The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-07-08

: 4
had some company. He wasn't such a
fool as you.s And his company went
back on him. Shot him through the
spine, then tickied his ribs with knife,
He was powerful, active Vigilante, was
the company. He was Too much for the
Illinoyan.r Z.
"Just as you were too much for me-
"Ilike yourpluck now. You do keep
ia stiff upper lip. But it'll be all day
with you the moment Porter claps eyes
lon you. He makes short work of spies
reckon that's your line"
The captive did not reply. AT tina,
moment his thoughts were on home. A
mighty throb rose in his throat--s suf-
locating throb-wrenched from him by
THAT one thought OF home His wife
land child, his boy that he would never
Jsee again 1t was hard. He had PLAYED
y4L bold game and he had lost The VIZ.
liiantes were in league with the road
agents He had been outwitted. The
stage company would be short another
man, and the road would be under trib
lutte 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 a,
the end of rope. He half turned as
he thought Of the rope.
| "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 friend
ly chat, and he pumps some people as
dry as a limekiln."
| "I'll make you an Offer"
"Crack you whip"
"rll fight you fair, like a man. Tie
one arm down, give me pistol, and lie,
US take shot about, you the first"
"Sho', now." #e.
'"Or 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 cayote rose slowly from a sage
brush, looked at them sneakingly over
his shoulders then trotted slowly away
A noisome bird of prey rose slowly
from the carcass Of a mule, harping Its
wings lazily, sailed slowly through the
air, then settled down upon a rib that
protruded from the sand.
The SUMS rays poured down upon the
Iplain until the dust and sand seemed to
melt in the fervid heat. And to crown
all, the captive suddenly experienced the
iagony Of excessive thirst.
| A faint sound IN the distance arrested
his attention. Was that not the sound
OF horses feet2 What if it should be
his friends, the Vigilants Impossible
His morning stroll was unknown to
them. The sound came nearer to him
Then he observed for the first time 8
rocky defle further to the left, as though
chasm lay there, or stream chiseled
out its course across the plains Now
there could be no mistaking the sound
The steady trot of horses feet and the
Iclanhibg Of spurs could be heard, Sud-
denly half dozen horsemen swep,
around a low rock, al sight of whom
the captive grunted.
Here's Captain Jim. Mind your
manner now, for he's the perlitest man
/ ever met"
The captive shivered. When a boy
he was detected in an act that brought
upon him the wrath of the teacher of the
school in the New England village he
would never see more. The eagle eye
lof the teacher singled him out from q
score of mischief makers, and he shiver-
ed as he felt that the punishment awar-
led incorrigibles was unavoidable. But
be 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 manner Dick Hartford
braced himself for the interview with
the leader of the most desperate gang
of miscreants that ever levied tax up
on the travellers who crossed the plains.
This was the man he had dreamed of
circumventing. The case was reversed
The road agents rode forward without
order, and surrounded the horseman and
captive.
"What have you got, Barham ?"
SNAKE your bow. It's Captain Jim"
said Barham. Then to Captain Jim's
query: "That's for you to find out. /
obeyed orders"
What 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 be-
yond the rancho, and off to the noun
taips in the distance. .s a e.
"What have you got to say for your
self, anyhow" Captain Jim's sinister
face clouded still more as he met the
unwavering gaze of the captive.
"Nothing," replied the captive as be
walked in front of the leader.
"You are locked up and the keys are
lost said Captain Jim, sneeringly. II
think / know your business I've q
mind to send Ben Halliday your ears
No. I'll send him your heart. This
trips failure, and Ben ought to know
lit. If you won't talk"
"Pll die firstr' The words were flung
at him so passionately that even Captain
Jim was moved to admiration.
"Die it is, then% exclaimed one of
the gang.
"You are seven to one," said Hart.
ford.
1--WE are in the majority Mostly" said
Jim. "But I'll give you chance You
are plucky Now, what does milkshop
do for you? Come along with US, share
and share alike, and we'll give you ex-
citement, and an opportunity to show
the stuff you are made Of"
ITO make one of gang of murder
ers who are afraid to cope man to man, :"
said the captive.
One of the gang at that moment lev
eled his pistol at Hartford's head But
| the leader ordered him to keep his fire
until there was need for it, ssLet US do
this thing in order," said Captain Jim,
as the scar on his cheek became livid,
then dull red. "We'll ride down to
the old place and pull him up like dog
You got what was on him ?" to Barham
Barham nodded There was not a word