Los Angeles herald., 1891-12-25

| foothills. leu tleul to u more Travelled
road. which showed the marks of a
wagon having travelled it. This road
led them to an old adobe hut, the roof
looking strange to the men accustomed
to seeing shingle and board roofs. AS
the party came nearer to this deserted
home of cowboys in other days they saw
Elliott sitting on an empty pork barrel.
leaning up against the side of the house.
his horse quietly grazing near at hand.
When near enough to recognize him
the party quickened their pace, aud
laughed griinly when they saw him wave
his hand at them. For his part he was
wondering what had brought them to
this out of the way place. but glad of the
company on his way should it also prove
theirs. When they came nearer he won.
dered what made them eye him so in
tently anu kept them all so silent. At Il
given signal each man of the party GOV
cred him with a weapon. and the leader.
acting as spokesman. commanded him
to hold up his hands.
"What in hell has got into you fell
lows?" asked Elliott.
hott, we're dead onto you, and we don't
want any talk from you at all. Hank
Green lived long enough night before
last to tell who killed him, and you've
got to swing for it. Come on, boys"
Elliott's protestations of his innocence
were not even listened to. His weapons
were taken from him, his hands tied be-
hind him, and quicker than it takes to
tell it one of the party had Skinned up a
tree which stood handily near and fas-
tened lasso to limb. The empty pork
barrel was rolled out under it, turned
up on end. and Elliott was stood on it,
while one of the men with no gentle
hand knotted the rope about his neck,
leaning over his saddle to complete the
operation.
His captors gathered about him and he
was commanded to speak out if he had
anything to say. Only slight push
would have sent the barrel from beneath
his feet. He could feel the cold sweat
upon his brow, hear the beating of his
heart. 1t sounded clear and distinct in
his ears as he began his farewell speech
to his lnerciless judges.
"Boys," said he, "you are dead wrong.
did not kill Hank Green. That revol-
yer you have there was mine, and did
fire those empty chambers, but at no
man. | fired them in the air to make
the confusion greater after the row to
give US all q chance to escape before the
sheriff or any other outsiders would dare
to come in upon US. swear that did
not kill that man and do not know who
killed him.
A burst of hoarse laughter was his
only response.
'As God is my judge, men, am in
nocent. Do you think would lie about
it, standing here on the brink of eter-
nifty? If justice will not free me, will
money? l have plenty of it here with
me now. What do you say?"
''Push the barrel, Bill" cried one of
his prosecutors. Lime him out. Well
take the money home to Hank Green's
woman; that's what we'll do"
The old man who acted as leader had
been quietly watching the condemned
mans face. A conviction that somehow
or other Hank was mistaken forced itself
upon him.
"Pardners," said he, "there may be
something in this mans proposition af
ter ALL We followed him here to hang
him, but d-n me if l don't believe we
have treed the wrong toad. never
heard of this mans doing anything that
want square. Did any of your
"Hsng him anyway" spoke up one of
the men.
"No, that's not right, boys. Whereis
that money, Elliott"
Taking off the belt as directed, he led
the way to one side to try and save his
life. 1t was no use to talk to the party
however. The best he could do was
done. Elliott saw the men mount their
horses, and hope rose within his breast
as he saw them unite his mare, and
bringing her with them ride slowly to
his side.
"Elliott," said the leader, "there are
seven of u.s. Four think you ought to
die, three do not. We have decided to
take your valuables and your horse back
to Hanks widow and leave you here,
Just as you are, alive There amt much
prospect Of your getting away, but we
won't murder you and we won't set you
free You swore to God you were inno-
cent. Let your God see to it you are
freed or have mercy on your soul. Come
on, boys, our job is finished"
With that he rode away, the others
following him, and none Of them looked
back as they returned over the way they
had come. Off in the distance the men
noticed the mare throw up her head and
listen a moment and then whinny. One
of them setentiously remarked, "She
must have heard that whistle, boys, but
she'll never hear it again on earth"
''rve got my boots on to die in, any
way" said the man on the barrel, and
he smiled grimly as he thought of the
bravado Of his boyish remark years be-
fore, that he didn't want any lingering
sickness and death in his" There wasn't
a cowardly bone in his body. He really
felt relieved when the men had gone, for
he at least had his thoughts to himself
us long as he lived. There was no one to