The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-02-11
THE SHERIFF OF SISKIYOU.
By Bret Harte,
IN TWO PARTICIPANT T.



collected upon little bluf which overlooked
the rude wagon road that was tue only ap-
proaeh TO the settlement. In general appear
aaoe the men differed but little from ordinary
miners. although the foreign elemont-shown
in certain Spanish peculiarities OF dress and
color -predominated, and some OF the men
were further distinguished by the delicacy OF
education and sedentary pursuits. Yet Wynn
yards Bar was city OF refuge. and comprised
among its inhabitants number who were
wanted" By the state authorities, and Its
actual attitude at that moment was one Of
open rebellion against the legal power. and Of
particular resistance to the apprehension by
warrant Of one OF its prominent members
This gentleman. Major Overstone. then astride
Of q grey MUSTANG and directing the move
ments OF the crowd. had few days before
killed the Sheriff OF Slskiyou county. who had
attempted to arrest hlmifor the double offence
Of misappropriating certain corporate funds
Of the State and the shooting OF the
editor who had imprudenuy exposed him.
The lesser crime Of homicide might have been
ovsrlookod By the authorities. but it's repeti-
tion upon the body OF their own ovorzenlous
and miseulded official could not pass unohal-
Hanged. II they expected to arrest Overstone
for the more serious offence against property.
so IL was known that q new Sheriff had been
appointed and was coming to VINEYARDS lar
with an armed posse. But 1t was also under
stood that this invasion would be resisted By
the Bar to its last man.
All eyes were turned upon fringe OF laurel
and butternut that encroached upon the road
half mile away. where ID seemed that such
of tho Inhabitants who we're Missing from the
blum were hidden to give warning or retard
the approach OF the posse. A gray haze slowly
rising between tho fringe and the distant hill
aide was recognized as the dust Of a cavalcade
passing along the Invisible highway. In the
hush Of expectancy that followed the irregular
chatter OF hoois the sharp crack of rifle and
sudden halt were family audible. The men.
scattered In groups on the blum. exchanged a
smile OF grim satisfaction.
Not so their loader! A quick start and an
oath attracted attention to him. To their sur
prise he was looking in another direction. but
IS they looked. too they sawisnd understood
the cause. A file OF horsemen hitherto unde-
tscted. were slowly passing along the little
ridge on their right Their compact accoutre-
msnts and the yellow braid on their blue
Jackets. distinctly seen at that distance. showed
them to be an escort OF United States cavalry.
Before the assem- lage could realize this new
invasion q nearer clatter Of hoois was heard
along the hiRhroad. and one OF the ambuscad-
ing party dashea up from the fringe OF woods
below His face was flushed. but triumphant.
"A regular skunk! by the living hokeyl" he
painted, pointing to the faint haze that was
again slowly rising above the invisible road.
They backed down as soon as they
hand aud got q hole through thor new Sher-
IFS hat But what are you lookin' at? What's
upT
The leader i'm patiently pointed with dark
ening face to tho file.
Reg lars. by gum calculated the other
But Uncle Sam amt in this game! Wot
right have they"
Dry uni" said the leader
The escort was now moving at right angles
With the camp. but suddenly halted. almost
doubling upon itself in some evident commo-
tion. A dismounted figure was seen momen-
tarily flying down the hillside. lodging from
bush to bush until lost In tbs underbrush. A
dozen shots were fired over it's head. and then
the whole escort wheeled and came Gathering
down the trail in the direction OF the camp A
single riisrless horse. evidently that OF the
fugitive. followed.
man ot you. and cover them as they enter the
Eolch| shouted the leader. But not shot
until give the word. scatter"
The assent laRe dispersed like a startled
village o! prairie dogs, SGnstting behind every
r sons rottsd to the head the sTsh
The nine cavalrymen eamo smart.y up in
twos yonng officer leading. The single lg-
s%s iSS res said TO % Lis bis Sq irad S
aStio"isss on n's The s r"sd The Soans oSs
unsworded hand hung quietly ~ his thigh
their saddles Yet at that moment every mnn
81 them knew shat they were covered 10y hum
dred rides And .shotauns l.yelled from every
since wh-n." said Major Overstona. with an
mat r. "Re tone hs apa
SompaRtDna have the Ninth United States
Ssyary helpsd e serve a State courts petit
We are hunting a deserter-n half breed
ssSnt-who has Just escaped u.s." returned the
figure in its slim, cadet-liks snlaTtnrss of
selted tunie-- hnt very quiet and level; although
~. haze Was STU flushed with the shock and
The relaxation OF relief went through the
sas 1is E.,inf sa%H re ts soldiers were
men had Teen IN do their leaders bidding
they We're well aware thai a, momentary vic
RuaJshed anI meant the ultimate dispersion
q tho camp, and quiet as these Innocent in;
their lives ,leaT!y. The EN- battlsd despeTa-
does glanced apxiousiy at their leader; the
soldiers. on the contrary. looked straight be-
Procsss or no process" said Major Over
sr Your dsssrteS We dos give up pine mon IN %S Sn
yards bar. And they didn't teach you at the
A Ss an. 10 stop to to take prisoners when
Bedsd they didn't teach you, Capt, Over
ssSnS to engage = battery a. Csrro GordG with
20 you How, sir. S0mmGndin the thayyes aud
rutnkps you do"
"kiience P' said the young officer
Tho sleeve OF the sergeant who had spoken
with tie eheyEons OF long service upon it
vent uP,to "a salute and dropped again over
hIs caIbine. as no stared stoldlY before him.
But HE shot had told, A flush OF Mingled
pride and shame passed over Overstone's face.
Oh. its you. harphyp' .hs said, with an
sneeted laugh; and YOU haven't Improved in
discipline with your stripes"
The young officer turned his head slightly
Attention"
One moment mere" said Overstone. COM
Tag forward Il have told YOU that We don't |
give up any man who seeks our protection
But )" he added. with a half careless. half con-
temptuons wave OF his hand and a significant !
glance at his followers. " We don't prevent YOU |
camp is before YOU"
The young oficsT continued without looking
q him: ForwaTd-tn two hles- open order. |
The little troop moved forward. passed MAJOR |
OveTstope At the head OF the gully. aud spread |
out on the hillside. Tho assembled camp. still |
armed. lounGing out Of ambush here and there. |
ironically made way for them To pass. A few
moments OF this farcicAl quest and glance at
the tmpsnetrably wooded heights around GD-
nal ha mi ha