The Republican journal., 1874-12-10


continued the spokesman ''you've stole
horses and cattle for more than two
years past. and tried to put it all on the
Indians, You have murdered men, and
this here traveller would never have seen
You got the Jew from Santa Fe into
your shanty. and robbed and killed him "
NO, Captain y burst out Joe Il bar
that | don't deny the hosses, nor the
cattle ana | may hev Killed a man or
two SO may hev Phil but / never
touched the Jew, nor killed q man in my
own shanty and this here traveller
should have gone his way safe man. ="
Then turning to me, he said "Iou don't
believe meant killing YOU, stranger r.
y DO not " | said very emphatical-
ly tor | meant il.
well, there 5 enough agin YOU without
that, said the spokesman; Though we
know you amt 90 bad as Phil You've
been warned to 60, time after time
MOT regular warned, captain, " argued
Joe; land now We are agoin'"
'No, YOU amt, you bet, said the cap
tain with meaning smile, which ran re-
sponsively through his band: mo. YOU
tant- Your time has come; But YOU shall
! have p fair trial from the vipilantps here
assembled; and whit their Judgment is
you must abide by"
In an instant a sort OF formality was
given to the assembly, the captain and
another being the centre OF semi-circle,
while opposite to them We're the two pris-
oners, guarded by four men | suppose
| there must have been seventeen or eigh-
teen OF the Nigilantes together. With a
rapidity that almost stunned me the trial
began and concluded The prisoners of
tered no particular defence; they seemed
conscious OF its inutiity. and the seyi-
dence'' against them was chiefly accusa-
ton-but it sulficod When the captain
asked the verdict there was unanimous
reply Of "Guilty"; and he addressed the
culprits thus "Say-Joe Blakey and Phil
Marll. you hev heard the evidence in this
honorable committee Of yigilantes. and
the verdict Of guilty We therefore intend
10 string you up, and we mean to clear
the country OF all thieves, right away.
You have ten minutes allowed YOU to leave
any message YOU wish
The apathy Of the two men was extra
ordinary; Phil only scowled savagely at
the speaker; while Joe absolutely turned
to his nearest guard, and asked him for a
chew; and the guard, pulling a cak
OF tobacco from his breast handed it to
Joe, who broke a piece off and began mas
ticating it withap apparent relish. Just then,
! caught his eve, and thought it was fixed
on me with such 4 hopeless vet appealing
look that | could hesitate no longer With
an energy which surprised myself, broke
out INTO IN appeal for the lives OF the CON
demncd, explained how had been receiv-
ed by lhem. and given the best they had,
and how Joe had helped me to find my
horse in the day. II will be security, l
concluded, that they leave the neighb0r-
hood bear letters from good houses in
New Yurk 10 several persons In this vicini-
ty, soma If whom may be known to you,
and which viii prove | cen bear out ny
offel" drew my letters from M pock ct,
and READ the addresses: Captain Hiram
Danks Major Julius Bumper; Sheriff
GoIlopy Colonel Vanwoort Captain Him
pus-
That's me, said r9ngh-l9okiog man
"Give it here"
He wasn't much after the idea ot cap
tain; but, as it could do no hagm, | gave
him the letter lie read il, an2 handed it
to the captain, a leader Of the band, who
real it also.
Yes, that's all squar enough, said
the latter; but the Nigilantes out here
don't vaIlv New Workers, and don't work
according to New York laws"
Nor they don't want no New York
money, said voice from The rear.
Al dissenting murmur indorsed this senti-
ment, and felt things were looking very
black for my hosts. They were evidently
Of the same opinion, for Joe smiled sadly,
and said lit amt Of no use, squire we're
Just as much obliged, though l wouldn't
saw no more, OF You'll may be get into
trouble Yourself Ii things is ready, I'm
ready. " he continued, turning to the lead
er.
"Wen We shan't keep YOU awaiting
long. Joe BlaSev 4" responded the latter
I near the young men a-coming back
they have been choosing & tree
With horror, IexcIaimed 'Inever dreamt
Of such -blooded work as this Look
here. captain; the only reason | don't offer
money is, because ! believe Ishould do more
ba,,,, +ha,, pnod hv If, but If vou hano