The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1882-03-10

They wero not long left undisturbed,
for time was passing, the tempest wa
increasing in severity, and the commit
tee had some distance to ride that night.
In five minutes the judge again called
them, and this time the obedient twelve
gave the verdict ''Guiltyr'
''Quite correct" said the judge; 81
approve. It's a verdict Garry out
the sentence, yew." he added to two Of
his associates. ''And now, gentlemen,
1 think we've done our duty; the bosses
wait. Hev ye any thing to sayP' he
inquired of the criminal.
The poor man pleaded earnestly for
mercy, and protested his innocence
wildly, but it was useless. The MAORI
ty of the party then left the hut, and
the two men. placing their unhappy
prisoner astride a mule, upbound him,
except for q turn of the rope on his left
wrist, and walked beside him to the
place of execution. There his outer
clothing was taken from him, and his
Tboots-those fatal witnesses-laid aside.
He was then fastened to a tree. The
place Of execution had been well chosen.
1t was a low point jutting out into the
river. just above the rapids. The cur
rent was running swiftly. swollen by
the melting SHOWS and the tremendous
rain, which was still descending In tor.
rents. From this point the river de-
Icended rapidly. Higher up, but then
Dbscured by the thickly-falling rain and
mist. was a high ridge, which projected
Rcross tire river, and formed n sort of
bowl-like enclosure. in it the centre Of
which was (and is) u small wooden
island. Dn,ov this spot the river di-
vides. 1t Iccomcs narrower, and pass
Ing on e light side over n small rocky
brcakwitc,. or natural barrier, it takes
u tremendous leap sheer one hundred
feet over the rock, spreading out
Fl, m thr bl-o for many feet in its de-
scent. o. the left side of tie island
the steam has worn away the rock to a
gre t est at, and OH that side the water
hurries doNn a rapid at a steep angle,
and ut the bottom meets deep water,
which drives in a swift current over to
tho rig t shore, to n strip of beach on
low groumd-a watering station for ami
mals.
The T. en- CHARGED with the execution
had well chosen the place. The pris-
oncr Stood with hands clasped as one of
his guardians was making prcpar. tons,
and The other stood really TO fire Should
the prisoner attempt to es ape. One
wac hiI fobAh5 bft NOAN hISh HS'r'
boring tree, underneath which the
niue had been already led, when IN
exclamation from him made The other
guar Ian turn his head. TIC quick
cve'l Nj xican seized bis opportunity.
With swift sweep of his right hand
lie severed with the concealed knife
the rope ut his wrist, and with n des-
pcra'o backward spring ho threw him
self into the eddyin-, boi ing river.
Tho heavy SPLASH Was th+ first init
malior that the other men had of tic
Mexican's escape; and. with revolver
ready, one waited till tic swimmer
should reappnar. lie rose. aud struck
II boldly for the Opposite shore. The
mar raised the pistol, whea his COM
panion stayed his arm.
Give him n chance. Bob he said.
"Ycu or ms may want n good turn
some day; and. besides, l don't b'lieve
he lifted them animals. Soft Smiths
IN idjit."
Wei, nlebbe yer r'g:t," replied the
other. rs he returned his pistol. Poor
chap!' lie added, with u tou Ii of feel
ing To which he had long been i s'rang-
er. Poor chap! the fall will s.ve us
the b, anyhow"
Hes gomez replied the other. HE
q git over, eh?' %
You bctr' exclaimed his compan-
ion. Hes right enough, l do declare;
he'll git out now!'
Meantime the unfortunate fugitive
was struggling vigorously to gain the
centre of the stream. He was swim
ming strongly, hand over hand, and
every now and then he cast q glance at
the ridge of rocks that friuged the rap
| II I.-1..- - A., ell 80 ,loo. l,,, b
bred feet. Could he clear this he
might be saved. He was making good
way, but ever being drawn nearer and
nearer by the resislless current to his
destruction. The men on shore watched
his progress with feverish anxiety.
Another yard or two and he would gain
the rocky ledge which ended the fall.
and where the less dangerous rapids
began. Would he lastP
The men clasped hands in their
strong excitement, and by a simultane-
Gus impulse cheered the swimmer on.
The poor wretch heard it. Itgave him
courage. One minute moro and he
would be clear; with renewed energy
he strove. and with a despairing effort
clutched the rock. His legs swung for
a second into the milky mass of water
above the cataract. Could he bear the
strainP A cheer from shore; a mighty
effort-he swung himself over, and
with a long, sweeping stroke dashed
dow2 the rapids and disappeared.
The men turned away, breathing
more freely, and returned as hastily as
possible to camp to report. The storm
still continued; the river had run up
the creek, and it was nightfall ere, wet
to the skin and chilled to the bones,
they gained the saloon. Here all was
confusion; twenty tongues speaking at
once, and all condemning soft Smith,"
The Judge was present, and as the
two men entered no said. I'm kinder
sorry we hanged that Mexican. We've
done him an Injury, boys. I'm afeard."
"Save trouble In tho end. mcbbe."
said another. But the - Ige shook his
head.
whats the mattor?" inquired tie
late corners
why, Soft Smi his n fool. He's
found his beasts safe ut home. where
they went o themselves, having broke
halter. The tracks was the McXican's
tracks, but only to his own location.
We've done That man wrong, and I'm
ready to n 90 ize; / can't say fajrer.
Here's his Iir .lthr'
A vol : from tho doorway / phi d. n
dri k 10 thai!' and ns MI eyes were
turned IN 10 direction OF the sound, n
ragged. ha,G-uaScd form, the limbs
bruised anil brcd'rg from deep scratch
rs walk i up To- tho bar. Terror sat
mp eve Y countCnancC. II Q visitor
was III A~i,xcan.
did yc-didn't yo harr him?n
GaS ed t G sturdy but sup rsiitiOus
Judge 10 is 20 utics.
90 o. NM ~ rnnlinl nnn of Tho mir