Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-04-10

ClslVe IMAM usual.
The dog, crouching at her feet, gave
low growl.
Woman, we have no time. to handy
words! Let us pass!"
The dog rose partly up, with a menac-
ing growl. The woman behind him
seemed to rise and expand in the white
heat OF passion chat possessed her. Her
voice rose high and shrill:
And l say you shall not pass! you that
come, twelve armed men, with murder in
your hearts, to take an innocent man out
from the midst of his helpless children.
| swear that you shall not touch hair of
his head tonight"
AS she spoke, drawing with dexterous
hand "Colt's navy from the folds of
her dress, she held it at full cock, bearing
straight upon the leaders, heart. Not
man among them but was touched at the
sight of this dauntless devotion; yet emo
ton must not prevent the discharge of
duty.
But this man has committed murder
the grayest crime known in the eyes of
the law. Public safety demands that we
deal with him according to the letter of
the law" expostulated the leader, more
moved than he cared to acknowledge
A superb scorn overswept the woman's
features. Bending to touch the dog with
her hand, the huge creature drew himself
erect, angry and bristling, with lips drawn
threateningiy back from his formidable
teeth. Then boldly throwing open the
cabin door, she pointed with appraised
finger, still holding the deadly weapon
aimed full at the leaders breast. A
scathing contempt rang in her words:
docs that man look like a cut-throat?
Can you all, looking inside this cabin,
tell me that you are afraid to spare him
to his wife and children this one last
night?"
She paused a moment, glancing swiftly
around the circle Of rough faces pressing
close upon her The tableau within
showed Lot, crouching upon low camp
stool, pale, disordered, and shaking with
terror, clasping in his arms his Youngest
born; the two girls, firm and fearless as
their mother, were planted at his knees;
while between him and the door, the ten
year old, with dilapidated chair as a
rest, stood behind his fathers rifle.
The she-bear and her cubs were grit to
the backbone.
"Who are yoa?' she cried, eloquentIy
gesturing to the crowd with her unoccu-
pied hand, THAT take the business of the
Almighty into your own hands, and send
the souls he has made unbidden into his
presence, without prayer for mercy?
Which would be the better,
you or him? Leave him to US
this night, and as surely as there is
a heaven above us, in the morning you
shall come in without hindrance! You
can guard the cabin. There is no danger
he will escape you!"
There was murmur among the "Vigi-
lantes." Their task was harder one
than they were prepared to execute; and
perhaps a thought of wives and children
at home moved them a little to this I'M
wonted leniency. A brief conference,
and the leader said:
"Haye your way. Make the most of
your time. Well not disturb you until
morning"
"You are not deceiving me?" she said,
watching the while with eyes which
seemed to pierce like sharp steel points:
A hoarse murmur ran through the
crowd.
"No! no! Fair play!"
For moment the woman's strength
seemed to fail, and she leaned heavily
against the easement; another, and she
disappeared within, the faithful dog fol-
lowing protectingly, close behind.
The men bivOuacked around the cabin,
disposing themselves for the night, two
or three appointed sentinels keeping Wig
liant watch. The other members of the
| camp, unable to sleep, had kept wakeful
vigil, using our little influence and know
ledge of the accused's mofensive DISPOSE
ton to mitigate, if possible, the prejudice
which we found greater than the real
weight Of evidence against him.
In otfraV two mon had hppO ctohhoG
one seriously, one fatally; and Lots
hand held bloody knife. Innocent en-
have been hanged, even afterfull judicial
trial, under circumstantial evidence far
| less convincing than this.
AS the night wore away, | restlessly
paced the camp. An occasional sound
came from the guarded cabin, but other
wise all was still.
| Once, about midnight, after prolong-
ed scratching at the door, it was
opened to let out the dog. A stream
of light flashed out, but I caught no
glimpse of those within. The dog,
poor fellow, as though his canine spirit
seemed to comprehend the fatal danger
| impending over those he loved, with
dropping head and pendant tail, skunk
through the open SPACE.
Good Lion! Poor fellow! Come
herew / called.
He lifted his head at the sound of my
voice, raised his muZZle mournfully IN
the air, then dropping it again, went on,
soon disappearing in the adjacent chapar-
raj.
At the first faint streak of day the
"Vigilantes" bestirred themselves, and in
knots discussed the grave business before
them The excitement Of the past night
had worn away, and in these calme1
moments not one of those most eager foI
duty then, but wished himself relieved
from the painful responsibility devolving
upon him.
There was yet no sign Of life about the
cabin
Never, I think, did the solemnity OF
the occasion appeal more forcibly to the
hearts of the "Vigilantes." They
were contident-terribly confident
that the prisoner would be found guilty.
With voices subdued and quiet mien
they awaited the action of their leader
who humanely postponed, to the last pos
sible moment, his official summons.
Just as the suns disk appeared above
the horizon, three Of the committee ad
vancing, knocked upon the door. With
eyes red and swollen with weeping, Lots
wife opened it wide.
With a sickening sensation I fail te
describe, awaitad what was to follow
A suggestive rope lay where it had beer
thrown, at the foot Of neighboring tree
With a shudder l recalled the many
times Lot had sat under the shadow Of
its branches, his children playing abou