Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1892-10-13
THE FINGER OF FIRE.

paCh VI AuusAy "oASoo s"Noo
frenzy has been fred by the scent
of blood. ALdin its midst 9 help
less fellow-being, bound hands and
feet, with the moose of the lynch;
men around his neck.
IrcameA suddenly upon spoh a
scene in one of the settlements on
the Rio Grande, whittier I had
iourneyed to find brother whom
I had not seen for many years.
AS i refined pamy horse near
I the crowd and sglanced sseyel; the
exciting spectacle, aninseiu u9ntary
cry left my lips, ass IsIeeo ogniaad gin Sin
the victim him whom { had come
30 farto see.
Hessaw and knew me sinstantly,
sand though no word came from
him, his spales mute lips appealed
TO my hearti forhelp.
MyappeaTance caused a {hesitaS
stion on the part of the lynch
leaders.
Iauiekly learned thata man, q
stranger int those parts, had been
killed that morning near a small
body Of water a short. distance
!, from the settlement, and that my
brother had been caught in the
very act of striking the death
blow.
Not one of the spectators seemed
to have any, doubt of his guilt;
but who is 80 hardened as to con-
denim his own brother?
I shuddered as I realized Al
nont's peri, and in my own heart
judged him innocent of any crime.
-aHe is my brotherl" I cried.
"Harkl" shouted one of the
onlookers, "the brother of the
murdered man is here for justice.
Upwith him, boysl"
aHoldy' i commanded, rising
in my stirrups as I spoke, "blood
calls for blood Let me: have hold
of that ropel"
The mistake in my identity. had
suggested a way in which | might
enable my brother to escape, and
I resolved to attempt it at what
ever risk. Fortunately there was
little family resemblance between
US.
lsessessff he
: crowd parted, allowing me to
reach his side, when I dlsmounted,
ostensibly to examine the slip
ping-noose.
"It will do" I said, loud enough
tosbe. heard bytall. aNow. help me
lift him on the back Of my horse.
We want to do, this job in some
shape.''
Willing ones sprang to my
assistance, but in the brief inter-
val I cut the prisoners bonds so
they held only by a thread, and
arranged the moose so it could be
thrown off as soon as his arms
were free.
I knew few horses could match
mine in speed, and once he had
cleared the throng, my brother
would be comparatively safe.
He understood my intention and
the moment we lifted him upon
the horse he wrenched his arms
free, threw off the moose, dropped
into the saddle, and giving the
animal smart blow, dashed
through the crowd like q whirl
wind.
gFoolsk I bunglers |" I yelled, hi
will escaped Quick, a horsel"
The affair was done and over &c
suddenly that I was dazed, be-
wildered myself, and before the
spectators could give pursuit
fortunately horses were not handy
--my brother had gained a safe
distance.
Of course there was loud ours
ing over his escape, but I appeared
80 anxious for his recapture, nj
blame was attached to me. tt
carry out the deception I had th'
body of the stranger CAREFUL.
buried, and remained in the plac'
until ] deemed it safe to depart.
Ittwas nearly month before
met my brother, and then h
thanked me with tears in his eye
for my daring assistance
in his escape from the lynchers
TO my surprise, however, b
evaded the subject of the murder
saying simply that no crime ha'
been committed. I did not fee
like pressing the matter, SO tn