The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-10

armed with repeating rifles.
The lille had proceeded well up INTO the
ravlne, and at point where the brush was
thickest Garland suddenly broke from
the ranks, dived into the chaparral and
was Immediately lost to sight: The rear
guard, who had seen the break, fired shot.
1t was instantly echoed by one from the
tower and thereupon all the guards avail
able for pursuit turned out, some afoot and
others mounted. The file of prisoners was
returned at double-quick to the prison and
Locked within. 1t was now matter OF
score of armed men and Calling gun
against one man who carried crowbar
The mounted guards quickly depIoyed
so as to cover the entire raVine and all its
approaches and held their carblnes ready
1or action, The guards on loot formed
VIDE circle and began to beat the brush.
For all their caution two guards on foot,
while pushing their way close together
through the brush were greeted with
terrible surprise. Before they could real
lie the lmminence of their peril a heavy
crow bar had sunk into the skull of one and
the other was tripped. The next moment
a powerful knee was crushing his chest
and merciless grip was upon his throat.
The convict presently arose and with
crowbar in one hand and a rifle in the
other began to dodge and dive through the
brush. Hearing a cracking he stopped
and listened, trying hard to discover the
direction of the sound. While thus
standing he heard a shot at close range
and at the same time felt something sting
MN as might the bite of snake.
he sprang aloft and involuntarily cried
out, and then tore blindly through the
brush like mad bull. The refractory
branches nearly stripped OFF all his cloth
ing and tore his skin in hundred places.
From these shallow wounds the blood
flowed profusely. Onward and upward he
went and finally bounded forth into the
clear space on the slope of the hill near the
summit AT that moment half dozen
rifles opened fire and an instant later there
came the fierce, quick fire of the Calling
gun and tearing up of earth and dust all
about him. For second he paused to
raise the rifle and fire; a saddle was
emptled on the brow of the hill.
But his sane purpose, if he had one, was
IN the next second abandoned. Throwing
down the rife and picking up the crowbar
ana swinging it on high, he ran to the top
OF the hill, where he stood openly before
every weapon that was hunting his life.
Here while blood streamed down his half
naked body, and grasping the crowbar in his
lett hand, he waved the right in defiance
and shouted unintelligible oaths. The fire
from the guards reopened. One volley
was sufficient. He dropped the crowbar,
threw UP his hand and sank to the ground.
The guards began to close In.
But they soon halted at a safe distance.
The convict struggled to a rest upon one
elbow, then sat up, then unsteadily came
to his feet. bringing the crowbar with him.
The captain of the guard, who led the at
lacking force, had ordered a cessation of
the firing.
The silence and stiffness which now in
vested the lonely man onsthe brow OF the
hill added to the tragic aspect of the scene.
He looked about him, his eyes blazing, his
breath coming deep and hard; but he stood
firmly on foot. For minute he looked
from one of his mortal enemies to another,
an unreasonable hatred, contempt and
defiance shining through the CRIME and
blood OF his face. In hoarse, deep voice
he shouted:
Come on, you dogs, and murder brave
man In his tracks! See-I am not afraid
to die; yes, to die, you towards, you
herders OF helpless men, you coldblooded
murderersl Come closer and see how a
brave man can die-how brave man can
die free, in the open air, and not behind
lgnomlnlous and degrading bars. Free,
free Once more out and abroad in Gods
free, wide world, there to die like man,
and free man! Who would be a grovel-
ing convict, cringing under the brutal COM
mands of slave-drivers, these hired bulldog
guardians of infamous laws?"
He choked and lurched and somesblood
escaped from his mouth, but he straight
ened himself at once and resumed his
TRADE.
Yes" he cried, "to die out in Gods
wide, free world, and not like dog in
pit; to die fighting, and drunk with the
blood OF men. Come on. you towards!
Why don't you finish the lion that you've
brought to bay? Are you afraid of this
living corpse that you have torn to pieces
with lead? Ha, ha, hal Afraid of man
who breathes through holes in his chestl
I'm not prisoner now, you dogs, but
free mana free man-standing out alone
and free in Gods wide world, as free as
the freest man that ever lived!''
He choked again, and lurched heavily,
and then sank slowly to the ground. The
guards closed in. When they had come
near they found the convict lying dead.