Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-12-17

his chest, and conveyed in the utterance, a dis
tnct notion that death was what was meant
Hearing him repeat the command, il was easy
10 believe that the miscreant dared not do more
than hesitate in his obedience. After moments
silence-which was the climax to his rendering
Of the scene-he continued:
b" haven't told you, yet. how the man looked
He was a tall, swarthy, black bearded fellow,
who might have been handsome once, but who
had lost the look which distinguishes men in
sympathy with their kind; SO that then he re-
semblcd some cruel beast, in the shape of a
man, yet whose disguise lifted him badly. His
eyes burned like rubies out Of the gloomy
cayerns under his shaggy eyebrows His lips
Inc mans whole expression, as he stood there
glaring at me, was hate and murder.
"My eye never winked, while he hesitated
lie saw that, and ii made him quail. With my
finger on the trigger, kept my rife levelled,
while he threw down his arms-pistols and
knife-with horrible oath. With the knife in
rush on me, but changed his purpose in time to
stop my fire. His cursng was awful; the foam
flew from his mouth. he demanded to be let
out or the fort: accused me OF bad intentions
toward him, and denounced me for a robber
and q murderer. To all his rawlings had but
one answer: To be quiet, to obey me, and he
might live; dare to disobey me, and he should
die.
al directed him to sit down on the opposite
side OF the fre-not TO move from that one
spot-not to make adoubtful motion. And then
had meant TO do. When he became convinced
OF this, he broke down utterly, and wept like a
child, declaring that, now that he knew my
puck .s and had been the first man ever to get
"Ihere was long night before us, and had
got to fit there, with my rife across my knees,
I'LL morning. L could move little, to stir up or
add to the fire; but he could have no liberty
whatever. The restraint was horrible to him.
One moment he laughed uneasily-another
cursed or cried. 1t was a strange scene, wasn't
fra1 60 49, n .lzl II.
late the history of his life. He wanted first to
shake hands, for the love he bore me. Touch
ing my rifle significantly, pointed to a stick
lying across the fire between US. This is our
boundary line; don't go to reaching your hands
and sullenness.
"We must have remained thus silent unit
near midnight. Several times 1 observed him
listening to slight sounds outside the fort. But
bis associates must have given up the game and
gone on, for, as the morning hours approached,
he ceased to listen, and everything remained
quiet. His head was bent forward, his chin
resting on his breast the shaggy beard spread
ing over it like mantle"
How horrible il must have been to keen such
company. Why not call on Edwards p"
The boy was worn out; and there was no
need. was very much strung up, too; so that
cltement was not felt or noticed. But he suf-
fered. He was like hyena Gagged, though he
showed 1t snly by Involuntary movements and
fuIuve glances. Finally, he could bear it no
give him his freedom or blow out his brains. |
told him he couldn't have his freedom Just yet,
but he knew how to get his brains blown out If
he desired it. Then followed more execration
ending in renewed protestations of regard for
me- Ireminded him that talking would relieve
the irkscmeness Of his position, again inviting
he talked about himself he should be sure to
get excited and move about; but promised to
remind him.
"Once on the subject of himself, it seemed to
have fascination for him. What he told me
was, in substance, this: He had been honestly
raised by good, afectionate parents in the State
where he lived, and, wishing to marry her, had
resolved to 20 to California TO make the neces-
sary money quickly. He was successful, re-
turned, full Of joyful anticipations. and arrived
AT an old neighbours, few miles from his home,
having hardly tasted food or taken any rest the
previous twenty-four hours.
While he hastily ate some breakfast and
listened to the friendly gossip OF his entertain
ers, one name, the name of her he loved, his
promised wife, was mentioned. She lCdS married.
He staggered to his feet, asking the name OF her
husband, and when he heard it he knew he
had been betrayed by that man, He could
recall strange sensation in his brain, as il
molten lead had been poured into it. That was
the last of his recollectiOns. Afterward, he
learned that he had been weeks in a brain
fever.
when he had recovered, some of his old
friends, thinking TO do him honor, made an
evening rarity for him. To this party came his
she gave her hand to welcome him home, and
looked in his eyes, he knew that she, too, had
been betrayed. Again the molten lead
seemed poured upon his brain. Turning to
leave the room, fate placed in his path the
man he now hated with a deadly hatred
With one blow OF his knife, he laid him dead at
his feet. few hours later, in the desperation
of trying TO escape, he killed two other men
Then he eluded his pursuers and got back to
California. Since then he had reveIed in muir
der and every species Of crime. Once he had
1T anna m
he loved. Up to that moment it had never oc-
CURED TO him that she was free. Following her
TO her home. he forced himself into her house,
and reminded her of their termer relations.
She had denied all knowledge OF him, finally
calling upon her husband, to satisfy him. The
husband ordered him out OF the house, and he
shot him. Then the Vigilantes made it hazard
Gus to remain IN California. He fed to the
mountains, where he was nearly starved out
when took him in and fed and clothed him.
" Such was his story. My blood curdled in
my veins as i listened to the recital OF his
atrocities. In Gods name / said, who
are you-what is your name? L am Boone
"Who was Boone Helm %" asked.
Z" One of the greatest desperadoes that ever
was on this coast. lie met his fate, afterward,
up east OF the mountains"
What did you do with him? What could
You do with him -
"You ought to have shot him while YOU had
him." my husband suggested.
81 didn't want to shoot him. He said, il / had
been a coward, would have shot him. TO con-
Tess the truth, the wretch appealed to my sym
pathies. 1 don't think he had ever been sane
since he felt the molten lead poured into his
BRAIN. knew somebody WAS sure to kill him
before long; SO, when morning came, L called
Edwards to open the gate; and, when it was un-
barred, escorted my visitor out, telling him that
there was not room enough in that part of the
country Tor both of US, and that the next time |
pointed 10Y rifle at him it would be to shoot. |
never saw him again"
Then he did not modest the Chinese camp"
" No. Edwards got his four hundred dollars
and went home to Boston,
There fell a silence among US, and, through
my open door, 1 could see that the cabin was
nearly deserted. Ella seemed weared, sighed,
and made a movement as il TO go.
"What about your Guardian Angelo" my hus-
band asked. "You have not told Us about her
second coming"
IL always say that she didn't come: or else |
say that she came, and | drove her away.
That Is proper: isn't IL now" glancing at ~ g.
but want to know if you have seen her
II you have never met her where in the
world-since that time. 1 have a right to be
curious-yss,,or no." urged. laughing.
"HOw DO you feel now?'-with a light laugh
and peculiar change of expression.
so, better, great deal better. To be per
fectly cured, only need to hear the sequel"
may as well tell it, | suppose. 1t has been
running in my head all day. Wouldn't want
my wife TO know il. Didn't think OF meeting
her when came down TO Frisco. You see.