The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-02

| 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
| 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 a 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. It sounded clear and distinct in
his ears as he began his farewell speech
to his merciless judges.
"Boys," said he, "you are dead wrong.
l did not kill Hank Green. That revol-
yer you have there was mine, and did
fire those empty chambers, but at no
man. I fired them in the air to make
the confusion greater after the row to
give us all a chance to escape before the
sheriff or any other outsiders would dare
to come in upon US. / swear that l did
not kill that man and do not know who
killed him."
A burst of hoarse laughter was his
only response.
GAS 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? have plenty of it here with
me now. What do you say?"
'Push the barrel, Bill cried one of
his prosecutors. cline 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.
"PardDers," said he, 'sthere may be
something in this mans proposition af-
ter all. We followed him here to hang
him, but d-n me if don't believe we
have freed the wrong toad. l never
heard of this mans doing anything that
want square. Did any of your"
'Hang him anyway" spoke up one Of
the men.
'No, that's not right, boys. Whereas
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 us. 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 limo
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 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"
GIVE 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 "didnt want any lingering
sickness and death in his" There wasn't
cowardly bone in his body. He really
felt relieved when the men had gone, for
he at least had his thoughts to himself
as long as he lived. There was no one to
jeer, no curious spectators around to
worry him and he calmly awaited the
end. He could feel the barrel oscillate
beneath his feet, knew that there was
but few inches slack in the rope, and
that a false movement and slight
change in equilibrium meant strangula-
ton and death.
His card playing proclivities stood
him in good stead. He was good
enough poker player to know that the
game consisted pure and simple of rela-
tive calculation of percentages and OPP
portunities. He who takes his money
upon the torn or chances Of cards soon
learns one lesson-to patiently bide his
time.
The last words Of The leader of the
party kept constantly recurring to him.
1t was with no religious sentiment that
he thought of possible deliverance, but
with the conviction that he deserved
better than a death like this,
Seemingly in sympathy with his situa-
ton and his mood, the twilight hours
now fast approaching brought warning
of storm. He noticed this with pleas
ure, for both hunger and thirst had as
serted themselves He awaited the soft,
cooling rain which he saw approaching
up over the mountains with feeling Of
relief The leaves had fallen off the
tree, winter was so near at hand, and be
turned his face to the sky TO catch the
fast falling drops upon his face and
tongue. The moisture refreshed him,
and he felt his courage revive and hope
once more spring up within his breast.
The long roll of distant thunder and the
vivid bursts OF lightning did not even
awe him. II seemed like great battle,