Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1888-02-25

WaUteO 10 muk6 Inc CEOSSlU6 LORL ul&QG>
and possibly they feared that the thieves
might attempt to recover the stock. We
passed through several groves Of large
cottonwood trees, and then turned up the
river.
"Do you mind riding all rights" asked
the sheriff.
"No," I replied.
"l'u make it q couple o. donarssextra.
We want 70 cross up here an get ,cross
the pint Of the reservation an over to
Red Bird on the Ntobrafa fore We STOP"
"Go ahead, IAlstay with you"
A little later,I heard the sound Of hooS
behind us. This gave me no uneasiness,
but the moment it struck the ears Of my
companions they took their Wiuchesters
from where thoy were fastened on the
saddle and began to look back intently.
A moment later q dozen horsemen came
around the point Of q bluff ut full speed.
Several Of the party fred at ua. My-com-
panions returned the shots and dashed
away, leaving the horses they were lead
ing. I had no doubt that the thieves
from whom they had recovered the horses
were in pursuit, so followed as fast as I
could. We were in m open place near
the river and headed for some cotton
woods about q quarter Of q mile distant.
Our horses were on the rum, and though
when I glanced back I saw that our pur-
suers were gaining on US, still we could
easily have reached the timber ahead Of
them had not o shot from the party be-
hind hit the deputy sheriff. He fell for
ward and struck, the ground heavily,
while his horse dashed away. The sheriff
stopped and returned to him, while a ball
whistled so uncomfortably close to- my
ears that I concluded, to do the same.
Our pursuers came up and surrounded US.
1t was growing quite dark by this time,
and Icould not well nuke out their feat.
ures, though I thought they looked more
like farmers than horse thieves. In u
moment my suspicious were confirmed.
II reckon we'vc got 70 this time," said
one Of the party, f.an' yei bet we'u chow
go what this ere vigilance committee con-
stdeys good for boss thievesI"
The wounded mau was taken up and
placed on horseback, two men were de-
tailed to guard each one of as and we
started back. tried to explain my con-
ncction with the others, but was silenccl
by the grufr voice Of the leader, who as
surcd me that l would havo a chance to
explain things ut the trial. This relieved
me somewhat, as l had no doubt that I
could easily prove my innocence. We
rode till about midnight, when we came
to a small cluster OF houses called Mineral
Springs. We drew up before a long log
house, which proved to be q saloon and
hotel combined. The bar room was Lit up
and there were o number Of men inside
and horses tied outside. They gave a
loud cheer when they saw the prisoners,
and there was o great deal Of hurried con-
| SvoV.coti0p Nvn ypy1,,o krJ,,n .-.il- -
placed under guard. Twenty or thirty
men gathered In the room, when u man
said:
"Well, boys, we've brought 'em in, an
we got tho bosses. l reckon we'd better
try tho men an fix everything up to.
night. The cheernian will please come
for'ard."
A mar elbowed his way through the
crowd and took his seat on o box behind
a card table. II was Buck Hawkins. l
felt still easier, as I had no doubt he
would recognize me and set INC at liberty.
The trial was very informal, and the
other two were quickly disposed of. They
claimed that they had found tho horses
cached further up tho creek and never
stole them. 1t was admitted that perhaps
they found them hidden, but It was
! charged that some others Of tho gang put
them there. "Bcsidcs," said one man,
oppose they did find 'en cachcd-wha,
business they got tryin' to run 'em ont
the country,''
"That's It," said Hawkins, whose ju.
dicial mind instantly grasped this impor
tant point. "they halr't no business II
oil, an ! reckon we'd better hang EN- fel
luck"
This was asscnted to with Il yell anl
Hawkins started to get up l saw that ]
had been included with tho others and
that l must crowd in my defense. / nc.
cordingly asked them to hold on and told
my story. When finished q short thick
set man showed his hands Il little deeper
into his pockets and said.
Gentlemen, 1 want . remark I've
heered that air story occasionally before
thisl'
This was greeted by u loud laugh and
everybody agreed to it,
''But see here, Hawkins l said, my
heart beginning to sink, "you know me
you've seen mo before"
"Oh, l reckon I seed &c once" he re.
piled without looking at me.
"Thcn you know I'm not o horse thief
Cant say that I do. l saw ye On q
steamboat a couple Of months ago, but
boss thieves can ride on steamboats,"
Like nearly everything else this was
agreed to with loud applause. saw that
iay chances were growing desperate, and
used every argument i'll my power t., con.
vince them that l was innocent. The
men I had fallen in with put in thcil
testimony in my behalf, but 70 ~ effect.
They We're especially anxious tc Wc INT
hang after ono of the committee CLOSELY
cr,.,,t;rt,oI v~a ovl iln,t;O,J v,a ~, NJ,
Billings, one Of the leaders Of the gang
"He looks young, but he's a hard one,'
explained the man So it was settlet
chat 1 should hang with the others. Al
seemed to be in favor OF carrying the sen
tence out Immediately. Here Hawkins
rose and said:
"Gent.emsn, 1t wouldn't be q fnir shake
fer the other boys-wait till mornin' TIL
they come in to help. Besiles, they may
bring In some more Of the gang, an We
can string 'em oil up together"
This was agreed 10 as readily as every
log house a little defiance from tho rest
IND three men detailed to guard us.
We were each given q blanket, and
wrapped mine about mo and sank down
In a corner with the most terrible feeling
I had ever experienced. My past life
came before me wildly, and my mother
and the home I had so recently left with.
out cause rose up before me and caused
mo more bitter anguish than it seemed
could endure. My companions, hardened
by a desperate life and perhaps by former
hair breadth escapes, conversed in whis,
Pers for some time, and seemed I take II
very coolly. After some time the leader
said:
Young teller, I reckon ye got TO dance
on air long with u.s."
Whether I replied or not I do not re-
member, but he continues: