Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-03-22


eating throb-wrenched from him by
that one thought of home. His wife
and child, his boy that he would never
see again. 1t was hard. He had played
bold game and he had lost. The Vigi-
lantes were in league with the road
agents. He had been outwitted. The
stage company would be short another
man, a1d the road would be under tri-
butte as before. His plans, so carefully
concealed in his own breast, were known
to the murderous gang. Perhaps in less
than an hour he would be dangling at
| the end of a rope. He half turned as he
thought of the end.
None O. that, unless you want your
early pill, in which case I'm bound to
accommodate ye. Porter didn't say we
were to run risks. He does like a friendly
chat, and he pumps some people as dry
as limekiln."
"I'll make you an Offer"
"Crack your whip"
"I'll fight you fair, like man. Tie
one arm down, give me pistol, and let
lis take shot about, you the first"
| "Sho', now"
cor I'll allow you two to one."
"Yes, see you can allow most any
thin, but unless you move right on, and
keep movin', I'll make short work
of ye."
A coyote rose slowly from sage
brush, looked at them sneakingly over
his shoulder, then trotted slowly away.
A noisome bird of prey rose slowly from
the carcass of mule, tapped its wings
lazily, sailed slowly through the air,
then settled down upon a rib that pro-
truded from the sand. The suns rays
poured down upon the plain until the
dust and sand seemed to melt in the fer
vid heat. And, to crown all, the captive
suddenly experienced the agony of ex-
cessive thirst.
A faint sound in the distance arrested
his attention. Was that not the sound
of horses feet? What if it should prove
to be his friends-the Vigilantes I'M
possible. His morning stroll was I'M
known to them. The sound came nearer
and nearer to him. Then he observed
for the first time rocky defi1e further
to the left, as though a chasm lay there,
or q stream chiseled out its course across
the plains. Now there could be no mis-
taking the sound. The steady trot of
horses feet and the clanking of spurs
could be heard. Suddenly half dozen
horsemen swept around low rock, at
sight of whom the captor grunted.
"Here's Captain Jim. Mind your
manners now, for he's the perlitest man
you ever met"
The captive shivered. When a boy
he was detected in an act that brought
upon the wrath of the teacher of the
school in the New England village he
would never see more. The eagle eye
of the teacher singled him out from a
score of mischief makers, and he shiver-
ed as he felt that the punishment award
ed incorrigibles was unavoidable. But
he braced himself, walked out promptly
to the middle of the floor the moment
his name was called, and, to his lasting
surprise, was let go with mild rebuke.
In much the same mahner Dick Hart
ford braced himself for the intervied
with the leader of the most desperate
gang of miscreants that ever levied tax
upon the travellers who crossed the
plains. This was the man he had
fdreamed of circumventing. The case
was reversed.
The road agents rode forward without
order, and surrounded both horseman
and captive.
"What have you got, Barham ?"
Make your bow. It's captain Jim, "
said Barham. Then to Captain Jim's
query: "That's for you to find out.
obeyed orders"
What a magnificent front the captive
presented. His gaze was as clear and
steady and level as though he were look
ing right through Captain Jim, away
beyond the rancho, and off to the noun
tains in the distance.
" What have You got to say for your
self, anyhow ?" Captain Jim's sinister
face clouded still more as he met the I'M
wavering gaze Of the captive.
Nothing" replied the captive, as
he walked in front of the leader.
"You are locked up, and the keys
lost" said Captain Jim, sneeringly. 81
think I know your business. I've a
mind to send Ben Halliday your cars.
No, I'll send him your heart. This
trips failure, and Ben ought to know
it. If you won't talk"
I'll die first p The words were flung
at him so passionately that even Captain
Jim was moved to admiration.
"Die it is, then p exclaimed one ol
the gang.
=. "You are seven to one," said Hart
, ford.
"We are in the majority mostly,
, said Jim. "But I'll give you chance
You are plucky. Now, what does 0
milksop life do for you? Come alone
J with us, share and share alike, and well
give you excitement, and opportunity tc
show the stuff you are made of"
" To make one of gang of murderer
who are afraid to cope man to man,
said the captive.
One of the gang at that moment level
ed his pistol at Hartford's head Blu
the leader ordered him to keep his fir,
until there was need for it, "IIet us d,
, this thing in order," said Captain jim
as the scar on his cheek became livid
then dull red. Gwen ride down Il
! the old place and pull him up like
. dog. You got what was on him % t.
t Barham. Barham nodded There wa
[ not a word said further. The part,
} rode on perhaps twenty minutes, whei
. the defile deepened, narrowed, and tn
r rocks shut over the horsemen's heads
| Then at word from jim the men dis
$ mounted. Advancing to Hartford, h
8 said, with cruel smile
4 !" Say your prayers, you have got fiv
s minutes to live. Mount that stone.
T There was ledge above the captive
Q head, with o iutting point, over whicl
q a rope was thrown, and a moose made a
( the end of it.
, "Will you allow me to speak ?"
9 "Blow away" answered Captain jim
Q / NAV aR well tell Won we know al