to take his people home. I was here when the pilgrims came hunting gold in this glorious land. I was here when the first American woman (God bless her) arrived. I was here when the bad men first opened their dens of iniquity; when that poor boy's soul took its flight across the range, for refusing to play poker with Bill Sykes, for he said he promised his good old mother never to gamble. This was my first sin, but I had to do it. I sent Bill to ' kingdom come,' by limited |
