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When I joined him again, several of Parker’s men were standing around in the crowd, and as I shook hands with Elkins and told him of his freedom, I added, “If any damned hound makes further false charges against you, it’s me he’s got to settle with, and that at the pistol point.” I made that talk as a sort of bluff, for a bluff is often as good as a fight if it’s properly backed up.
“I told you that Parker’s name was not Parker, that it was Holt, and that he was Ned Holt’s brother?” “I know, Dirk Peters,” I replied, “but why do you refer to that sad story again?” “Why, Mr. Jeorling? Have not have you never sam anything about it to anybody?”
“Arthur Pym was right,” I said, interrupting him quickly, “and as for me, I do not wish to know Parker’s real name. Keep this secret.” “No, I will tell it to you. It weighs too heavily on me, and I shall be relieved, perhaps, when I have told you, Mr. Jeorling.” “No, Dirk Peters, no!” “His name was Holt Ned Holt.” “Holt!” I exclaimed, “the same name as our sailing-master’s.”
“Come, come, Dirk Peters,” said I, “you exaggerate! If the lot had fallen to you, you would have incurred the fate of Parker. You cannot be charged with a crime.” “Sir, would Parker’s family speak of it as you do?” “His family! Had he then relations?” “Yes and that is why Pym changed his name in the narrative. Parker’s name was not Parker it was ”
I will release Elkins, since you seem so excited about it, and will leave him in your hands. Be careful, for Parker’s men are rather bitter against him.” Happy at heart, I dashed away to see Elkins, with whom I had only passed a few words and a hand-shake to cheer him up.
We spent the afternoon there, and just before leaving John Hays, of my command, dashed up with the news that Quantrell was camped only two miles west. He also gave the more important information to me, that some of Captain Parker’s men had arrested Steve Elkins on the charge of being a Union spy, and were taking him to Quantrell’s camp to hang him.
Neither promise was kept, and Parker’s spirit and health gave way under his misfortunes, and he sank into the grave. Cochrane, finding that he too had small chance of employment, went up to Edinburgh and worked hard at the university there until war broke out again in 1803, when he applied for a ship, and obtained, after a threat to retire altogether from the service, the command of an old brig.
He explained that Elkins had not been arrested on his orders, but by some of Parker’s men, who were in vicious humor because of their leader’s recent death. They had told Quantrell that Elkins had joined the Union forces at Kansas City, and was now in Cass county as a spy.
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