Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-08-16

OoOA NAO AoC2A " 1u0utOGy Gn0 ofOnss
that my suspicious were not sooner
aroused to the fact that the
man was driving a stolen team. His
mistrustful glance behind him, and his
eager haste to get over the ground as
rapidly as possible, were suspicious cir
cumstances, to say the least; and when
recall all the details of the event, l
am surprised that did not sooner COM
prehend the situation in which l was
placed.
We had gone some five or six miles at
this reckless pace, the horses keeping
the same speed, up hill or down. =.
Suddenly, upon gaining the summit
of hill, my companion, with glance
over his shoulder, gave utterance to an
expression of surprise. 1 glanced hur-
riedIy back, and as 1 did so
I deserted a party Of horsemen,
comprising dozen or more individuals,
first appearing upon the crest OF the
hill we had left in our rear.
Instantly the truth dawned upon my
mind. The'horsemen were in pursuit
of the stolen team! What should I do
If I remained in the carriage, what
would be the result when overtaken by
the horsemen? All, too well 1 knew!
Horse thieves, when captured In that
region, were dealt with summarily, and
there was little mercy to be expected if
caught in such company, unless, indeed,
the thief should prove magnanimous
enough to clear me of all blame, which
I very much doubted.
As the truth of my perilous situation
flashed upon me, 1 was for a moment
completely dumbfounded; but, regain
ing my self-possession, sternly adj
dressed the man beside me:
"You scoundrel! This is stolen rig,
is it not?"
"You needn't guess again." coolly re-
piled the thief, and he now piled the
whip more vigorously than ever, caus-
ing the horses to leap forward with in
creased speed. "Oh, you're in for it,
80 you needn't squealp'
"I'll show you that I'm not in for it !"
and the next instant sprang from the
carriage, turning complete sommer-
sault as 1 rolled upon the ground.
AS 1 gathered myself up I saw it
would be useless to try to conceal my
self, as the pursuing horsemen were in
full view, coming up the hill on gal
lop, and accordingly, 1 quietly awaited
their approach. As they came up, the
leader of the posse ordered three of the
men to stop and take me in charge
while the balance swept on like the
wind after the retreating carriage.
One of the three men ordered me to
mount behind him on his horse. un-
dertook to protest, but it was useless.
Drawing glistening revolver from his
belt, the man again ordered me to
mount behind him, and I obeyed with
out another word.
We followed on after the retreating
cloud of dust. and in about half an hour
we came up with the party, where
they had overtaken the thief in the
carriage. They were gathered in a
group by the side of the road, evidently
having some dispute as to the disposal
of their prisoner. The majority APP
peared to be in favor of hanging the
man to the limb of a tree at once, while
few thought it best to take him back
to town and let the law deal him
justice.
Whats the use foolin' any more
about it?" growled one of the crowd.
eve caught him with the rig, and he's
owned to it that he stole 'em. Why
not stretch him up and be done with it ?
Thar'n be no more trouble about it
then"
AS these words fell from the lips of
the man a number of others cried out
''That's the talk! Let's swing
him! Hers the rope!" and rope was
fiourished about by one of the men.
Here's splendid limb on this tree
to throw the rope over!" cried an
other.
At this iuncture the leader of the
party said:
Gentlemen, before we proceed
further we will see what the other
prisoner has to say for himself"
The crowd instantly turned their
gaze upon me, and for moment perfect
silence reigned. Then from the lips of
the other prisoner came these words:
"Of course he's guilty! He helped
me steal 'em!"
I was dumb with establishment. Up
to this time I had hoped the man would |
tell the truth of the matter, although 1 |
had some misgivings on that score.
What have you to say TO that, young |
man?" called out the leader.
Gentlemen" 1 answered, in as
steady voice as could command, al
think 1 can prove to you that I am
innocent"
With that I produced a number of |
papers and letters, showing the nature |
of the business had been engaged in |
the preceding summer. The leader |
took them, and after looking them over
q few moments, he observed:
There's no proof In these, young |
man, that you didn't help steal the |
horsesl Have you no better proof to
offer?"
My heart sank within me- I was
obliged to confess that 1 had not,
but I asked that I might be !
permitted to tell my side OF
the story. Upon giving his consent, 1
related in as concise a manner as pos
sible what the reader is already &C.
quainted with. told it in such a sin
cere, straightforward manner that 1
perceived with JOY that I had won the