Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-09-07

/ by any process Of law, was not in The
presence of any court, could not summon
witnesses. and should decline TO plead
Guilty or mott ~ he commanded. rails.
ing his hand in warning way.
Again hesitated, and then asked him
if he would allow me an attorney and
give me the privilege OF summoning
witnesses.
The Tribunal of Seven knows no
lawy crs-allows no privileges. You are
on trial for your llfe-piead or be con.
demned without hearing? ?"
Forced into it, plead Not Guilty" ;"
and was told TO SIT down as"The Dagger
was motioued to take the stand He
stood near the Judge, related what he
had overheard at the saloon, and further
related that Payson aud myself had long
been known to exhibit bitter animosily
toward the Mormon church and toward
leading Mormons.
Il had not been fifteen minutes since
the muilled bell struck twelve, but now
1t struck again-one! one against me.
demanded that l sho1ld be allowed
TO cross examine the witness, but the
judge raised his hand, and the second
Avenger took the stand. His testimony
was about the same. except that he
reported several fictitious conversations
TO make out that had sought to induce
certain Mormons to leave the church.
lie sat down aud the bell struck again
twol The other two were called up. test
flied to suit the occasion and the bell
struck Tor each, and then the Judge rose
and asked:
Prisoner, what have you to say to
this ?"
Nothing" replied.-"not n single
word You convicted me even before
you saw me, and your tribunal is n great
humbug. am an officer OF the United
States government. and if you dare to
lay finger on me. your cursed ad'ller.
Gus tribe hasn't lives enough TO satisfy
the revenge which will be iaken,"
Ny temper was up, and | cared not
what | said. believed they meant to
kill me. and was determined TO free my
mind, il no more. also had slight
hope that bold course, and putting in
Uncle Sam Us bAcker, might cause
them to hesitate. But they were Nor
mons-arrogsnt, powerful, fearless.
lila! ha ha." laughed the Judge. his
lips never moving. "lIa! ha! hal"
laughed each iuror-a laugh which made
chill after chill creep up my back.
Prisoner at the bar. stand up, and
receive your sentenced" commanded the
judge as jurors rose up and each made u
sign to show that | had been found
guilty. Prisoner, you have had fair
and impartial trial, end jury OF your
peers pronounce you guilty. The sen
tencc of this tribunal is that you be turned
over 10 the Avenging Angels, to be taken
back to Your friends !"
Did | hear Alright? Had l succeeded in
Tightening the tribunal Was l to be
restored TO liberty? thought so for halt
q minute.
"Hal ha ha !" laughed the judge-a
laugh which made my flesh creep.
"Ha ha ha!n laughed the jurors and
Avengers-a laugh sounding like the
terrible yah! YAH" of the Gagged hyenas.
The judge moved slowly down. the
jurors formed by twos. and the seven
marched slowly out OF the room their
long black gowns trailing behind. was
was watching them. when was suddenly
jerked down from behind. hand cutfed
again. and tue four avengers carried me
along on their shoulders. We went
through hall, down pair of stairs
made a turn to The right. passed the
length OF another hall, and then entered
a room about fifteen feet square.
was placed on my feet, the handouts
removed, andNthen, while three OF the
men drew their knives. the fourth ad.
vanced TO the wall and seized the end OF
a cord. He made q motion. and the
three raised their knifes.
They were going to murder me
They came closer, and retreated.-
Closer and / stood very nearly in the
centre of the room, facing them. Not q
word was spoken. Words were not
needed with them. and l knew that no
entreaties OF mine could change my iate'
Them at the cord .gave ii u pull;
felt trembling motion beneath my feet.
gave loud yell and long leap just as
trap door fell down. opening TO my
gaze q deep black pit. An odor came
up-an odor of decaying bodies. smell
so strong that it sickened me. The
avengers were on one side and ON the
other. They waited u moment, surprised,
and then, with u flourish OF their knives.
advanced to throw me into the pit. The
nearest was not three feet away, when
we heard sound that made them pause.
There was bang, crash. rush ol feet
and rattle of muskets, and six soldiers
from the camp headed by Payson, rushed
into the room. There was shout !;
several shots; one OF the avengers
tumbled backward into the pit, and when
the smoke rose up. the other three were