Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1885-04-16

get MIN alive, 30 they've sent HIN
dead"
Dropping their pans, they all hur
ried down the creek, where the body
lay, with more curiosity than sorrow
for human life was not valued very
highly in California at that time, and
0 thief was as bad as murderer.
But 1.-THE CHASTITY upturned face was
not that of the parson,; it was that Of
Jim Haines, their leader and comrade
Tho best man in the camp.
With dark, scowling faces they
gathered around it and muttered vows
of vengeance.
4 Bill Scrigging came down the rocky
path behind them, and was greeted
I, with questioning silence.
"The parson done it," he said hur-
riedly, ian Scott has got him in the
cave up there now. We found him
a-packin' up the dust ter leave, but
he's done fer poor jim"
Come, boys" said Tom Lawson,
lyon all know what a murderer de-
serves. Get yer shootln' irons ready
an well 60 up and hold court over
that fellow"
@ Each man knew what he meant, but
there was no hesitation.
With revolvers tightly clenched and
stern, set faces, they followed Bill, as
he silently led the way up the wind
ing path; and, as ii in unison with
mans wrath, dark, hurrying clouds
overspread the fair sky the low, dis.
tant rumble of thunder was heard,
and it was evident that one Of Cali.
fornias rare thunder-storms was at
hand.
As they neared the cave the dog
could be seen, his eyes cleaning, his
lips drawn back from his sharp, white
teeth, as with low, angry growls he
guarded his masters murderer; aud
inside, outlined against the blackness,
the parson stood like lion at bay,
his dull eyes flashing, his thin face
flushed and wearing desperate, de-
fant look.
The wretch knew that he had play
ed his game and-lost knew what
fate he must expect at the hands Of
the angry miners who would form
vigilance committee and Judge him in
their own quick, decisive way.
A few PAGES from the cave they
halted, and Tom LsWsap said in a
iona hf----stIsss-'s' -
fParson, come forward |"
< One glance at the 80 revolvers that
\ covered him-one glance at the reso-
lutte implying faces above them--and,
dropping his own weapon, be obeyed
the order, cowed and bewildered by
the superior numbers opposing him.
Out into the light he came, know
ing well that he would never see the
dawn Of another day, and accepting
his fate in sullen dispair.
He looked at the little strip Of blue
sky that remained unclouded-at the
black inky pillows that were sweeping
over tat the dog that jealousy
guarded him--at the stern faces OF
his judges, and at the yawning abyss,
where thousand feet below, his VIC
tim lay, with white upturned face.
Away TO the left the lightning
flashed necessarily and the thunder
was continual jarring roar, seeming
to shake the mountain to its founda-
ton. Evidently the coming storm
was no ordinary one.
Nov, parson, what hev ye ter say
for yourseif?" demanded Lawson.
The wretch folded his arms and an
swered only by half defiant smile.
OF what use was it to say anything
for himself2 There was nothing TO
say. Inside Of the cave lay pile Of
dull, yellow dust--his plunder-balf
concealed in the canvas square in
which he had thought to tie it up.
At the foot Of the precipice lay his
victim and before him stood his Judges
"What hev we ter say why we
shouldn't pass judgement on yer sins2'
continued Lawson.
Nothing" answered the man, sui.
lenly, and dull red shot across his
pale face, while shudder ran through
bis frame.
"That's sensible. Now, boys, we
might as well have this business over
with first as last. /"
Lawson spoke as carelessly as though
"this business" was an every day af-
fair, and they withdrew some 10 PAGES
to decide upon the way TO do it; that
alone was to be settled; bis fate was
certain.
While they were debating, some for
one way, some for another, but the
majority in favor Of throwing him
from the cliff, the rapid clatter of
horses feet sounded along the rocky
path, plainly heard above the roar Of
the thunder.
A horse, fecked with foam and
covered with dust, came around the
bend, and upon his back bearded
man leaned forward and eagerly sur.
veyed the group by the cave as he
urged on hiq flying steed.,
His face was like that Of an exnl-
tant fend as his glance rested upon
the covering wretch guarded by the
huge dog.
SHa ha ! I've found you at last !
he cried, as he flung himself from his
horse and strobe forward, unheeding
the miners, who wonderingly made
way for him. DO you know me,
John Hanson Are you glad to see
me ?"
The man glared at him with wide